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