Regional authorities urged to strengthen seizure of criminal assets

Prosecutors, investigators and judicial practitioners across the Caribbean region are being urged to strengthen asset recovery efforts to ensure criminals do not benefit from the proceeds of their illegal activities.

The call was made during the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Steering Group Meeting of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for the Caribbean (ARIN-CARIB), held on Wednesday under the theme “From Tracing to Transformation: Building an Asset Recovery-Ready Caribbean.”

Attorney General Anil Nandlall said asset recovery has evolved beyond simply identifying criminal proceeds and must now focus on transforming the way institutions cooperate, strengthen legal frameworks and ensure confiscation becomes an effective tool of justice.

“Asset recovery is no longer simply about identifying illicit proceeds. It is about transforming the way our institutions cooperate, strengthening our legal frameworks, enhancing public confidence in the administration of justice, and ensuring that organised crime can never retain the financial rewards of its activities,” Nandlall said.

He explained that organised crime networks have become increasingly sophisticated, using technology, complex financial arrangements and cross-border systems to conceal their wealth.

Nandlall said the objective must remain clear, to identify, restrain, confiscate and ultimately deprive criminals of the proceeds of their unlawful conduct.

He noted that Guyana is currently reviewing its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation to strengthen its confiscation framework, modernise asset recovery provisions and align with international standards.

Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack said the work of ARIN-CARIB is critical in bridging the gaps between tracing, seizing and confiscating assets linked to transnational crime.

She said while securing criminal convictions is important, the fight against organised crime is incomplete if criminals are allowed to keep the wealth gained from their illegal activities.

“As prosecutors, legal officers and financial investigators, we understand that securing a criminal conviction is only half the battle. If we fail to undermine the financial structures of organised crime, we have not truly solved the problem,” Ali-Hack said.

The DPP added that effective asset recovery depends on strong investigations, proper understanding of the law and cooperation among agencies across jurisdictions.

She said through stronger regional collaboration, criminal proceeds can be recovered and redirected toward improving crime-fighting efforts and strengthening societies.

The ARIN-CARIB meeting will over the next two days focus on discussions on judicial expectations in asset recovery, joint investigative teams, asset management and international cooperation as regional stakeholders work toward building a more coordinated response to transnational crime.