April 2008 Narcotics Report-Jamaica

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000587


STATE FOR INL/LP NBozzolo, KBrown, WHA/CAR Tilghman

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN ASEC JM
SUBJECT: April 2008 Narcotics Report-Jamaica


1. Summary
--------------
Cocaine statistics for the period January to April indicate peaks
and troughs in seizures, with upward spikes in February and April.
Between February and April, one thousand six hundred and ninety
seven persons were arrested and fifteen motor vehicles were seized
over the same period. In April, one aircraft and a go-fast vessel
were seized. The above arrests and seizures are all related to drug
crimes.


2. Operation Buccaneer
--------------
The Jamaica Defence and Constabulary Forces focused their efforts in
six parishes where they destroyed 86 hectares of marijuana, 3
kilograms of seeds, 2000 units of seedlings and .028 kilograms of
hashish.

Drug Eradication & Seizure
April 2008 Y-T-D 08

Cocaine, Kilograms 15.448 37.510
Crack Cocaine, Kilograms 0.337 .389
Marijuana Growing, Hectares 86.108 163.210
Marijuana Cured, Kilograms 626.362 7,724.310
Seeds, Kilograms 3.160 5.43
Seedlings, Units 2000 103,000
Hashish, Kilograms .028 11.849
Nurseries, Units 0 5.0



3. Joint Law Enforcement Operations
--------------
Three joint law enforcement operations resulted in the seizure of
approximately 480 kilograms of compressed marijuana, arrests of
eleven persons and the seizure of one motor vehicle and one
aircraft. The first operation took place at Lollipop Beach in Bull
Bay, St. Andrew where there was an exchange of gunfire between the
security forces and the alleged drug traffickers. It is believed
that the dealers operating in this area are part of "guns for ganja
trade" that continues between Jamaica and Haiti. The second
operation took place in Saint Catherine without incident. An
aircraft which landed at the decommissioned Vernam Field was seized
by law enforcement officers and a 29 year old Bahamian, Jimmy
Johnson was charged with illegal landing and entry. No drugs were
found.


4. Maritime Operation
--------------
The Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard seized a go-fast vessel in the
Portland Bight area and 146 kilograms of compressed marijuana.


5. Jamaica Constabulary Force:
Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team (JFAT)
--------------
Donald Gordon and Donovan Skelton were arrested in Jamaica and
Nassau Bahamas respectively. Gordon was wanted in the United States
for bank robbery and Skelton for second degree murder. Gordon was
extradited to the US while Skelton is awaiting extradition.

Jillian Hill who was arrested in March 2008 for murder was handed
over to Cobb County Sheriff's by Senior Inspector Thaddeus Lee.

The table below provides a breakdown of JFAT activities:

April 2008

New Cases Opened 11

Closed Cases 12
Open/Pending Cases 186

Outstanding Provisional Warrants 18
Arrest on Provisional Warrants 1
Formal Extradition Completed 2
Suspects in Custody Pending Extradition 22


REGIONAL STATISTICS
New International Cases 1
Cases Closed 6
Open/Pending Cases 12
Arrests on Provisional Warrants 1


Johnson