Robbery, then rape at gunpoint: a couple’s ordeal in Caribbean villa

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Title – Robbery, then rape at gunpoint: a couple’s ordeal in Caribbean villa
Source – The Times
Date – 4th August 2008

As is often the case success can be the reason for downfall, the Caribbean is a perfect example of this. The success of many of the Caribbean islands as tourist destinations have seen huge development a reduction in traditional economies and lifestyles and a widening of the wealth gap between rich and poor.

Add to this the influx of foreign companies that ‘import’ tourists and ‘export’ profits, the subsequent increase of direct flights to and from Europe and the USA, the proximity to South and Central America where the world production of Cocaine is concentrated and the scene was set for these beautiful and peaceful islands to become the perfect staging post for drugs to be smuggled. At one point statistics showed that one in every ten people on flights from the Caribbean were ‘drug mules’.

With this as a starting point, it is hardly surprising that the drug culture has infiltrated these societies and with that the development (or sometimes enhancement of existing) gangs seeking to control these lucrative drug routes. Add to this the proximity of one of the main producers of methamphetamines (Ice) in Mexico and yet another tragedy is in the making.

Where there is a serious drug problem coupled with gangs fighting for control of drug money, there are always consequences that go beyond the internal criminal and gang related violence. It always spills out as drug dependents seek ‘soft targets’ and criminals breed criminals who don’t simply rob and steal, but who have such distain for life itself that they kill as a matter of course.

With the very high profile murder of honeymoon couple Mr & Mrs Mullany the situation has hit the headlines. It is very sad to see this side of a society which does not reflect the average Caribbean islander who will welcome visitors with open arms and a friendly smile; but the underbelly is a violent and disillusioned society with a serious drug problem that has led to lawlessness and gangs that are better funded and better armed in many cases then law enforcement.

Many tourists visit the Caribbean islands without any sort of incident, but this very high profile double murder has highlighted that the innocence of the Caribbean that was lost a long time ago, has now been very publically shattered and as this second story to emerge from St Lucia demonstrates it was not an isolated incident. People must be aware when they travel not just that there is a very violent part of society on many of these islands, but that they are ruthless beyond what many people will believe to be possible.

This is not a new phenomenon; nearly 10 years ago a group of 8 friends of mine were visiting one of the Caribbean islands and were robbed at gunpoint in the middle of the night. They were ‘lucky’; by lying very still and complying with commands the perpetrators gave, they simply lost cash and valuables, this could easily have ended very differently.

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