Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KINGSTON759
2005-03-17 14:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:  

MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - JANUARY 2005

Tags:  SNAR JM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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:

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