Embassy Facilitates Second Airport Security Meeting -

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001301 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ASEC DR SUBJECT: Embassy Facilitates Second Airport Security Meeting - Narcotics Remain Primary Thrust REF: SANTO DOMINGO 01018 ¶1. SUMMARY: EconOff facilitated the second Airport Security Working Group (ASWG) of US-flagged air carriers operating in the Dominican Republic (DR),which is aimed at addressing narcotics trafficking and other security issues at the DR's international airports. Group membership was expanded to include US cargo companies, additional international airports, and major airport security and operations contractors. Three subcommittees were formed to address: 1) Anti-narcotics measures including perimeter security and the hiring process, 2) Illegal aliens and false documents, and 3) Information sharing, intelligence gathering, coordination with the Dominican government, and Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC) outreach. Sub-committees were directed to provide recommendations to the larger group at the next meeting in early December. END SUMMARY ¶2. The meeting was attended by: American Airlines (AA), Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, US Airways, UPS, four local contracting firms, US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP),and the US Drug Enforcement Agency. After a brief recap of the first meeting, the airlines shared specific problems and challenges they are facing. AA discovered numerous packages sent through Dominican mail to Spain with small quantities of narcotics - generally less than one pound. AA stated that despite the obvious lead of a recipient address, no steps towards prosecution have been taken in the DR or Spain. JetBlue reported several instances of unaccompanied minors traveling to the U.S. who arrived at the airport in the U.S. without anyone there to meet them. Post is following-up with CBP on the fate of the children. The frequency of narcotics problems varies throughout the Caribbean by airline. AA has significant challenges in the DR while JetBlue reported no incidents. In Jamaica, AA is seeing less narcotics traffic while Spirit Air is getting hit hard. The consensus is that traffickers will exploit security weaknesses wherever they may find them regardless of carrier or country. ¶3. To develop tangible recommendations, and hold more productive conversations, three subcommittees were formed to address: 1) Anti-narcotics measures including perimeter security and the hiring process, 2) Illegal aliens and false documents, and 3) Information sharing, Intelligence gathering, GoDR coordination, and OSAC outreach. Sub-committees were directed to provide recommendations to the larger group at the next meeting in early December. ¶4. COMMENT: Enthusiasm is high among the air carriers to find effective strategies to combat narcotics traffic. With a robust NAS, DEA, and CBP presence at the meetings, the USG and private sector are forming a true partnership to secure the DR's international airports. The challenge will be how to effectively engage GoDR officials that hold the key to prosecuting criminals.. END COMMENT. Lambert