The landscape of narcotics enforcement in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is evolving. As the region adapts to shifting trends in drug trafficking, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is enhancing its capacity to tackle emerging threats—including the movement and misuse of chemical precursors used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs.
In direct response to this challenge, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force proudly recognizes Corporal of Police #949 Edson Smith for successfully completing an advanced international training course focused on precursor chemical control and investigation.
The Higher University Course of Specialization in the Control and Investigation of Drug Precursors was conducted virtually over six months, from September 23, 2024, to April 11, 2025. The programme was hosted by Fundación UNED (FUNED), an academic institution affiliated with the National Distance Education University (UNED) of Spain, and delivered through the COPOLAD III Programme—a joint initiative involving Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union. It was supported by the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), the Italo-Latin American International Organization (IILA), and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).
The 500-hour course focused on critical aspects of modern drug enforcement, including the inspection of chemical operators, administrative control of precursor substances, international legal frameworks governing chemical movement, and the safe handling and disposal of seized chemicals. Participants also studied case examples of how precursor investigations led to the dismantling of synthetic drug networks—knowledge that is increasingly relevant in the Caribbean context.
Corporal Smith described the course as “academically intense but immensely rewarding,” and stated:
> “The course exposed me to the ways precursor chemicals are moved through legal and illegal channels and how their control is essential to cutting off drug production at its roots. This training is directly relevant to policing in SVG, especially as we prepare for evolving trends in synthetic drug activity.”
While Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has established a framework for the regulated and decriminalized use of cannabis for medicinal and traditional purposes, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force continues to monitor other evolving drug threats. The diversion of chemical substances for illicit, non-medical purposes is a growing regional and global concern.
According to the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force,
> “This training contributes meaningfully to our strategic goal of strengthening investigative capability in areas where drug-related threats are becoming more complex. With synthetic drug production and chemical trafficking emerging as real and present risks, the knowledge gained by Cpl. Smith enhances our ability to act early, build stronger cases, and deepen collaboration with regional and international enforcement partners.”
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force extends its congratulations to Corporal Smith on this important achievement, which aligns with its operational mission of advancing security and resilience through specialized training and professional development.