Drug Squad
Headquarters: Fort George, St. George’s
Telephone number: +1 (473) 435-2028
Commander: Assistant Superintendent of Police Simon Dickson
Responsibilities:
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Intelligence-gathering on illegal drug trade
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Enforcement of Grenada’s Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act
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Reduction and prevention of illegal drug use and supply
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Collaboration with regional and international law enforcement agencies on drug matters
Established on the 1st of July 1990, Drug Squad was created primarily to deal with the vast increase in the cultivation of cannabis on the island, and subsequently, to deal with both cannabis and cocaine originating out of South America. Retired Detective Inspector 352 Joseph CYRUS became the first Head of Drug Squad.
Two years later, Grenada saw the introduction of a new legislation, the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act 1992, which was later amended in 2002. This act not only deals with cannabis and cocaine, but all other substances listed under the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol and 1971 UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. This Act became the ‘Bible’ under which the Drug Squad operates and later The Proceeds of Crime Act 1992, which was amended in 2012, and then the Money Laundering Act 1999 (amended in 2001 and 2002), which deals with monies and other assets derived out of offences listed in the Drug Act.
In 2004, after the passage of Hurricane Ivan, the Drug Squad became an independent Department, of the Royal Grenada Police Force, headed by Supt Edvin MARTIN.
Today, the Drug Squad continues with its mandate, broadening its scope in terms of operations and investigations, while collaborating with regional and international law enforcement agencies on drug matters.