Government and national security agencies are reviewing the use of electronic surveillance technology to strengthen monitoring at Antigua and Barbuda’s ports and borders, Information Technology Minister Melford Nicholas has disclosed.

Nicholas said he held a meeting with representatives of the police, military and Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control following a recent National Security Council meeting.

The discussions examined the electronic systems needed to improve scrutiny at ports of entry and help intercept illegal firearms and other contraband entering the country.

“I had a follow-on meeting with members of all the forces to look at the whole electronic framework for scrutiny at the ports and our borders,” Nicholas said Tuesday night on the government’s “Taking Stock” radio programme.

He said his role includes ensuring that national security agencies have access to the technology needed to conduct effective surveillance.

“The whole question of managing the border entry and giving the type of surveillance apparatus to the police force, the army and the ONDCP is a matter of concern,” Nicholas said.

The minister did not disclose details of the technology under consideration, citing the sensitive nature of national security matters.

The review comes amid growing concern about illegal firearms entering Antigua and Barbuda and contributing to violent crime.

Nicholas acknowledged that the country has porous borders and said the government is working to provide additional resources to the agencies responsible for protecting them.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Government Plans Tighter Surveillance to Stop Illegal Guns Entering Antigua and Barbuda.