OPBAT OPERATIVE SEIZED 1159 POUNDS OF COCAINE

UNCLAS NASSAU 002452

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO WHA/CAR DOCONNOR
STATE PASS TO INL/LP KBROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BF SNAR OPBAT
SUBJECT: OPBAT OPERATIVE SEIZED 1159 POUNDS OF COCAINE


1. Summary. On December 8, 2003 charges were filed before a
Nassau magistrate against three individuals arrested on
Saturday in connection with the seizure of 1,159.40 pounds of
cocaine. The seizure was completed by members of the Royal
Bahamas Police Force in cooperation with members of the
Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). End of
Summary.


2. Over the weekend, drug traffickers braved the rough waters
brought by a neighboring tropical depression to move a large
cocaine shipment from Haiti to The Bahamas. Acting on
intelligence gathered, OPBAT mobilized air, marine and land
resources to conduct a round the clock surveillance on two
small vessels believed to be involved in the contraband near
the Lucayan waterway of the island of Grand Bahama.


3. After the crew ran the vessels ashore, the police
confiscated the cargo and arrested three of the four Bahamian
nationals crew members The men were charged with possessing
dangerous drugs with intent to supply. It is estimated that
the narcotics have a street value of USD $16 million.


4. This significant seizure that attracted the headlines of
one of Nassau's major newspaper took place in a busy weekend
that netted, in separate mission, intercepts of 1200 pounds
of marijuana and a Haitian migrant smuggling boat with more
than 300 people on board. OPBAT is a multi-nation,
multi-agency initiative that includes a strong USG
participation and support and is the largest and longest
cooperative efforts overseas of any government involved in
drug enforcement.
WITAJEWSKI