It may not be earth-shattering news, but 12 Customs Officers taking the oath (see related story) is significant. Of course, they were already working as such, but formalising their function, including the status of
auxiliary police, is part of the efforts to further professionalise this law enforcement agency.
Mostly because import duties were never levied here, St. Maarten remained basically without Customs until the end of the last century, when the local service was set up as a branch of the – then – Antillean corps. It took several years before the office was up to strength and could stand on its own.
What many came to realise at the time was that combating smuggling of particularly illegal weapons and narcotics on the Dutch side had become increasingly necessary. Considering the number of gun- and drug-related offences this is clearly still the case up until today, so whatever reinforcements are obviously welcome.
Some have suggested that a lot of illicit merchandise comes through the Pointe Blanche cargo port, so much so that well-known individual Carnival participant Robert made it his theme during this year’s Grand Parade. He said every container should be searched for firearms, which probably would be a logistical nightmare.
Nevertheless, tightening up on the spot checks a bit does not seem unwarranted, although one probably could say the same to a lesser extent for incoming aircraft. While the open border with the French side continues to be a vulnerable point, securing the country’s main gateways as best possible is an important part of promoting public safety.
