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