PICAD is a pioneer in bringing together five areas of the Organization in a collaborative effort to strengthen the capacities of seven OAS Member States to prevent and investigate human trafficking and migrant smuggling, particularly those linked to the exploitation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants. The project also aims to enhance understanding of the unique security risks they face, especially women and girls. Additionally, it seeks to improve border management in the beneficiary countries to increase the detection of irregular movements of goods and people, and to promote the inclusion of victims and survivors of these crimes in society.
The seven countries - Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago – benefit from the activities, led by Department of Public Security (DPS), the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE), the Department of Social Inclusion (DSI), the Department Against Transnational Organized Crime (DTOC), and the Working Group to Address the Venezuelan Migration and Refugee Crisis in the Region.
It is funded by the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) of Global Affairs Canada. Thus, it is aligned with its priorities to prevent and counter transnational organized crime.
The office works under the Department of Public Security.