REQUEST FOR TDY CUSTOMS CONTRACT ADVISOR IN PORT OF SPAIN

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000436 DELIBERATIVE PROCESS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DHS FOR A/ASSISTANT COMMISIONER CHARLES STALLWORTH, OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS STATE FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PBTS PGOV EWWT TD SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR TDY CUSTOMS CONTRACT ADVISOR IN PORT OF SPAIN ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The GOTT Customs and Excise Division (TTCED) requests technical assistance to complete an overtime study designed to help it begin nationwide 24/7 port operations. Such a study would bolster GOTT efforts against drug transshipments, providing oversight at ports at all hours, as well as have a positive economic impact and be a plus for bilateral ties. Post supports this GOTT desire and requests assignment of a TDY Customs and Border Patrol contract advisor using CBP advisory project funds provided by GOTT. Action request in para six. END SUMMARY. INTERDICTION EFFORTS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Situated seven miles off the coast of Venezuela at its closest point, drug traffickers use Trinidad and Tobago as a transshipment point for cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Over the past decade, Trinidad has suffered from a sharp increase in violent crime related to this trade. In response, the GOTT has mandated that law enforcement agencies, including the Customs and Excise Division (TTCED),combat narcotics trafficking. The GOTT plans to operate its ports around the clock to provide greater oversight of shipments. GOTT REQUESTS ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) TTCED leadership has requested CBP technical assistance to complete an overtime study that would assist it in instituting twenty-four hour operations. Building on prior work by an American contractor, it is hopeful that the project could be completed by a TDY CBP contractor paid for with advisory project funds from the GOTT. Ideally, it notes, whoever was assigned would have an understanding of the already-prepared preliminary overtime report. The person should be prepared to travel to various ports (being aware of local sensitivities) and assess staffing and workloads. ¶4. (SBU) As the study likely would lead to a drastic cut in overtime pay, it will rub some current customs personnel the wrong way. For that reason, the resident CBP advisor is not well-place to carry out this work and subsequently continue his normal activities. Reflective of the sensitivity of the project, the GOTT further requests that any TDY official work out of the Finance Ministry, not the Customs office. INTERAGENCY SUPPORT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Embassy's DEA Office supports the assignment of a CBP TDY advisor, believing that the work product would improve the GOTT's capacity to identify and interdict narcotics while also enhancing the level of cooperation between USG law enforcement representatives and TTCED investigators, including by easing access to the TTCED container information database. The rest of the Embassy LEWG also supports this GOTT request. ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Embassy Port of Spain requests DHS' favorable consideration of the foregoing GOTT request. Further information can be provided through our resident CBP advisor directly to DHS headquarters. KUSNITZ