Browne Threatens to Abolish ONDCP Intelligence Arm Over Poor Performance

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has threatened to abolish the intelligence arm of the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy and transfer its responsibilities to the police if the agency’s performance does not improve.

Browne accused intelligence officers at ONDCP of failing to identify criminal suspects and assist other law-enforcement agencies.

“If they continue to push their luck, we’ll just make that arm redundant and create a special intelligence unit within the police,” Browne said during the Browne and Browne Show.

He suggested expanding the police Special Branch to create a larger plainclothes intelligence unit.

Browne also claimed that, to the best of his knowledge, ONDCP has not helped law enforcement apprehend anyone during the past three years.

“ONDCP, to the best of my knowledge, has not assisted law enforcement in apprehending a single person within the last maybe three years,” he said.

The prime minister rejected ongoing concerns about conditions at the agency’s offices, saying the government has addressed problems involving mould, leaks, pests, ventilation and security.

ONDCP employees withdrew from the building for five months beginning in February while remedial work and medical assessments were conducted. Reduced working hours have continued while the health and safety concerns were being addressed.

Information presented during the programme indicated that all 19 recommendations concerning the building had been satisfactorily completed. Medical testing of employees was also reportedly completed Aug. 10.

Browne said medical and public works professionals declared the offices suitable for occupation months ago.

“Everything they’ve asked for, we’ve done,” he said.

The prime minister said ONDCP now requires full staffing to support security preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and an upcoming Caribbean Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluation.

He warned that employees must resume full duties or face significant restructuring of the agency.

“I have a responsibility to tell them, you know what, shape up or ship out,” Browne said. “And we’re at that stage now.”

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: VIDEO: PM Browne Says ONDCP Has Not Helped Apprehend Anyone in Three Years.