JAMAICAN CRIME UPDATE

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000287

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INL/C, INL/LP (BOZZOLO) AND WHA/CAR (BUDDEN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC JM KCRM PGOV SNAR
SUBJECT: JAMAICAN CRIME UPDATE

REF: A)KINGSTON 69 AND B)KINGSTON 71

1.(U) Summary: This is an action message. See paragraphs 10
and 12. The GOJ has made specific requests for USG
assistance in tackling on-going efforts to quell violent
crime. In January, a surge in violence shocked the Jamaican
public and prompted the Commissioner of Police to warn of
worse to come during months leading up to national elections
this year. But, after an initial spate of violence, things
appeared to cool off by the middle of February. The GOJ
refined its anti-crime strategy. As the epicenter of violent
crime seemed to have shifted from Kingston to Montego Bay,
law enforcement operations focused on Montego Bay. End
summary.

CRIME FIGURES

2.(U) According to figures supplied by Deputy Police
Commissioner Mark Shields, the number of persons arrested and
charged for criminal offenses in Jamaica between January 1st
and February 18th was 1,894 in 2007, compared to 2,338 for
the same period in 2006. However, murders committed during
this period increased by 21% nation wide in 2007. While the
greater Kingston area was at the same number of murders as
last year (125),St. James Parish (Montego Bay) went from 18
murders for the period in 2006 to 31 in 2007, a 72% increase.
Clarendon (a marijuana trafficking center) registered an
increase of 111%, going from 9 murders in this period in 2006
to 19 in 2007. So far this year, six police officials were
murdered. Comment: Murders overall in Jamaica decreased by
20% last year, compared to 2005. End Comment.

ANTI-CRIME STRATEGY

3.(U) On January 22, cabinet reportedly endorsed an
anti-crime strategy put forth by Minister of National
Security Peter Phillips. Phillips made the strategy public
on January 29. He emphasized that it was not a new strategy;
rather it was a plan for "staying the course." Basically,
that meant applying what worked in Kingston elsewhere. It
included the following:

- applying hot-spot policing (intense focus of resources) to
trouble areas any where in Jamaica
- conducting joint operations using the Jamaica Defence Force
(JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)
- establishing a permanent presence of Operation Kingfish on
the Western end of the island
- expanding the Major Investigations Task Force to Western
Jamaica

4.(U) But, Phillips did call for some new initiatives, as
well. They were

- new legislation to allow DNA evidence to be collected from
accused persons
- enactment of the Proceeds of Crime Act before the end of
February
- legislation to provide stiffer penalties for persons
trafficking in firearms
- legislation to establish a National Investigative Authority
to deal with investigations of corruption in all areas of
public life
- deploying marine vessels around the island and establishing
three permanent marine police bases on the south coast to
deal with arms smuggling
- a major recruitment drive to increase numbers and quality
of JCF staff
- review the Police Service Regulations and the Book of Rules
to expand legal powers to remove tainted JCF members
- strengthen operation of the newly created Police Civilian
Oversight Authority and the anti-corruption unit within the
JCF's Professional Standards Branch
- Upgrade technologies available to the JCF, including the
police radio system and the 119 emergency hotline

5.(U) Following the Minister's lead, Commissioner of Police
Lucius Thomas gave an address on January 31, in which he
elaborated on plans to gain control over criminal elements.
In addition to measures indicated above, Thomas said he
wanted to target known criminals, using intelligence and
surveillance to get the evidence needed to arrest and
prosecute them. The Commissioner said government needs to
formally establish a Source Management Fund and System, which
would permit the JCF to pay informants. After initial GOJ
funding, subsequent monies would come from the forfeitures
under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
6.(U) Thomas also wanted the following:

- Better monitoring of the highways (more ad hoc check stops)
- Automated license plate reading technology and closed
circuit television systems
- Revamp the Witness Support Unit
- Merge the Canine Division into the Narcotics Division
- Strengthen the Organized Crime Investigative Division to
include financial crimes in collaboration with the Financial
Investigation Unit
- Create an islandwide electronic criminal database
- Improve the police recruitment process to include mandatory
drug testing of new recruits
- Change the law to give Commissioners the authority to
dismiss police officers, who after due process, have been
found guilty or have lost the confidence of the
"organization"
- Hire an International Police Officer (IPO) to the
Anti-Corruption Division
- Increase marijuana eradication and interdiction to attack
the "guns for ganja" trade

7.(SBU) Comments: The anti-crime strategy is ambitious and
comprehensive. Much of what the Minister and Commissioner
want will depend on additional funds from the GOJ. Phillips
is negotiating his budget with the Minister of Finance. The
strategy contains several elements that we urged the GOJ to
adopt early in January (reftel B). These include hiring the
International Police Officer, gaining control over the
problem of corruption within the JCF, and enactment of the
Proceeds of Crime Act. The Proceeds of Crime Act was passed
February 23. On February 27, the Acting NAS Director
(NASDIR) was informed that the ten applicants for the
anti-corruption IPO position had been short listed to three,
all British nationals. Pending availability of the selected
candidate, this person could be on board by April. End
Comment.

SECURITY FORCES FOCUS ON MONTEGO BAY

8.(U) Joint JCF/JDF forces immediately began the attack on
criminal elements in the Montego Bay area. Most of the
murders were blamed on rival criminals wanting a larger piece
of the pie of illicit funds being bilked out of Americans who
are being victimized by the so called "lottery scammers."
Jamaicans contact mostly elderly Americans and tell them they
have won the Jamaican lottery. However, money is needed to
process their winnings. Not all the details are available yet
about these activities.

9.(U) On February 15, police detained 32 people for
questioning regarding their links to the lottery scam. Of
that number five were recently formally charged, including
the so-called mastermind, who was a former PNP Youth
Organizer. Law enforcement operations are being coordinated
by Kingfish. Kingfish brings together intelligence,
surveillance, investigations and enforcement operations. It
was reported that the scam was facilitated by employees in
the information communication technology (ICT) sector in
Montego Bay. Some ICT employees worked with local criminals
by providing them with data on American clients which is then
exploited in the scam. These locals are linked to the
notorious Stone Crusher Gang, which may provide the muscle to
settle disputes among the scam artists. It is likely that
before the operation ends, the Stone Crusher Gang will itself
be crushed. They are linked with a number of violent crimes
in the Montego Bay area, not just the lottery scam. Another
tactic the JCF is applying is community policing tactics
learned from the Grant's Pen project in Kingston.


10. (SBU) On February 26, NASDIR met with Chief Technical
Director of the Financial Investigations Division Christine
Chambers and Alwyn Herriman, Principal Director of Financial
Crimes Unit. They explained that they have been working
behind the scenes in the above mentioned operation. They
have acquired considerable information about persons in the
U.S. who are potential witnesses, as well as the identities
of people who are providing personal data on potential
American victims of the scam. The GOJ officials made a plea
for the embassy to try to get an official from the U.S.
Secret Service to come to Jamaica for a few days to advise

SIPDIS
them with regard to the U.S. links in the scam. The embassy
supports their request and has asked INL to coordinate
contact with the Secret Service.

GUNS FOR GANJA (MARIJUANA) -- OR IS IT MEAT?

11.(U) For many years, the GOJ has attempted to stem the
influx of illegal firearms to the island. Uncontrolled
availability of arms was historically linked to increasing
levels of violent crime. During an election year,
unregulated access to firearms takes on the added concern
that election results will be influenced by the actions of
politically affiliated criminal bosses. That explains why
the GOJ is taking a more pro-active approach to reducing
availability of illegal arms. At present, the GOJ sees the
biggest threat coming from the "guns for ganja" trade,
whereby Jamaican marijuana is traded/sold for guns coming
from Haiti and Central America. A number of JCF/JDF
operations have been directed against the trade this year.
In one such operation (conducted by Kingfish) early this
month, eleven persons, including three Haitians and one
Honduran, were arrested. Following that operation, a Kingfish
spokesman was quoted in the press saying that they would be
targeting Jamaicans operating legitimatQbusinesses who are
employing fisherman to transport the guns and marijuana. In a
separate incident, on February 5, a policeman wasQilled in a
shoot out in Spanish Town. It was discovered that the gunman
shot him with a .380 pistol marked Police Nationale DeHaiti.
Jamaica's National Intelligence Bureau was tasked with
tracing the gun through INTERPOL.

12.(SBU) In a related move, the GOJ intensified its efforts
to seize large marijuana shipments. By the end of January,
the GOJ had seizured 12,348 pounds of compressed marijuana,
compared to 2608 pounds in January 2006. The GOJ also wants
to be more aggressive in eradicating marijuana. The Minister
of National Security has asked if the USG can assist by
providing a helicopter lift support to transport JDF and JCF
eradication teams to the growing sites. The Ministry is
prepared to schedule such an operation at a time when the
U.S. has suitable assets available. The JDF lacks personnel
transport helicopters for such an undertaking and currently
seems to be experiencing a shortage of fuel. The embassy
requests that SOUTHCOM consider the request and provide a
response that we can pass to the Minister.

13.(U) Haitian involvement now appears to extend to ganja
farming in Jamaica. A story published 25 February in The
Gleaner tells of an undercover reporter who visited a ganja
farm. He saw the usual things -- nursery, drying sheds, and
fields under cultivation. The farm employed 36 workers. Of
these, 19 were Haitians, who reportedly were more productive
than the Jamaican laborers. The activity was well funded,
with a Jamaican in Haiti to keep an eye on operations there
and one Haitian on the farm for the same purpose.

14.(U) Recently, Operation Kingfish announced that
intelligence suggests that there is also a thriving trade in
cattle carcasses for guns. This activity is reportedly behind
the uQing in cattle stealing in the parishes of St.
Elizabeth and Manchester. To date, however, no smuggler in
possession of cattle carcasses has been caught.

ELECTION YEAR VIOLENCE

15.(SBU) By the end of February, fear of
politically-motivated violence had abated. On February 20,
NASDIR asked Mark Shields if he had engaged in any further
negotiations to resolve violent disputes among
politically-affilliated criminal leaders. He said that,
since his January intervention in the Mountain View area of
Kingston (reported in Kingston 110),there had been no
further problems requiring that action. Shields cautioned,
however, that he may have to engage in negotiations in
Kingston's Grants Pen area. There is a problem between upper
and lower Grants Pen. Comment: Conflict resolution in Mt.
View involved Minister Phillip Paulwell and Danhai Williams.
Shields advised that he has employed this tactic several
times since 2005. Grant's Pen is the site of the USAID
community policing project. End Comment.

CONCLUSION

16.(SBU) In a poll earlier this year, Jamaicans identified
crime as their number one concern. In an election-year, both
major political parties are fully aware of the importance of
attacking the problem. Minister Phillips may also see
tackling the roots of the crime problem as part of the legacy
he wants to leave should his tenure as Minister of National
Security end, follQing elections. In any case, the GOJ is
attacking the problem more vigorously than in the past. A
variety of international law eQorcement opportunities
present themselves in this changed environment. Now that the
GOJ recognizes that marijuana cultivation is closely linked
to political stability, it is prepared to act more
comprehensively than in the past when a few trucks took crews
with brush cutters to limited ganja-growing sites. However,
the GOJ appears to lack the resources to do so on its own.

17.(SBU) The crime situation in Montego Bay is serious enough
that the Peace Corps is considering pulling some of its
volunteers out of that area. Having made great gains through
community policing in Grant's Pen, USAID is particularly
concerned about prospects for violence in Grant's Pen. USAID
plans to extend community policing techniques to other locals
in Jamaica, including the Montego Bay area. They are
planning a conference in Montego Bay which will draw
attention to the threat that crime and violence pose to
democracy and sustainable development. The conference
(scheduled for March 28 and 29) is titled, "Guns, Ganja and
Governance: A Local Problem With a Regional Dimension."










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