Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NASSAU1156
2005-06-21 11:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

2005 COUNTERNARCOTICS CERTIFICATION

Tags:  SNAR KCRM BF OPBAT 
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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 NASSAU 001156 

SIPDIS

INL/LP FOR KEVIN BROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM BF OPBAT
SUBJECT: 2005 COUNTERNARCOTICS CERTIFICATION
REPORT CARD (BAHAMAS)

REF: STATE 94578

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 001156

SIPDIS

INL/LP FOR KEVIN BROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM BF OPBAT
SUBJECT: 2005 COUNTERNARCOTICS CERTIFICATION
REPORT CARD (BAHAMAS)

REF: STATE 94578


1. In accordance with Reftel request, Post
submits the following report card on The
Bahamas' counter narcotics performance during
2005:

1) The USG asked the GCOB to complete its
National Anti-Drug Plan.

-- During the Joint Task Force meeting, on
December 13, 2005, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs announced that the long-awaited
national drug strategy had been approved by
Cabinet. The Government is expected to
initiate the implementation of the plan
during mid-2005. The Embassy was informed
that the government of the Bahamas has
identified a building to house and a person
to lead, the National Drug Secretariat.

2) The USG asked the GCOB to continue to
facilitate the extradition of individuals
involved in drug trafficking.

-- In an unexpected decision issued on May
10, 2005, Supreme Court Justice Jon Isaacs
ruled that the U.S.-Bahamas Extradition
Treaty was valid but constitutionally
unenforceable due to a failure of the
Government of the Bahamas to obtain
parliamentary approval for the public funds
expended to process and implement extradition
requests from the USG. The Government
immediately requested a stay of the Judge's
ruling and said that it would lodge an
immediate appeal to the Court of Appeals.
The appeal is set to be heard June 21-21,

2004. It is expected that the losing party
will seek appeal to the Privy Council in
London. Although the GCOB communicated to the
Embassy that the status of the validity of
the Extradition Act remains unaffected by
Judge Isaacs' ruling, Post is closely
watching developments and their implications
for the more than twenty extradition requests
at different stages in the system.

3) The USG asked the GCOB to continue its
anti-money laundering and asset confiscation
efforts.

-- After intense scrutiny by international
organizations and the USG, and a reallocation
of resources, the Attorney General's Office
has markedly improved the timeliness of its
responses to Mutual Legal Agreement requests.
In December 2004, an MOU was signed to
facilitate the exchange of information
between the Central Bank of The Bahamas and
the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

-- In June 2005, The Financial Action Task
Force expressed satisfaction with the level
of responsiveness of the GCOB to information
requests from international regulators. The
Embassy continues to encourage the Bahamas to
continue to provide adequate resources to
meet its international commitments.

4) The USG asked the GCOB to continue its
efforts against drug transportation and
distribution.

-- The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF)
continued to collaborate closely and
effectively with the Drug Enforcement
Administration and other USG agencies in
targeting and dismantling major Bahamian drug
trafficking organizations. After the
takedown of major drug organizations in what
was Operation "Busted Manatee," that netted
14 arrests and 2 extraditions; law
enforcement observers have seen an increase
in drug smuggling activity in Haitian small
vessels or sloops. These vessels are
traditionally used to smuggle illegal
migrants.

-- During the first five months of 2005, the
RBPF seized 68 lbs of cocaine and 3.8 mt of
marijuana and made 556 arrests. (Comparable
figures for a similar portion of 2004 were
1.62 mt of cocaine, 3.14 mt of marijuana, and
53 arrests.)

-- The RBPF's three NAS-donated fast response
boats continue to provide an "end game" for
OPBAT helicopter pursuits of drug smuggling
"go-fast" boats. NAS funding has made
possible to keep the operational readiness of
these important assets. In addition NAS has
supported the acquisition of intelligence-
gathering equipment to make these missions
more targeted and efficient.

-- The Comprehensive Maritime Agreement
approved last summer is being fully
implemented and has effectively replaced
patchwork of law enforcement agreements and
arrangements, some of which pre-dated
Bahamian independence in 1973. The agreement
has assisted both in counter-drug and migrant
smuggling operations allowing for a more
effective use of GCOB and USG assets.

5) The USG asked the GCOB to enact
legislation for the control of precursor
chemicals.

-- The Government-drafted precursor
legislation has yet to reach Cabinet for its
review and approval. Because The Bahamas is
not known to have a precursor problem, this
legislation is not a Bahamian Government
priority and is unlikely to be introduced
into parliament before the end of 2005.

ROOD