Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KINGSTON379
2007-03-19 12:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
MARITIME MARIJUANA SMUGGLING METHOD
VZCZCXRO9031 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHKG #0379 0781231 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 191231Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4492 INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 1989 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1146 RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 7430 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0472 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 2367 RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0034 RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU 2543 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3033 RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 5130 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 5804 RUEABND/DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMIN SAN JUAN PR RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC RULGSDG/COGARD SAN JUAN PR RUCOWCV/CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
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)
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
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