PROPOSALS FOR INL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ACCRA 000432 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W AND INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SNAR GH SUBJECT: PROPOSALS FOR INL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT REF: STATE 10511 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel instructions, Post proposes five projects to be funded with FY 2008 funds. Post's objective is to build on past efforts to enhance the capabilities of Ghanaian counter-narcotics units, including the Narcotics Control Board, and to focus attention on improving interdiction capacity at Kotoka International Airport, which has become a significant transit point for narcotics destined for Europe and the United States. The proposed projects would reinforce on-going efforts to improve the capabilities of local enforcement officials and complement interdiction efforts by partner nations. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Post's points of contact for narcotics issues are POLOFF Paul Stevenson (after April 4),Tel: (233-21) 741-851; Fax: (233-21) 775-742; and POL Chief Brian Shukan, Tel. (233-21) 741-338; e-mail shukanbw@state.gov. -------------- Para 19: Overview -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The following responses are keyed to questions in reftel paragraph 19: A.) TITLE/ESTIMATED COST/PRIORITY -------------- -------------- Criminal Investigations Training by National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE): two-week train-the-trainer course for Ghana Police Services (GPS); one-week train-the-trainer course on conducting corruption and money laundering investigations; $45,000; priority one out of five. Airport Interdiction Seminar for the Ghanaian Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) conducted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration: $65,000; priority two of five. Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP Africa) in conjunction with UNODC: implement a multi-phased plan to improve controls and border management specifically at airports through enhanced inter-agency and regional cooperation; $200,000; priority three of five. Regional Advanced Drug Enforcement Training for the NACOB conducted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration: develop management and supervisory skills of mid-level drug enforcement managers by exploring controlled deliveries, conspiracy investigations, and operational planning; $62,700; priority four of five. Financial Crimes Investigations: Two-week Financial Investigative Techniques (FIT) course including three OTA advisors to cover investigating financial crimes, asset forfeiture, public corruption, and money laundering. Project would also provide equipment, including computers, to units specializing in financial crimes; $123,000; priority five of five ¶B. BACKGROUND TO THE REQUEST Despite on-going and genuine efforts from local authorities, Ghana has emerged as a significant transit in the African drug trade. Ghanaians are believed to be working in conjunction with other West African trafficking groups to smuggle heroin and cocaine to Europe and South Africa. Although local enforcement agencies are committed to interdiction and prosecution, corruption in the ranks remains a problem. A national narcotics scandal in 2006 involving allegations of official complicity in narcotics trafficking complicated Ghana's efforts to combat the drug trade but focused public attention on the growing problem. Subsequent arrests of airport and law enforcement officials believed to be facilitating drug smuggling have been equal parts encouraging and disheartening. Drugs are transiting Ghana at an increasing level, exacerbating drug-related corruption and posing increasing drug control problems for the Ghanaian authorities. In recent years, INL funds have helped increase the capacity of the Ghana Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) to participate in narcotics seizures. INL funds have been used to support a successful 14-week basic police training course as well as ongoing 8-week police course run by ICITAP. The training had the strong backing of the Inspector General of Police and the course was subsequently replicated. Future programming will reinforce this good work and will also focus on air and sea port interdiction, international control deliveries, and operational planning. Even with enriched law enforcement capacity, the lure of easy money is hard to resist, making the airport only as secure as its most susceptible employee. Programs therefore also seek to complement ACCRA 00000432 002 OF 003 efforts by the British government to independently intercept drug smugglers. -- C. PROJECT GOALS The projects aim to build on past training initiatives, to bolster local capacity for narcotic interdiction, and to complement multilateral interdiction efforts. -- D. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Criminal Investigations Training by National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) - NOBLE proposes a two week train the trainer course focusing on criminal investigations, crime scene management, evidence collection, and informant development. Given allegations of criminal conduct, students will identify the methods and techniques used in conducting multiple criminal investigations from inception to logical conclusion. NOBLE also proposes a one-week train-the-trainer course designed for Ghanaian law enforcement professionals engaged in conducting and managing corruption and money laundering investigations. The course syllabus includes an overview of the impact of corruption, investigative strategies, and an analysis of corruptions patterns. DEA Airport Interdiction Seminar - The DEA will conduct a week-long seminar designed to further develop the investigative skills of officers who work interdiction units in Ghana. The course will build on a 2004 course in Nigeria which was attended and lauded by several Ghanaians. The seminar will reinforce proven methods and introduce latest methods. No other USG agency has provided this type of training in the past. Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP Africa) - UNODC plans to implement a multi-phased, 48-month regional program which will improve controls and border management, specifically at airports, through enhanced inter-agency and regional cooperation with more effective exchange and analysis if operational information. It involves three global organizations - Interpol, the WCO and UNODC - and will complement proactive interdiction methods by the Government of Britain through the Project Westbridge program. DEA Regional Advanced Drug Enforcement Seminar - This project will consist of a two-week seminar with emphasis on international control deliveries, conspiracy investigations, and operational planning. The project will be targeted at approximately 40 Ghanaian mid-level narcotics enforcement supervisors. The course was selected due to the need to increase the management and supervisory skills of mid-level supervisors in law enforcement agencies in Ghana. No other USG agency has provided this type of training in the past. Treasury Department Financial Investigations Techniques (FIT) courses - This project would help Ghana implement its money laundering law and combat corruption by providing training and equipment to law enforcement units and banking compliance officers focused on combating financial crimes (including internet/cyber-crime),money laundering and corruption. It is particularly timely given that a Money Laundering Bill was passed by parliament in November 2007 and came into effect in January 2008. The law details accountable institutions, the role of supervisory authorities, preventive measures against money laundering, customer identification procedures, record keeping procedures, rules for Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR),and reporting and disclosure requirements. In addition, the bill calls for establishment of a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),overseen by the Minister of Finance. The FIU has not yet been put in place, in part due to the need for capacity building and training. The FIT program will help encourage establishment of the FIU in a timely manner and train the FIU members. -- E. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS A quantifiable number of Ghanaian law enforcement officers will complete the train-the-trainer course and will exponentially spread the message via direct training of peers and through amending current police academy course curricula. NOBLE will track arrests resulting from criminal investigations and cases submitted for prosecution. The DEA projects will be successful if there is an increase in drug seizures by the NACOB and if local efforts expand beyond the airport to other ports-of-entry. AIRCOP will be demonstrably evaluated through increased drug interdictions. The project will also result in enhanced and long-term multi-lateral effectiveness, cooperation, and communication. FIT's program indicators will be an increase in investigations and prosecutions of financial crimes and corruption, and the formal establishment of an FIU. -- F. SUSTAINABILTY ACCRA 00000432 003 OF 003 Course graduates will foment change among the ranks by direct peer training and via implementation and perpetuation of best practices. The project's legacy will also reside in amended course curricula. The DEA projects would solidify and underscore the excellent relationship that agency has with NACOB and will ensure that technological and intelligence gains are disbursed to local partners. AIRCOP is a long-sighted, multi-year project that looks to build a solid foundation from tentative footholds. The FIT program will lead to a cadre of highly-trained, highly-placed government officials imbued with the skills to put teeth into a the new money-laundering law. They will have the necessary expertise and expertise to complete this goal. -- G. TIMELINE NOBLE, DEA and FIT trainings will take place in 2008, and AIRCOP will launch by the end of FY 2008. -- H. EVALUATION NOBLE will provide a final report quantifying course attendance, measuring prosecutions and arrests, and estimating the program's impact. DEA training success will be monitored via regional staff and Post reporting. UNODC holds bi-annual technical meetings with heads of airports to identify and overcome problem areas while also identifying and promoting good practices. Detailed mid-term evaluations will be conducted and submitted 24 months after commencement of the project. FIT will be evaluated through the performance of units charged with enforcing the money-laundering statute, and through the functioning of an FIU. -- I. Ghana is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. BROWN