MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - JANUARY 2005

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 000759 SIPDIS FOR INL/LP - KBROWN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR JM SUBJECT: MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - JANUARY 2005 Achievements/ Activities: ¶1. The Jamaica Defense Force Air Wing (JDF/AW) spent approximately 10 hours transporting members of the "Kingfish" operation, narcotics police and The Jamaica Defense Force Headquarters Intelligence team to the parishes of St James, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland to gather information on narcotrafficking and other related criminal activities. Combined intelligence efforts by the JDF and JCF led to the seizure of 31.66 kilograms of cocaine and 399 pieces of crack cocaine by Narcotics police. The Jamaican security forces eradicated marijuana in ten districts over hilly and swampy areas in the parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and Clarendon where they destroyed 22.24 hectares, 2,457 kilograms of cured marijuana, 600,000 units of seedlings, 11 nurseries and 5 huts. The police encountered a hostile crowd and one arrest was made at Bailey Ground in St Elizabeth. The monthly operation was accomplished within 2 weeks and 6 days with the deployment of thirty-nine (39) personnel. Seizures and Eradication for January 2005 Cocaine Kg 31.66 Crack Cocaine Pieces 399 Marijuana Ha 22.24 Cured Marijuana Kg 2,457 Seedlings Units 600,000 Nurseries Units 11 Huts Units 5 An examination of the year to date statistics compared to 2004 indicates a significant reduction of 31.93% in the seizure of cocaine and a minimal increase of 39.93% of crack cocaine. There was a significant increase of 224.32% in the destruction of seedlings and the destruction of huts is a new feature for the month of January. Seizures and Eradication Year-To-Date January 2005 2005 2004 %Change Cocaine Kg 31.66 51.01 -37.93 Crack Cocaine Pieces 399 352 13.35 Marijuana HC 22 11 94 Cured Marijuana Kg 2,457 1,991 23.40 Seedlings Units 600,000 185,000 224.32 Nurseries Units 11 9 22.22 Huts Units 5 0 100.00 ¶2. Two hundred and ten (210) patrols covering 3095 Nautical Miles were conducted along the North and South Coast by the Jamaica Defense Force Coast Guard (JDF/CG) inshore patrol vessels. Twelve diving operations were conducted at Port Rhoades, St Ann and Rocky Point, Clarendon. In addition Port Security patrols were extended to Montego Bay, Discovery Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and Kingston. The monthly operation was done in approximately 395 hours, using 11,155.59 liters of petrol and 10,772 liters of diesel. No vessels were seized or identified. The Narcotics traffickers and growers continue to find new and creative ways to maintain their trade while the Jamaican and selected foreign law enforcement official continue to interrupt their livelihood. In an effort to adequately prosecute major illicit operators the Jamaican government announced the tabling of the Plea-Bargaining Bill in parliament in February 2005. There has being grave resistance from some sectors of the society. However, the Commissioner of Police responsible for "Operation Kingfish" announced that the initiative is making progress. He also stated that an anti-extortion strategy would be shortly implemented, and that the JCF has identified some of the criminal networks. Investigators are currently building cases. ¶3. During January NAS visited the Police Training School at Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, Mobile Reserve Police Station and the Jamaica Defense Force Coast Guard and the Narcotics trailer the Boscobel Aerodrome, St Mary. At the training School the portable and stationery Firearm Training Simulators were seen. They are adequately utilized and are in good working condition. The M16 weapons are accounted for and despite the lack of a modern armory, the walls of the building appeared strong and safety was not compromised. The equipment at the JDF Coast Guard was all accounted for and used for the purposes intended. There was a marginal improvement of serviceability of the boats but they are now challenged to maintain them and to get the additional boats in the water. ¶4. On January 19th Mr. Lucius Thomas was appointed as the Commissioner of police for The Jamaica Constabulary Force. In his inaugural speech he stated that the final draft of the JCF's three- year Corporate Strategy (2005-2008) was completed, and the document would be completed soon and would be published for implication. Most critics welcomed his appointment and it is expected that he will better utilize his resources to solve crime. Messrs. Garace Reynard, Dave Purdy and Morris Davis visited the Commissioner to discuss the inability of the NIB to fulfill its mandate because of poor management, lack of top management support from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the absence of polygraph testing for the staff. The Commissioner listened with interest and stated that he would examine the issues with a view to correcting them. The Commissioner was very responsive and frank in stating the problems facing him and his administration. He agreed with our assessment and suggestion for managing the JCF and with specific recommendation for changes in specific units to enhance the effectiveness of their operations. He ordered vetting to proceed shortly afterwards. ¶5. The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) Advisor, Mr. Morris Davis has been in conversation with the Minister of National Security The Hon. Peter Phillips and there are plans for the Minister to visit NIB early February and look at their capabilities and their difficulties with the intention of giving the Bureau more support from top management enabling them to fulfill their mandate. Members of the NIB, Operation Kingfish and the Divisional Intelligence Unit participated in a weeklong training exercise where they covered several related modules including "Training in Managing Informants". The NIB continues to work with personnel from the Corporate Strategy Unit with the mandate of fully implementing the Bureau. As a part of the Reform and Modernization effort consultants from the United Kingdom are working closely on the project. ¶6. The Entry/Exit System has been functioning well since it was formally launched in November 2004, however, it is not being fully utilized by Jamaica Immigration Service (JIS),especially in Montego Bay. The system still hasn't been able to produce the required reports that will identify problems or progress at the ports of entry. IOM officials are working with JIS to improve their performance and image with the touring public. ¶7. The Fugitive Apprehension Team conducted island-wide operations with the U.S. Marshal Service in January and collected information that should lead to the arrest of several fugitives from U.S. justice in the near future. ¶8. The Contraband Enforcement Team continues to be active at the seaports and airports. Cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana concealed among jewelry, fiberglass wrapped in aluminum and the picture tube of two television sets were among the contraband that alleged traffickers attempted to import and export. There were seven (07) seizures of marijuana, six at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and one (01) at the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay. Six of those seizures were destined to the United States of America. There were two (02) cocaine and heroin related seizures, which amounted to 10.0113 kilograms of combined drugs. One shipment was destined to the United States and the other to Curacao. Jamaica Contraband Enforcement Seizures Jan 05 Jan 04 % Change No of Cocaine Seizures 2 no data No of Marijuana seizure 7 1 600 Qty of Marijuana seized (Kg) 54.11 605 -91 No of Persons Arrested 1 2 -50 Passengers processed 260 6 4233 Import Containers Examined 17 6 183 Export Containers Examined 17 57 -70 Transshipment Cont. Examined 21 13 62 Break Bulk Containers airport 225 50 350 Break Bulk Containers seaport 6652 87 7546 The statistics shows that there has been a significant increase in the number of passengers processed and the inspection of containers in 2005 when compared to 2004. The increase in the processing of containers is due to the assignment of military personnel to the agency. Two key management staff members from the Contraband Enforcement Team has resigned recently and the NAS Director has a planned meeting with the CET's Directors to discuss possible replacement and the impact that this will have on the performance of the agency. ¶9. The Narcotic Affairs Section continues to actively support all agencies that are actively involved in the interruption of the narcotic trade and related criminal activities by meeting directly with the responsible officials in each program and the key players at the Ministry of National Security. ¶10. Note: Post is still concerned that the GOJ hasn't proceeded at a faster pace on the establishment of the Airport Interdiction Task Force. The delay seems to lie with the Ministry of National Security (MNS) and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) unable to agree on facilities to house the Task Force. Although there has been a big push to address domestic crime, and success in combating international criminal activities, the GOJ has been slow to respond to programs already underway that could go a long way towards addressing some of their problems. End Note. TIGHE