Comparative and competitive advantages of drug trafficking in the Southeastern Caribbean Islands

284 Pages·2015·11.67 MB·English

by  Ayanna Armstrong

Atlanta University Center
DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta
University Center
ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library
12-1-2012
Comparative and competitive advantages of drug
trafficking in the Southeastern Caribbean Islands: a
comparative study of Trinidad and Tobago. St.
Vincent and the Grenadines.
Ayanna Armstrong
Clark Atlanta University
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comparative study of Trinidad and Tobago. St. Vincent and the Grenadines." (2012).ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff
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ABSTRACT
POLITICAL SCIENCE
ARMSTRONG, AYANNA R. B.A. SPELMAN COLLEGE, 2004
M.B.A. CLARKATLANTAUNIVERSITY, 2006
COMPARATiVEAND COMPETITIVEADVANTAGES OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IN THE
SOUTHEASTERNCARiBBEAN ISLANDS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO AND ST.VINCENTAND THE GRENADINES
Committee Chair: F.S.J. Ledgister, Ph. D.
Dissertation dated December 2012
The purpose ofthis study was to examine drug trafficking and the major challenges that it
poses to Caribbean development, particularly the cases ofSt. Vincent and the Grenadines
and Trinidad and Tobago. The analysis offered, expresses the specific challenges to SVG
and T&T due to the proliferation ofDTPOs. The study’s goals were: 1) To ascertainto
what extent is drug trafficking a majorproblem forthe region, 2) To identify what are the
comparative and competitive determinants ofdrug trafficking inthe Southeastern
Caribbean islands, 3) To establishto what extent does supply and demand become
important to the Drug Trade in the Caribbean, and Finally, 4) the identify the implications
ofthis research for the Greater Caribbeanregion. A comparative evaluation ofCaribbean
political economy was used in conducting this research. The primary data collectionwas
administered through Elite interviews withpolicy makers and officials inthe Case study
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countries ofTrinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 26 interviews were
conducted over a 6 month period be 2011. This study discusses the political economy of
the illegal narcotics trade among the small island states ofthe Southeastern Caribbean. It
argues that the growth ofdrug trafficking operations is the product ofthe comparative
and competitive advantages that these islands’ economies benefit from globally, relative
to other states.
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COMPARATIVE AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF DRUG TRAFFICKING
IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AND ST.VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
A DISSERTATION
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
BY
AYANNA R. ARMSTRONG
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
DECEMBER2012
© 2012
AYANISTA R. ARMSTRONG
All Rights Reserved
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to give my highest thanks to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. My
Mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Armstrong, My Father, Dr. Aubrey Armstrong and my sister, Ms.
Aisha Armstrong, for all their unwavering love and continuous assistance, support and
beliefin me. I dedicate this dissertation to you.
I would also like to especiallythank my mentor and instructor Dr. Fragano S.J.
Ledgister, and also Dr. Hashim Gibrill, Dr. Ivor Mitchell, Dr. Abi Awomolo,
Dr. William Boone, Dr. Robert deJanes, and Ms. Owendolyn Donaway ofClark Atlanta
University, for their instruction and guidance and patience.
A special recognition goes out to my extended family and friends, who have
assisted me in editing, researching and finishing this manuscript. Volma Westfield,
Ainsley Smith, Alwyn Westfield, Ben Jackson, Ricardo Wheatley, especially Damien
Westfield, and Doret Canton.
I would also like to acknowledge to my extended family and friends who
encouraged me and supported during this process. Special recognition also goes to all of
the respondents and interviewees who took the time to assist me with my research.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge my grandparents and great grandparents, all
educators in one way or another, who directly influenced my pathtowards and through
academia. Lucille Grant Chinapoo, Basil Augustus Armstrong, Randolph Augustus
Nathu, Eileen Armstrong, and NeilaNathu.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ii
LIST OF FIGURES viii
LIST OF TABLES x
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xi
I. INTRODUCTION 1
Statement ofthe Problem 1
Crux 4
The Southern Caribbean Islands 8
Research Methodology Data Collection Steps and
Procedures 11
Theoretical Framework 14
Towards aNew Paradigm 21
Historical and ContemporaryViewpoints in Drug
Trafficking and Production in the Caribbean 22
Comparative and Competitive Advantages 25
Arable Land 26
Democratic Westminster System Parliamentary System 28
Tax Havens/Money Laundering 29
LimitedNational Security Capabilities 31
Globalization and Its Consequences 33
Proximity and Strategic Position Between South
America and the United States 35
111
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Drug Trafficking Organizations and Other
Non-state Actors 38
Normative Assumptions 41
Limitations ofthe Study 42
Purpose ofthe Study 43
Organization ofthe Study 45
II. LITERATURE REVIEW 47
Overview 47
Caribbean Development and Foundations 48
Independence/Post Independence Era 56
Development ofDrug Trafficking inthe Caribbean
Region 63
Historical Development 64
Geography 65
Drug Interdiction 69
U.S. “War on Drugs” and Aid in the Region 72
Changes in Production Trafficking and Demand 75
Changes in Caribbean Public Policy and Drug
Trafficking 85
Effects ofDrug Trafficking in the Caribbean Region 89
Crime 95
Social Capital 97
Corruption 98
Economic Costs 103
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Money Laundering 104
Therein Lies the Rub 106
III. COUNTRY ANALYSIS 111
Overview 111
TheState 112
Trinidad and Tobago Country Analysis 117
Political Environment 120
National Security 124
Arable Land 126
Money Laundering 129
Geography 131
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Country Analysis 133
Political Environment 135
National Security 136
Arable Land 138
Money Laundering 139
Archipelagian Paradigm 140
Social Political and Economic Evaluations 142
IV. RESULTS ANALYSIS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 151
Overview 151
Trinidad and Tobago Summarized DataAnalysis 152
Analysis ofTrinidad and Tobago 162
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proliferation 163
Methods ofSupply 167
Effects 170
The Capabilities 174
Supply and Demand 177
Money 180
Geography and Connections 184
Interdiction Limitations 186
Political Will 188
Missing Pieces 191
Regional Outlook 192
V. RESULTS ANALYSIS ST. VINCENT AND GRENADINES 195
Overview 195
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Summarized
DataAnalysis 198
Results for St. Vincent and the Grenadines 205
Proliferation 206
Effects 211
Comparative and Competitive Advantages 216
Money Laundering 217
Geography and Topography 219
Interdiction Limitations 221
CorruptionlPolitical Will 221
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