Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRIDGETOWN786
2009-12-04 19:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:
International Efforts Keep Drug Trafficking at Bay in
how-toVZCZCXRO8283 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHWN #0786/01 3381939 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 041938Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0082 INFO EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BRIDGETOWN 000786
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ECON PGOV XL
SUBJECT: International Efforts Keep Drug Trafficking at Bay in
Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, but Activity Expected to Rise:
Fall 2009 NAS Update
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BRIDGETOWN 000786
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ECON PGOV XL
SUBJECT: International Efforts Keep Drug Trafficking at Bay in
Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, but Activity Expected to Rise:
Fall 2009 NAS Update
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) A consistent presence of counter-drug assets from the
international community throughout the summer had a noticeable
impact on suppressing trafficking activity in the Eastern
Caribbean. Most countries in the region continue to lack financial
and human resources to adequately address the challenges associated
with drug trafficking, and look forward to greater cooperation and
tangible assistance through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
(CBSI). Local law enforcement agencies in some countries have
increased emphasis on enforcement of asset forfeiture laws, and
this increased focus has met with moderate success. Embassy
Bridgetown has staffed the NAS position through the Professional
Associates Program and the new officer began a one-year appointment
in October. The Embassy continues to look forward to receiving an
NSDD-38 request from INL to fill the NAS position in the ongoing
summer 2010 bidding cycle as recommended by the February, 2010 OIG
inspection. End Summary.
--------------
RECENT TRENDS
--------------
2. (SBU) Between July and October, 2009, Venezuelan traffickers had
their activities disrupted by the presence of maritime law
enforcement activity in the Eastern Caribbean region. Beginning
with DEA Barbados Operation Flying Fish in July, followed by JIATF
South Operations Caribe Royale (French) and Caribe Venture (Dutch),
there has been a consistent presence of international maritime
counter drug assets in the region. Intelligence indicates that,
although seizures remain low (due to Venezuelan tactics of
weighting and jettisoning contraband to eliminate evidence),these
operations have had a significant disruptive and deterrent effect
on the usual unfettered transit of cocaine through the region.
3. (SBU) Intelligence indicates that cocaine stocks on the
transshipment islands of the Eastern Caribbean are very low at the
moment and, as a result, the wholesale price of cocaine on some
islands such as Barbados has nearly doubled to approximately
9,000-11,000 USD per kilogram. Recent intelligence indicates that
activity is expected to increase significantly as the law
enforcement surge operations wind down, and several drug
trafficking organizations have recently sent smaller test loads
through from Venezuela successfully. Additional intelligence
indicates that some Venezuelan suppliers are also offering small
heroin loads to their cocaine customers in St. Lucia and Dominica
to sample.
4. (SBU) The following is a snapshot of recent narcotic
enforcement/seizures in the region:
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
The DEA Barbados Country Office (BCO) team is working with the
Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) and the FBI
regarding extradition of a drug trafficker from Antigua to
Barbados.
BARBADOS
BRIDGETOWN 00000786 002 OF 004
On September 13, 2009, a French Navy patrol boat intercepted a
vessel in international waters approximately 17 miles north of
Barbados to conduct a boarding inspection. The French Navy seized
approximately 40 kilograms of marijuana from the vessel and
arrested the three crew members. The DEA Barbados Country Office
team shared intelligence that the marijuana was destined for a drug
trafficker in Barbados. The members were transported to the French
Department of Martinique for prosecution.
A female courier for a drug trafficking organization was arrested
on September 19, 2009, upon arrival in the United Kingdom, in
connection with the seizure of approximately 2.5 kilograms of
cocaine. The DEA Barbados Country Office team received information
that the female was traveling to the UK and identified several
subjects at Grantley International Airport in Barbados who are
believed to be part of the courier ring.
DOMINICA
On September 16, 2009, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force
Drug Squad, Joint Intelligence Branch and the Financial
Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant and seized
approximately 2 kilograms of processed marijuana, several marijuana
plants, and currency valued at 4,000 ECD (1481 USD) and 1,000
EUROS (1,500 USD). Five people were arrested in connection with
this drug seizure.
ST. LUCIA
The Royal St. Lucia Police Force, on September 18, 2009, arrested
two St. Lucians and two Venezuelans associated with the seizure of
approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a fuel
container. The DEA Barbados Country Office received and shared
information relating to the St. Lucia organization that was
expecting a cocaine shipment from Venezuela. The four individuals
were traveling in a minivan from the area of a suspected beach
off-load location.
On October 8, 2009, the St. Lucia Customs Department seized
approximately 400 ECD (148 USD) and 10,000 EUROS (15,000 USD) from
a female courier as she attempted to board a flight from St. Lucia
to Port of Spain, Trinidad. The currency was seized after the BCO
received information that the female was traveling to Trinidad to
deliver the funds to Venezuelan cocaine suppliers for a pending
shipment of cocaine.
ST. VINCENT
On October 15, 2009, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Police Force (RSVPF) seized 8,011 ECD from a money launderer in St.
Vincent after BCO received information that the subject was going
to receive a wire transfer of funds from New York for the head of a
drug trafficking organization in St. Vincent.
--------------
ASSISTANCE TO REGIONAL PARTNERS
--------------
BRIDGETOWN 00000786 003 OF 004
5. (SBU) The following is a description of regional assistance
provided in September and October, 2009:
ST. LUCIA
In October, 2009, the USG, through the United States Southern
Command, announced it will spend 634,800 USD to demolish damaged
piers in Castries and Vieux Fort and rebuild them. The piers are
critical to the effective counter-drug operations of the Royal St.
Lucia Police Force's Marine Unit and by extension the overall
counter-narcotics efforts in the Eastern Caribbean. This project
is expected to be completed in October 2010.
DOMINICA
The Dominica Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) last year moved
into new office space located on the upper level of a building in
the heart of the capital city, Roseau. The entrance to the FIU,
near a stairwell at the side of the building, presented a risk of
persons possibly entering the building undetected. NAS Bridgetown
funded a security access system allowing employees of the FIU to
see who is entering the building and grant access as necessary.
The Security Access System was installed October 27, 2009 at a cost
of 1,362 USD.
ST. VINCENT
St. Vincent is known as the biggest producer of marijuana in the
Eastern Caribbean. Drug units have cited the lack of physical
resources necessary to effectively reduce drug trafficking. NAS
Bridgetown, in an attempt to assist the St. Vincent drug squad,
purchased and delivered in October 2009, a 4-wheel drive,
double-cab pickup truck. This vehicle is designed to travel high,
steep terrain where marijuana is grown.
REGIONAL
The Bridgetown Group, consisting of representatives from the
British High Commission, the British Serious Organized Crime Agency
(SOCA),the Canadian High Commission, the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, the European Union, the Organization of American States
(OAS),the United Nations, the French Police Attach????, the U.S.
Drug
Enforcement Agency, and NAS-Bridgetown, met on October 14. Lynne
Anne Williams, Executive Director of the Caribbean Community
Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS),and
Jefferson Clarke, Law Enforcement Advisor for Caribbean Financial
Action Task Force (CFATF) presented their organizations' resources
and capabilities. CARICOM IMPACS is involved in a wide variety of
counterdrug initiatives. The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force
(CFATF) is an organization of thirty states of the Caribbean Basin,
which have agreed to implement common countermeasures to address
the problem of criminal money laundering. In the roundtable
discussion that followed the presentations, there was consensus
among the participants that IMPACS is spread too thin and is
ineffective in many ways. CFATF, on the other hand, is capable and
effective, but too small to have a major impact on increasing the
number of properly conducted financial investigations.
In an effort to maximize use of resources and avoid redundancy,
each organization agreed to send the US NAS representative a list
of all regional activities to be included in a resource matrix.
Many island nations ask multiple organizations for the same
resources, and this matrix is intended to ensure that all of the
BRIDGETOWN 00000786 004 OF 004
partner organizations know what the others have committed in order
to efficiently distribute scarce resources. The group agreed to
meet again on November 18 at which time the resource matrix, CBSI,
and other initiatives will be discussed.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Law enforcement officials continue to cite a lack of
resources as the main reason counterdrug measures are not as
vigorous as they could be. In the Bridgetown Group, two
representatives claimed there had been little or no progress in 19
years. U.K. and EU officials recognize that many of the drugs
produced in Colombia and Venezuela are transited to Europe and
North America to satisfy demand there. They understand that they
have a duty and responsibility to assist Caribbean nations in their
counterdrug activities. However, the resources allocated do not
come close to meeting the challenges.
7. (SBU) The fact that more drugs are staying on the island nations
is complicating matters and increasing local crime and violence.
Corruption is also a problem as local officials find it easier to
look the other way, or accept bribes to allow drug trafficking
internally and externally to flourish. Organizations are more
reluctant now than ever before to commit resources without fully
vetting the recipients. Others in the donor community, struggling
with their own reduced resources, are turning increasingly to the
USG to play the leadership role in stemming the tide of drugs
washing up on the shores of the Eastern Caribbean. Local and
international stakeholders hope that the CBSI will be a
comprehensive, fully-funded, sustainable strategy that will reverse
the dangerous trends in the region. British, Canadian, and EU
partners in particular would like to be kept up to speed on
CBSI-related initiatives to ensure the best possible donor
coordination and best application of their scarce resources.
HARDT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ECON PGOV XL
SUBJECT: International Efforts Keep Drug Trafficking at Bay in
Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, but Activity Expected to Rise:
Fall 2009 NAS Update
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) A consistent presence of counter-drug assets from the
international community throughout the summer had a noticeable
impact on suppressing trafficking activity in the Eastern
Caribbean. Most countries in the region continue to lack financial
and human resources to adequately address the challenges associated
with drug trafficking, and look forward to greater cooperation and
tangible assistance through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
(CBSI). Local law enforcement agencies in some countries have
increased emphasis on enforcement of asset forfeiture laws, and
this increased focus has met with moderate success. Embassy
Bridgetown has staffed the NAS position through the Professional
Associates Program and the new officer began a one-year appointment
in October. The Embassy continues to look forward to receiving an
NSDD-38 request from INL to fill the NAS position in the ongoing
summer 2010 bidding cycle as recommended by the February, 2010 OIG
inspection. End Summary.
--------------
RECENT TRENDS
--------------
2. (SBU) Between July and October, 2009, Venezuelan traffickers had
their activities disrupted by the presence of maritime law
enforcement activity in the Eastern Caribbean region. Beginning
with DEA Barbados Operation Flying Fish in July, followed by JIATF
South Operations Caribe Royale (French) and Caribe Venture (Dutch),
there has been a consistent presence of international maritime
counter drug assets in the region. Intelligence indicates that,
although seizures remain low (due to Venezuelan tactics of
weighting and jettisoning contraband to eliminate evidence),these
operations have had a significant disruptive and deterrent effect
on the usual unfettered transit of cocaine through the region.
3. (SBU) Intelligence indicates that cocaine stocks on the
transshipment islands of the Eastern Caribbean are very low at the
moment and, as a result, the wholesale price of cocaine on some
islands such as Barbados has nearly doubled to approximately
9,000-11,000 USD per kilogram. Recent intelligence indicates that
activity is expected to increase significantly as the law
enforcement surge operations wind down, and several drug
trafficking organizations have recently sent smaller test loads
through from Venezuela successfully. Additional intelligence
indicates that some Venezuelan suppliers are also offering small
heroin loads to their cocaine customers in St. Lucia and Dominica
to sample.
4. (SBU) The following is a snapshot of recent narcotic
enforcement/seizures in the region:
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
The DEA Barbados Country Office (BCO) team is working with the
Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) and the FBI
regarding extradition of a drug trafficker from Antigua to
Barbados.
BARBADOS
BRIDGETOWN 00000786 002 OF 004
On September 13, 2009, a French Navy patrol boat intercepted a
vessel in international waters approximately 17 miles north of
Barbados to conduct a boarding inspection. The French Navy seized
approximately 40 kilograms of marijuana from the vessel and
arrested the three crew members. The DEA Barbados Country Office
team shared intelligence that the marijuana was destined for a drug
trafficker in Barbados. The members were transported to the French
Department of Martinique for prosecution.
A female courier for a drug trafficking organization was arrested
on September 19, 2009, upon arrival in the United Kingdom, in
connection with the seizure of approximately 2.5 kilograms of
cocaine. The DEA Barbados Country Office team received information
that the female was traveling to the UK and identified several
subjects at Grantley International Airport in Barbados who are
believed to be part of the courier ring.
DOMINICA
On September 16, 2009, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force
Drug Squad, Joint Intelligence Branch and the Financial
Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant and seized
approximately 2 kilograms of processed marijuana, several marijuana
plants, and currency valued at 4,000 ECD (1481 USD) and 1,000
EUROS (1,500 USD). Five people were arrested in connection with
this drug seizure.
ST. LUCIA
The Royal St. Lucia Police Force, on September 18, 2009, arrested
two St. Lucians and two Venezuelans associated with the seizure of
approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a fuel
container. The DEA Barbados Country Office received and shared
information relating to the St. Lucia organization that was
expecting a cocaine shipment from Venezuela. The four individuals
were traveling in a minivan from the area of a suspected beach
off-load location.
On October 8, 2009, the St. Lucia Customs Department seized
approximately 400 ECD (148 USD) and 10,000 EUROS (15,000 USD) from
a female courier as she attempted to board a flight from St. Lucia
to Port of Spain, Trinidad. The currency was seized after the BCO
received information that the female was traveling to Trinidad to
deliver the funds to Venezuelan cocaine suppliers for a pending
shipment of cocaine.
ST. VINCENT
On October 15, 2009, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Police Force (RSVPF) seized 8,011 ECD from a money launderer in St.
Vincent after BCO received information that the subject was going
to receive a wire transfer of funds from New York for the head of a
drug trafficking organization in St. Vincent.
--------------
ASSISTANCE TO REGIONAL PARTNERS
--------------
BRIDGETOWN 00000786 003 OF 004
5. (SBU) The following is a description of regional assistance
provided in September and October, 2009:
ST. LUCIA
In October, 2009, the USG, through the United States Southern
Command, announced it will spend 634,800 USD to demolish damaged
piers in Castries and Vieux Fort and rebuild them. The piers are
critical to the effective counter-drug operations of the Royal St.
Lucia Police Force's Marine Unit and by extension the overall
counter-narcotics efforts in the Eastern Caribbean. This project
is expected to be completed in October 2010.
DOMINICA
The Dominica Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) last year moved
into new office space located on the upper level of a building in
the heart of the capital city, Roseau. The entrance to the FIU,
near a stairwell at the side of the building, presented a risk of
persons possibly entering the building undetected. NAS Bridgetown
funded a security access system allowing employees of the FIU to
see who is entering the building and grant access as necessary.
The Security Access System was installed October 27, 2009 at a cost
of 1,362 USD.
ST. VINCENT
St. Vincent is known as the biggest producer of marijuana in the
Eastern Caribbean. Drug units have cited the lack of physical
resources necessary to effectively reduce drug trafficking. NAS
Bridgetown, in an attempt to assist the St. Vincent drug squad,
purchased and delivered in October 2009, a 4-wheel drive,
double-cab pickup truck. This vehicle is designed to travel high,
steep terrain where marijuana is grown.
REGIONAL
The Bridgetown Group, consisting of representatives from the
British High Commission, the British Serious Organized Crime Agency
(SOCA),the Canadian High Commission, the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, the European Union, the Organization of American States
(OAS),the United Nations, the French Police Attach????, the U.S.
Drug
Enforcement Agency, and NAS-Bridgetown, met on October 14. Lynne
Anne Williams, Executive Director of the Caribbean Community
Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS),and
Jefferson Clarke, Law Enforcement Advisor for Caribbean Financial
Action Task Force (CFATF) presented their organizations' resources
and capabilities. CARICOM IMPACS is involved in a wide variety of
counterdrug initiatives. The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force
(CFATF) is an organization of thirty states of the Caribbean Basin,
which have agreed to implement common countermeasures to address
the problem of criminal money laundering. In the roundtable
discussion that followed the presentations, there was consensus
among the participants that IMPACS is spread too thin and is
ineffective in many ways. CFATF, on the other hand, is capable and
effective, but too small to have a major impact on increasing the
number of properly conducted financial investigations.
In an effort to maximize use of resources and avoid redundancy,
each organization agreed to send the US NAS representative a list
of all regional activities to be included in a resource matrix.
Many island nations ask multiple organizations for the same
resources, and this matrix is intended to ensure that all of the
BRIDGETOWN 00000786 004 OF 004
partner organizations know what the others have committed in order
to efficiently distribute scarce resources. The group agreed to
meet again on November 18 at which time the resource matrix, CBSI,
and other initiatives will be discussed.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Law enforcement officials continue to cite a lack of
resources as the main reason counterdrug measures are not as
vigorous as they could be. In the Bridgetown Group, two
representatives claimed there had been little or no progress in 19
years. U.K. and EU officials recognize that many of the drugs
produced in Colombia and Venezuela are transited to Europe and
North America to satisfy demand there. They understand that they
have a duty and responsibility to assist Caribbean nations in their
counterdrug activities. However, the resources allocated do not
come close to meeting the challenges.
7. (SBU) The fact that more drugs are staying on the island nations
is complicating matters and increasing local crime and violence.
Corruption is also a problem as local officials find it easier to
look the other way, or accept bribes to allow drug trafficking
internally and externally to flourish. Organizations are more
reluctant now than ever before to commit resources without fully
vetting the recipients. Others in the donor community, struggling
with their own reduced resources, are turning increasingly to the
USG to play the leadership role in stemming the tide of drugs
washing up on the shores of the Eastern Caribbean. Local and
international stakeholders hope that the CBSI will be a
comprehensive, fully-funded, sustainable strategy that will reverse
the dangerous trends in the region. British, Canadian, and EU
partners in particular would like to be kept up to speed on
CBSI-related initiatives to ensure the best possible donor
coordination and best application of their scarce resources.
HARDT