ST. LUCIA - BLUE LANTERN ON LICENSE 05-1014600 FOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000721

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/DTCC FOR BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC ETTC BB XL
SUBJECT: ST. LUCIA - BLUE LANTERN ON LICENSE 05-1014600 FOR
G & T, INC.

REF: STATE 43536


1. Post conducted a site visit to two locations operated by
G & T, Inc. in St. Lucia to assess its operations and on-site
security. Post has no concerns of the security of firearm
and ammunition inventory at these locations. Post did not
uncover any derogatory information on the foreign consignee,
Gregory Jean-Baptiste of G & T, Inc., and he appears to be a
reliable recipient of USML items. Jean-Baptiste is also
licensed and authorized to import and sell firearms and
ammunition in accordance with St. Lucian laws.


2. G & T, Inc. was established in March 1998, and its
principals are the owner, Gregory Jean-Baptiste, and his
wife, Teresa Jean-Baptiste. The company has two places of
business from which it conducts its sales and secures its
inventory. Sales are conducted in its downtown Castries
location at 23 Vide Boutielle Road. In accordance with St.
Lucian law, the majority of its inentory of firearms and
ammunition is stored at th national armory maintained by the
Royal St. Luca Police Force. For distribution purposes,
limied inventory is secured at the 23 Vide Boutielle Rad
location and on the first floor of the owner' home, located
at 41 Corinth Estate, Gros Islet.


3. Post conducted a site visit at the Castries nd Gros
Islet locations. Post did not condut a site visit at the
national armory. The Castries place of business is cohabited
by a professional security company. Armed guards are on duty
at this building 24 hours a day. Commercial inventory is
stored in safes within the national armory. The Gros Islet
location is Jean-Baptiste's personal residence and utilized
guard dogs and alarm system for security. The inventory at
the residence is also securely locked in a safe. Post had no
concerns of the security at either location.


4. G & T, Inc. appears to have an established and legitimate
customer base to which it plans to sell the commodities
listed in their application. The company sells approximately
100 firearms and 42,000 arms per year to the St. Lucian law
enforcement community, correctional institutions, private
security firms, and new and existing license-holding
individuals. All end users are in St. Lucia, and all
business is conducted in St. Lucia. No transactions are
conducted outside of St. Lucia.


5. According to Jean-Baptiste, G & T, Inc. keeps proper,
detailed records of its sales and customers and sends
quarterly inventory and sales reports to the Commissioner of
Police. Jean-Baptiste showed these records to the Post
representative. In addition, the Commissioner of Police
notifies G & T, Inc. of any new or changed USML restrictions.
GILROY