Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NASSAU715
2009-11-18 13:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:
NAS SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBH #0715/01 3221323 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 181323Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0041 INFO RHMFISS/CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL RHMFISS/DIRJIATF SOUTH RHMFISS/HQ USNORTHCOM RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC RUEABND/DEA MIAMI FL RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0004
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000715
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/13
TAGS: SNAR SMIG PGOV PREL TK BF
SUBJECT: NAS SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009
REF: 09 NASSAU 647; 09 NASSAU 681
CLASSIFIED BY: Timothy Zuniga-Brown, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S.
Embassy Nassau; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000715
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/13
TAGS: SNAR SMIG PGOV PREL TK BF
SUBJECT: NAS SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009
REF: 09 NASSAU 647; 09 NASSAU 681
CLASSIFIED BY: Timothy Zuniga-Brown, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S.
Embassy Nassau; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (U) This cable summarizes significant NAS and USG
counternarcotics activities in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos
Islands during the period of September/October 2009.
--------------
OPBAT
--------------
2. (SBU) The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF),the Royal Turks and
Caicos Islands Police (RTCIP),and U.S. law enforcement agencies
continued to conduct joint counternarcotics missions under
Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). Overall, FY 2009 saw a
twofold increase in cocaine seizures compared with FY 2008. A
majority of the cocaine seized was found in containers transiting
the Freeport Container Port on Grand Bahama. The total seizures for
FY 2009 and September/October 2009 were:
Fiscal Year 2009:
Cocaine 2,700 kg
Marijuana 23,688 lbs
Currency USD 4,091,102
September 2009:
Cocaine 0
Marijuana 4,360 lbs
Currency 0
October 2009:
Cocaine 74 kg
Marijuana 2,591 lbs
Currency 0
-------------- --------------
NAS Law Enforcement and Demand Reduction Programs
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) RBPF Interceptor Boat Upgrade: In October, Embassy
Nassau's Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) completed much needed
safety and navigational upgrades on the RBPF's Avenger interceptor
boat in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Donated by the USG in 2001, the 40
ft. Avenger is the RBPF's only "go fast" interceptor based on the
island of Grand Bahama. The new upgrades will enable the Avenger to
operate safely at night and in rough seas in support of OPBAT.
4. (SBU) TCI Boarding Officer Training: October 18-22, NAS and U.S.
Coast Guard District 7 Tactical Law Enforcement Team (D-7 TACLET)
conducted a Boarding Officer Workshop with the RTCIP in
Providenciales. The D-7 TACLET team provided training in the most
up-to-date boarding tactics and the TCI participants left with the
skills and knowledge to conduct maritime law enforcement operations
safely in support of OPBAT.
5. (U) Demand Reduction Workshop for Teachers: October 22-24, NAS
sponsored a Drug Abuse Recognition and Education Workshop for
elementary school teachers in Nassau. Part of the GCOB's "Drug Free
Schools" program, the workshop provided its participants with
training as well as lesson plans on drug prevention and education.
--------------
GCOB Activities
--------------
6. (C) RBPF Acquires New Aircraft: The RBPF revived its defunct air
wing on October 30 with the commissioning of a new Cessna-208
"Caravan." According to press reports, the turboprop can be
configured to carry up to 14 passengers and crew or up to 4,000
lbs. of cargo. The $2.2 million aircraft was purchased with monies
from the GCOB's Confiscated Asset Fund (CAF). This is the GCOB's
third major aircraft acquisition of the year. In May, the Royal
Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) commissioned a similar Cessna Caravan
and a twin turboprop Vulcanair P-68 "Observer." COMMENT: The GCOB
has stated plans to use these aircraft as surveillance platforms in
support of anti-drug and anti-migrant smuggling operations.
However, given the RBPF's and RBDF's lack of experience with such
missions and their inability to conduct operations at night, it is
more likely these aircraft will be used to move personnel,
prisoners, equipment and, of course, VIPs, between Nassau and The
Bahamas other major islands.
AVANT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/13
TAGS: SNAR SMIG PGOV PREL TK BF
SUBJECT: NAS SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009
REF: 09 NASSAU 647; 09 NASSAU 681
CLASSIFIED BY: Timothy Zuniga-Brown, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S.
Embassy Nassau; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (U) This cable summarizes significant NAS and USG
counternarcotics activities in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos
Islands during the period of September/October 2009.
--------------
OPBAT
--------------
2. (SBU) The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF),the Royal Turks and
Caicos Islands Police (RTCIP),and U.S. law enforcement agencies
continued to conduct joint counternarcotics missions under
Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). Overall, FY 2009 saw a
twofold increase in cocaine seizures compared with FY 2008. A
majority of the cocaine seized was found in containers transiting
the Freeport Container Port on Grand Bahama. The total seizures for
FY 2009 and September/October 2009 were:
Fiscal Year 2009:
Cocaine 2,700 kg
Marijuana 23,688 lbs
Currency USD 4,091,102
September 2009:
Cocaine 0
Marijuana 4,360 lbs
Currency 0
October 2009:
Cocaine 74 kg
Marijuana 2,591 lbs
Currency 0
-------------- --------------
NAS Law Enforcement and Demand Reduction Programs
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) RBPF Interceptor Boat Upgrade: In October, Embassy
Nassau's Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) completed much needed
safety and navigational upgrades on the RBPF's Avenger interceptor
boat in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Donated by the USG in 2001, the 40
ft. Avenger is the RBPF's only "go fast" interceptor based on the
island of Grand Bahama. The new upgrades will enable the Avenger to
operate safely at night and in rough seas in support of OPBAT.
4. (SBU) TCI Boarding Officer Training: October 18-22, NAS and U.S.
Coast Guard District 7 Tactical Law Enforcement Team (D-7 TACLET)
conducted a Boarding Officer Workshop with the RTCIP in
Providenciales. The D-7 TACLET team provided training in the most
up-to-date boarding tactics and the TCI participants left with the
skills and knowledge to conduct maritime law enforcement operations
safely in support of OPBAT.
5. (U) Demand Reduction Workshop for Teachers: October 22-24, NAS
sponsored a Drug Abuse Recognition and Education Workshop for
elementary school teachers in Nassau. Part of the GCOB's "Drug Free
Schools" program, the workshop provided its participants with
training as well as lesson plans on drug prevention and education.
--------------
GCOB Activities
--------------
6. (C) RBPF Acquires New Aircraft: The RBPF revived its defunct air
wing on October 30 with the commissioning of a new Cessna-208
"Caravan." According to press reports, the turboprop can be
configured to carry up to 14 passengers and crew or up to 4,000
lbs. of cargo. The $2.2 million aircraft was purchased with monies
from the GCOB's Confiscated Asset Fund (CAF). This is the GCOB's
third major aircraft acquisition of the year. In May, the Royal
Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) commissioned a similar Cessna Caravan
and a twin turboprop Vulcanair P-68 "Observer." COMMENT: The GCOB
has stated plans to use these aircraft as surveillance platforms in
support of anti-drug and anti-migrant smuggling operations.
However, given the RBPF's and RBDF's lack of experience with such
missions and their inability to conduct operations at night, it is
more likely these aircraft will be used to move personnel,
prisoners, equipment and, of course, VIPs, between Nassau and The
Bahamas other major islands.
AVANT