NAS PROGRAM REVIEW: JAMAICA FUGITIVE APPREHENSION

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000331 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/LP (BOZZOLO),WHA/CAR (BENT) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL KCRM JM SUBJECT: NAS PROGRAM REVIEW: JAMAICA FUGITIVE APPREHENSION TEAM ¶1. Summary: This report provides an update on the work of the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team (JFAT). ¶2. The Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team (JFAT) is a unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the unit performs its duties in collaboration with the United States Marshals Service. JFAT's focus is to apprehend and arrest fugitives from U.S. justice and persons for whom extradition warrants are issued. ¶3. In 2005 eleven arrests were made. Five for narcotics offenses, three for murder and one each for sexual offense, escape from custody and bank robbery. ¶4. Two of the high profile cases were the arrests of Presley Bingham and Darren Ferguson. Bingham, a Jamaican, was wanted in Germany for murder and in the U.S. for dealing in narcotics. Bingham performed his activities primarily from a location in Coral Gardens, and Lilliput, in the parish of St. James, which are both in close proximity. Bingham is described on the street as "dangerous", " violent", "enforcer" and the "butcher man". It is alleged that Bingham worked closely with U.S. designated Drug Kingpin Norris Nemhard and Robroy Williams who were arrested previously on provisional warrants. Darren Ferguson, a Bahamian pilot, is alleged to be a leader of organized criminal activity between Colombia and Jamaica. He is being charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine and marijuana. Both fugitives operated in a sophisticated manner and were able to avoid apprehension for an extended period. ¶5. In January 2006, JFAT arrested four fugitives namely Tyrone Morrison, Ivan Huggins, Alex Anderson, and Ira Solomon. They were wanted for federal drug charges and violation of parole. Three fugitives were extradited: Sherwin Emanuel, Ivan Huggins and Alex Anderson. All of the fugitives were apprehended utilizing NAS donations in the form of vehicles and per diem to cover administrative expenses. ¶6. The JFAT team is expected to increase its manpower by two personnel by the end of 2006. Eight officers should complete polygraph testing by the middle of 2006 making the JFAT team fully vetted. ¶7. In September 2004, NAS funded a two week fugitive investigation training course for the JFAT team at the U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group Training Center in Pineville, Louisiana. The investigative skills that were attained and/or improved at this training continue to benefit the JFAT as evidenced by the positive results in the number of arrests and extraditions of U.S. fugitives. Additionally, NAS has supported the JFAT by funding several team members' attendance to the International Fugitive Investigators Conference in Toronto, Canada, co-hosted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Toronto Police Service. ¶8. JFAT's relationship with the U.S. Marshals and the Narcotics Affairs Section is considered excellent. There are currently 51 U.S. fugitives that have been located in Jamaica and the U.S. Marshals Service is coordinating with the Department of Justice Office of International Affairs and prosecuting attorneys the extradition and provisional arrest requests. JOHNSON