GRENADA - BLUE LANTERN ON LICENSE 05-1001037 FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001543 SIPDIS SIPDIS PM/DDTC FOR REBECCA VALERIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC GJ XL SUBJECT: GRENADA - BLUE LANTERN ON LICENSE 05-1001037 FOR MATTHEW DOPWELL REF: STATE 99016 ¶1. (U) Post was unable to conduct a site visit to Grenada but gathered information on the end user via telephone and email. (Note: Embassy Grenada is a one-officer post and at present no American is stationed there. Thus, Embassy Bridgetown has taken responsibility for this Blue Lantern Check. End note.) Post did not uncover any derogatory information on Matthew Dopwell, and he appears to be a legitimate firearm retailer. ¶2. (U) The end user's first license was granted on August 15, 1985, and renewed on February 8, 2002, which is valid for five years. The business is owned by Matthew Dopwell and his brother, Donald Dopwell, who is a junior partner. According to Matthew Dopwell, the firearms sales in Grenada is small in comparison to his main business, Dopco Ltd. Dopco Ltd was registered in June 1995 and is currently located in Grand Anse. The directors of Dopco Ltd include Matthew Dopwell, his brother Donald Dopwell, and Daphne Belmar. Primary customers include business owners, farmers, hunters associations, security firms and the Grenada Gun and Rifle Association. Dopco is not in the export business. ¶3. (U) The Grenada Gun and Rifle Association and some hunting associations regularly buy ammunition from Dopco. Firearm licenses are usually restricted to one of each type per person while ammunition is restricted to amounts determined by the police. Dopco is the larger of the two firearms dealers on the island, with regular clients who typically purchase approx. 50 rounds, twice a year. ¶4. (U) All stock are stored by the police, with the exception of demonstration products issued to Matthew Dopwell for the purpose of sales and marketing. These demonstration products are stored in a safe at Dopwell's home until returned to the police. Matthew Dopwell is licensed to use his Glock .380 and 12 gauge shotgun. Matthew Dopwell's property is additionally protected by guard dogs. ¶5. (U) Matthew Dopwell keeps records of all firearms issued, which include date of issue, caliber, serial number, type, model, and name and address of the customer. The police also keep a record of all issued firearms. In addition, the Commissioner of Police approved Dopco as a licensed firearm dealer to import and sell firearms in Grenada. Grenadian authorities conducted a thorough background search before issuing this license. ¶6. (U) All firearms and ammunition shipped to Grenada must be met on arrival by the police and remain in their custody until issued. The licensing process in Grenada requires that all end users apply to the Commissioner of Police in writing, with photographs. An investigation and report soon follow. The applicant is informed in writing when the application has been approved, at which time the end user has to pay the license fee and pick up the issued firearm from police storage. Dopco has a specific import license for the items they plan to import from the U.S., which was submitted along with its application. The quantities listed are not intended for one order or shipment, but will be purchased and shipped as needed, in accordance with what is authorized under Dopco's license. ¶7. (U) Grenada is not a country with a high level of gun crimes. However, many property owners became accustomed to having a licensed firearm for their protection, particularly after Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada in 2004 and left many small businesses vulnerable to looting. Such looting resulted in increased sales in handguns. Groups promoting the recreational use of firearms include four hunting associations and the Grenada Gun and Rifle Association. Matthew Dopwell also asserts that gun-related crimes are committed with illegally imported firearms in Grenada, not with his licensed firearms. KRAMER