Jamaican Senate Approves Expansion of MOCA’s Investigative Powers
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican Senate has approved significant amendments that enhance the investigative and prosecutorial powers of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA). These changes, formally titled the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (Amendment of First Schedule) Order, were successfully moved through the Senate by Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Senate.
The newly approved order broadens the range of serious offences that MOCA can now address, thereby bolstering the agency’s ability to combat organised crime more effectively within the country. According to Senator Johnson Smith, these amendments are crucial for strengthening Jamaica’s overall security framework amidst the rising challenges of organised criminal activities.
"The expansion of MOCA’s investigative scope marks a pivotal step in fortifying our legal apparatus against the intricate web of organised crime that threatens national safety," said Senator Johnson Smith. The legislative changes will allow MOCA to proceed against individuals involved in a wide variety of criminal activities, including but not limited to, violations under the Larceny Act 1942, Forgery Act 1942, and more contemporary laws like the Firearms Prohibition Restriction and Regulation Act 2022 and the Road Traffic Act 2018. Additionally, offences under Common Law, such as public office misconduct and conspiracy, are also included in the agency’s expanded purview.
Since its inception, MOCA has been instrumental in the fight against organised crime in Jamaica. From January 2020 to the present, the agency has carried out approximately 98 targeted operations, leading to the arrests of 85 individuals, 84 of whom were formally charged. This track record underscores the agency’s pivotal role in enhancing law enforcement’s capabilities across Jamaica.
The legislative adjustments reflect the Government’s continued commitment to reviewing and adapting legal frameworks to align with the evolving needs of Jamaica’s security forces in their relentless pursuit to curb crime and violence.
These developments highlight Jamaica’s effort to arm its agencies with the necessary tools to maintain law and order effectively, providing a safer environment for its citizens.
