TCI Police Chief Links Haiti Instability to Regional Crime Surge in Major Caribbean Security Briefing

Georgetown, Guyana – In a sobering presentation at the 39th meeting of the Association of Caribbean Chiefs of Police (ACCP), newly appointed Turks and Caicos Islands Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey issued a stark warning about the escalating threat of transnational crime, zeroing in on the worsening situation in Haiti and its ripple effects across the region.

Held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Guyana under the theme “United Against Crime,” the ACCP gathering brought together senior police leaders from across the Caribbean. Commissioner Bailey used the platform to deliver an in-depth slide presentation on the Caribbean’s illicit firearms crisis, with Haiti’s deteriorating state highlighted as a critical flashpoint.

Bailey explained that the collapse of law and order in Haiti has made the country both a receiver and transmitter of illegal weapons. “The illegal movement of weapons, ammunition, and other contraband into Haiti and across Caribbean borders has been greatly aided by the worsening instability,” he said. Intelligence reports, he added, reveal that the vast majority of these weapons originate in the United States, with Florida serving as a key export hub.

In a striking case study, Bailey revealed that Haitian gangs are not only using these weapons domestically but are also involved in regional arms trade. “There is a booming trade in food-for-weapons between Haiti and Jamaica,” he stated, pointing to a complex transnational criminal network that spans air and sea routes.

The instability in Haiti has also driven an increase in human trafficking, with Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) among the nations experiencing a surge in irregular migration. “This instability is fueling human trafficking, especially to the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Bailey warned.                                                                                                                                                                                   According to Bailey, the growing flow of arms and people from Haiti is exacerbating violent crime in the region. TCI recently topped the region’s per capita homicide rate for the second year in a row—an escalation directly linked to gun violence. From January 1 to April 23, 2025, local police seized seven illegal firearms, including high-powered, military-style weapons.

Throughout his presentation, Bailey emphasized the importance of unified regional responses, praising CARICOM IMPACS for its work on intelligence sharing and interdiction operations. He also highlighted the significance of joint legal action, referencing the Caribbean’s support for Mexico’s lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers.

Bailey called for an aggressive, intelligence-driven strategy that includes financial investigations, targeting facilitators like corrupt professionals and businesses, and boosting legal frameworks across the Caribbean. He concluded by urging Caribbean nations to deepen collaboration with international bodies such as INTERPOL and the UNODC.

“Haiti is not just a local crisis,” Bailey said. “It’s a regional threat with consequences for every member of CARICOM. We must treat it as such.”

As the Caribbean grapples with the deadly consequences of illicit firearms and transnational crime, the TCI Commissioner’s presentation reinforced that unity and proactive policing are no longer optional—they are urgent necessities.