MARITIME MARIJUANA SMUGGLING METHOD

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000379 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/LP (BOZZOLO) AND WHA/CAR (BUDDEN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR JM SUBJECT: MARITIME MARIJUANA SMUGGLING METHOD REF: KINGSTON 369 (NOTAL) ¶1. (SBU) In the past several weeks, Jamaican security forces have seized several canisters that had been attached to hulls of maritime vessels intending to depart Jamaica. The canisters contained compressed marijuana. So far, vessels have had the U.S. and the Eastern Caribbean as their destinations. It appears that, currently, this a favored method of trafficking. ¶2. (SBU) Some of the canisters were discovered because they came loose and floated to the surface. Another was found in a fish net. In late February, 68 kilos of compressed marijuana was recovered from a canister which was intended for Trinidad. On March 14, three canisters were recovered from the hull of the M/V Westerkade, which was enroute to Barbados. JDF/Coast Guard divers retrieved the containers. Each measured approximately three feet in length. The canisters were metal. The Coast Guard turned the canisters over to the Marine Police. 3.(SBU) JDF/CG routinely dive bauxite vessels and some cruise ships. But, they do not monitor other cargo vessels. Some years ago, traffickers frequently attached containers to the hulls of bauxite vessels, but routine diving has subsequently halted that activity. ¶4. (SBU) The Narcotics Affairs Section is being asked by the JDF/CG to provide special underwater cameras to enable them to become more pro-active in searching the hulls of cargo vessels. Also, due to the pollution in Kingston Harbour, the coast guard prefers to move suspect vessels to other locations to dive the vessel. The cameras would facilitate increased checks in Kingston Harbour, but also would be used at other ports around the island. JOHNSON