Antigua and Barbuda’s national security agencies have acknowledged weaknesses in how intelligence is shared among the country’s law enforcement bodies as the government seeks to strengthen its response to crime.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the issue was identified during discussions involving Cabinet and security officials.

“One of the shortcomings that was discovered and discussed was the sharing of information among the units, among the security forces,” Merchant said during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing.

He explained that one agency may possess valuable intelligence but lack the resources or authority to act on it. Sharing that information with another branch of the national security apparatus could result in successful operations.

“They may have intelligence and they may not have the capacity to act on that intelligence,” Merchant said. “If they share the intelligence with other branches of the security apparatus, then it could result in positive efforts.”

Merchant clarified that some cooperation already exists among the agencies but said substantial improvement is required.

“It is being done. They are sharing information, but there is need for greater improvement in sharing of information,” he said.

The agencies have reportedly committed to establishing measures that make intelligence-sharing a more central part of the fight against crime.

The disclosure came during a wider discussion about illegal firearms, border surveillance and whether the government was considering restructuring the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy.

Merchant said Cabinet held no further discussions about disbanding the ONDCP. Negotiations with its workers and their unions are continuing, while most employees have returned to work following instructions to resume their duties.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Security Agencies Admit More Intelligence Sharing Is Needed to Fight Crime.