JAMAICA: RESPONSE BLUE LANTERN LICENSE 050134831

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001082 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR PM/DTCC (KYLE BALLARD) STATE FOR WHA/CAR (ACADIEUX) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC JM SUBJECT: JAMAICA: RESPONSE BLUE LANTERN LICENSE 050134831 REF: A) STATE 129448 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel request, Post has provided the following information to establish the bona fides of A & A Dealers in Spanish Town. Econoffs and members of the U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security visited A&A's offices on December 18. Reftel indicated purpose is for commercial resale in Bolivia, this conflicts with statements of the business owner who said he does not/not sell or re-export firearms from Jamaica. Employees and Principals -------------- ¶2. (SBU) A and A has been in business for over twenty years and is owned by Ernest Hoo. His son-in-law Charles W. Brady, who is an American Citizen and lives in the United States, also is a licensed firearm dealer in Jamaica and will periodically return to Jamaica to run operations when Mr. Hoo is on leave. Employees also include: Maxine Thomas -- Office Assistant Maxine Smith -- Sales Representative Alicia Morgan -- Sales Representative Wendell Wilson -- Security Manager Clarence Simpson -- Firearm repairs expert Deborah John -- Accountant Barbara Brooks -- Cleaning Staff Typical Customers -------------- ¶3. (U) A&A sells a range of handguns and shotguns as well as a range of firearm accessories. The business offers firearm repairs and is in the process of building a shooting range on the premises. The range should be completed in the next few months. It is located just down the hill from the police academy and its shooting range. Most of the customers shoot for sport and some belong to the private security business or are connected to Jamaican law enforcement entities. Customers come from all over the island. Regulations -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Mr. Hoo said he was aware of regulations relating to importing firearms from the U.S. from having been in the business for a few decades. He was not specifically aware of regulations regarding import of US origin defense items and International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR); because he said he does not export any firearms. He said all is sales are to domestic customers. He was aware of restrictions on re-transfer and re-export, but said they did not apply to him because he does not re-export or re-transfer firearms. Purpose is Not Resale in Bolivia -------------- ¶5. (U) Reftel lists "Purpose: COMMERCIAL RESALE IN BOLIVIA." Mr. Hoo said he does not/not export any firearms and does not conduct in any transactions in Bolivia or elsewhere in South America. This is either a typographical error in reftel or a red flag regarding this shipment. Only individuals who possess a Firearm License Certificate issued by the Jamaican Firearm Licensing Authority are allowed to make purchases of firearms or ammunition. Security -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The business has an alarm system. It has cameras on site, but does not have a camera on the entrance to the vault. Mr. Hoo said he was going to add a camera there. Front entrance of the shop has metal bars separating the rest of the shop. Entrance to the back of the shop is through a wood door accessed through a key pad alarm. All employees who work in the back of the store have the code to the key pad alarm. The vault where the ammunition and firearms are kept is concrete with reinforced steel doors. The main vault also has an interior metal grate door which has a key padlock. Mr. Hoo has the only key to this lock. Access to the exterior vault door is held by Mr. Hoo and Ms. Maxine Thomas. The vault door is open during the day and all employees in the back of the store including cleaning staff person have access to the vault room which contains firearms and ammunition. Mr. Hoo said he has never had a theft or robbery from his store. HEG