VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKG #0287/01 0601159
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011159Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4393
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 7422
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3022

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000287 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/C, INL/LP (BOZZOLO) AND WHA/CAR (BUDDEN) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC JM KCRM PGOV SNAR
SUBJECT: JAMAICAN CRIME UPDATE 
 
REF: A)KINGSTON 69 AND B)KINGSTON 71 
 
1.(U) Summary:  This is an action message. See paragraphs 10 
and 12.  The GOJ has made specific requests for USG 
assistance in tackling on-going efforts to quell violent 
crime.  In January, a surge in violence shocked the Jamaican 
public and prompted the Commissioner of Police to warn of 
worse to come during months leading up to national elections 
this year.  But, after an initial spate of violence, things 
appeared to cool off by the middle of February.  The GOJ 
refined its anti-crime strategy.  As the epicenter of violent 
crime seemed to have shifted from Kingston to Montego Bay, 
law enforcement operations focused on Montego Bay. End 
summary. 
 
CRIME FIGURES 
 
2.(U) According to figures supplied by Deputy Police 
Commissioner Mark Shields, the number of persons arrested and 
charged for criminal offenses in Jamaica between January 1st 
and February 18th was 1,894 in 2007, compared to 2,338 for 
the same period in 2006.  However, murders committed during 
this period increased by 21% nation wide in 2007.   While the 
greater Kingston area was at the same number of murders as 
last year (125), St. James Parish (Montego Bay) went from 18 
murders for the period in 2006 to 31 in 2007, a 72% increase. 
 Clarendon (a marijuana trafficking center) registered an 
increase of 111%, going from 9 murders in this period in 2006 
to 19 in 2007.  So far this year, six police officials were 
murdered.  Comment:  Murders overall in Jamaica decreased by 
20% last year, compared to 2005. End Comment. 
 
ANTI-CRIME STRATEGY 
 
3.(U) On January 22, cabinet reportedly endorsed an 
anti-crime strategy put forth by Minister of National 
Security Peter Phillips.  Phillips made the strategy public 
on January 29.  He emphasized that it was not a new strategy; 
rather it was a plan for "staying the course."  Basically, 
that meant applying what worked in Kingston elsewhere.  It 
included the following: 
 
- applying hot-spot policing (intense focus of resources) to 
trouble areas any where in Jamaica 
- conducting joint operations using the Jamaica Defence Force 
(JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) 
- establishing a permanent presence of Operation Kingfish on 
the Western end of the island 
- expanding the Major Investigations Task Force to Western 
Jamaica 
 
4.(U) But, Phillips did call for some new initiatives, as 
well.  They were 
 
- new legislation to allow DNA evidence to be collected from 
accused persons 
- enactment of the Proceeds of Crime Act before the end of 
February 
- legislation to provide stiffer penalties for persons 
trafficking in firearms 
- legislation to establish a National Investigative Authority 
to deal with investigations of corruption in all areas of 
public life 
- deploying marine vessels around the island and establishing 
three permanent marine police bases on the south coast to 
deal with arms smuggling 
- a major recruitment drive to increase numbers and quality 
of JCF staff 
- review the Police Service Regulations and the Book of Rules 
to expand legal powers to remove tainted JCF members 
- strengthen operation of the newly created Police Civilian 
Oversight Authority and the anti-corruption unit within the 
JCF's Professional Standards Branch 
- Upgrade technologies available to the JCF, including the 
police radio system and the 119 emergency hotline 
 
5.(U) Following the Minister's lead, Commissioner of Police 
Lucius Thomas gave an address on January 31, in which he 
elaborated on plans to gain control over criminal elements. 
In addition to measures indicated above, Thomas said he 
wanted to target known criminals, using intelligence and 
surveillance to get the evidence needed to arrest and 
prosecute them.  The Commissioner said government needs to 
formally establish a Source Management Fund and System, which 
would permit the JCF to pay informants. After initial GOJ 
funding, subsequent monies would come from the forfeitures 
under the Proceeds of Crime Act. 
6.(U) Thomas also wanted the following: 
 
- Better monitoring of the highways (more ad hoc check stops) 
- Automated license plate reading technology and closed 
circuit television systems 
- Revamp the Witness Support Unit 
- Merge the Canine Division into the Narcotics Division 
- Strengthen the Organized Crime Investigative Division to 
include financial crimes in collaboration with the Financial 
Investigation Unit 
- Create an islandwide electronic criminal database 
- Improve the police recruitment process to include mandatory 
drug testing of new recruits 
- Change the law to give Commissioners the authority to 
dismiss police officers, who after due process, have been 
found guilty or have lost the confidence of the 
"organization" 
- Hire an International Police Officer (IPO) to the 
Anti-Corruption Division 
- Increase marijuana eradication and interdiction to attack 
the "guns for ganja" trade 
 
7.(SBU)  Comments: The anti-crime strategy is ambitious and 
comprehensive.  Much of what the Minister and Commissioner 
want will depend on additional funds from the GOJ.  Phillips 
is negotiating his budget with the Minister of Finance.  The 
strategy contains several elements that we urged the GOJ to 
adopt early in January (reftel B).  These include hiring the 
International Police Officer, gaining control over the 
problem of corruption within the JCF, and enactment of the 
Proceeds of Crime Act.  The Proceeds of Crime Act was passed 
February 23.  On February 27, the Acting NAS Director 
(NASDIR) was informed that the ten applicants for the 
anti-corruption IPO position had been short listed to three, 
all British nationals.   Pending availability of the selected 
candidate, this person could be on board by April. End 
Comment. 
 
SECURITY FORCES FOCUS ON MONTEGO BAY 
 
8.(U)  Joint JCF/JDF forces immediately began the attack on 
criminal elements in the Montego Bay area.  Most of the 
murders were blamed on rival criminals wanting a larger piece 
of the pie of illicit funds being bilked out of Americans who 
are being victimized by the so called "lottery scammers." 
Jamaicans contact mostly elderly Americans and tell them they 
have won the Jamaican lottery.  However, money is needed to 
process their winnings. Not all the details are available yet 
about these activities. 
 
9.(U)  On February 15, police detained 32 people for 
questioning regarding their links to the lottery scam.  Of 
that number five were recently formally charged, including 
the so-called mastermind, who was a former PNP Youth 
Organizer. Law enforcement operations are being coordinated 
by Kingfish.  Kingfish brings together intelligence, 
surveillance, investigations and enforcement operations.  It 
was reported that the scam was facilitated by employees in 
the information communication technology (ICT) sector in 
Montego Bay.  Some ICT employees worked with local criminals 
by providing them with data on American clients which is then 
exploited in the scam.  These locals are linked to the 
notorious Stone Crusher Gang, which may provide the muscle to 
settle disputes among the scam artists. It is likely that 
before the operation ends, the Stone Crusher Gang will itself 
be crushed.  They are linked with a number of violent crimes 
in the Montego Bay area, not just the lottery scam.  Another 
tactic the JCF is applying is community policing tactics 
learned from the Grant's Pen project in Kingston. 
 
¶10. (SBU)  On February 26, NASDIR met with Chief Technical 
Director of the Financial Investigations Division Christine 
Chambers and Alwyn Herriman, Principal Director of Financial 
Crimes Unit.  They explained that they have been working 
behind the scenes in the above mentioned operation.  They 
have acquired considerable information about persons in the 
U.S. who are potential witnesses, as well as the identities 
of people who are providing personal data on potential 
American victims of the scam.  The GOJ officials made a plea 
for the embassy to try to get an official from the U.S. 
Secret Service to come to Jamaica for a few days to advise 
 
SIPDIS 
them with regard to the U.S. links in the scam.  The embassy 
supports their request and has asked INL to coordinate 
contact with the Secret Service. 
 
GUNS FOR GANJA (MARIJUANA) -- OR IS IT MEAT? 
 
11.(U)  For many years, the GOJ has attempted to stem the 
influx of illegal firearms to the island.  Uncontrolled 
availability of arms was historically linked to increasing 
levels of violent crime.  During an election year, 
unregulated access to firearms takes on the added concern 
that election results will be influenced by the actions of 
politically affiliated criminal bosses.  That explains why 
the GOJ is taking a more pro-active approach to reducing 
availability of illegal arms.  At present, the GOJ sees the 
biggest threat coming from the "guns for ganja" trade, 
whereby Jamaican marijuana is traded/sold for guns coming 
from Haiti and Central America.  A number of JCF/JDF 
operations have been directed against the trade this year. 
In one such operation (conducted by Kingfish) early this 
month, eleven persons, including three Haitians and one 
Honduran, were arrested. Following that operation, a Kingfish 
spokesman was quoted in the press saying that they would be 
targeting Jamaicans operating legitimatQbusinesses who are 
employing fisherman to transport the guns and marijuana. In a 
separate incident, on February 5, a policeman wasQilled in a 
shoot out in Spanish Town.  It was discovered that the gunman 
shot him with a .380 pistol marked Police Nationale DeHaiti. 
Jamaica's National Intelligence Bureau was tasked with 
tracing the gun through INTERPOL. 
 
12.(SBU) In a related move, the GOJ intensified its efforts 
to seize large marijuana shipments.  By the end of January, 
the GOJ had seizured 12,348 pounds of compressed marijuana, 
compared to 2608 pounds in January 2006. The GOJ also wants 
to be more aggressive in eradicating marijuana.  The Minister 
of National Security has asked if the USG can assist by 
providing a helicopter lift support to transport JDF and JCF 
eradication teams to the growing sites.  The Ministry is 
prepared to schedule such an operation at a time when the 
U.S. has suitable assets available.  The JDF lacks personnel 
transport helicopters for such an undertaking and currently 
seems to be experiencing a shortage of fuel.  The embassy 
requests that SOUTHCOM consider the request and provide a 
response that we can pass to the Minister. 
 
13.(U)  Haitian involvement now appears to extend to ganja 
farming in Jamaica.  A story published 25 February in The 
Gleaner tells of an undercover reporter who visited a ganja 
farm.  He saw the usual things -- nursery, drying sheds, and 
fields under cultivation.  The farm employed 36 workers.  Of 
these, 19 were Haitians, who reportedly were more productive 
than the Jamaican laborers.  The activity was well funded, 
with a Jamaican in Haiti to keep an eye on operations there 
and one Haitian on the farm for the same purpose. 
 
14.(U)  Recently, Operation Kingfish announced that 
intelligence suggests that there is also a thriving trade in 
cattle carcasses for guns. This activity is reportedly behind 
the uQing in cattle stealing in the parishes of St. 
Elizabeth and Manchester.  To date, however, no smuggler in 
possession of cattle carcasses has been caught. 
 
ELECTION YEAR VIOLENCE 
 
15.(SBU)  By the end of February, fear of 
politically-motivated violence had abated.  On February 20, 
NASDIR asked Mark Shields if he had engaged in any further 
negotiations to resolve violent disputes among 
politically-affilliated criminal leaders.  He said that, 
since his January intervention in the Mountain View area of 
Kingston (reported in Kingston 110), there had been no 
further problems requiring that action.  Shields cautioned, 
however, that he may have to engage in negotiations in 
Kingston's Grants Pen area.  There is a problem between upper 
and lower Grants Pen.  Comment:  Conflict resolution in Mt. 
View involved Minister Phillip Paulwell and Danhai Williams. 
Shields advised that he has employed this tactic several 
times since 2005.  Grant's Pen is the site of the USAID 
community policing project.  End Comment. 
 
CONCLUSION 
 
16.(SBU)  In a poll earlier this year, Jamaicans identified 
crime as their number one concern.  In an election-year, both 
major political parties are fully aware of the importance of 
attacking the problem.  Minister Phillips may also see 
tackling the roots of the crime problem as part of the legacy 
he wants to leave should his tenure as Minister of National 
Security end, follQing elections.  In any case, the GOJ is 
attacking the problem more vigorously than in the past.  A 
variety of international law eQorcement opportunities 
present themselves in this changed environment.  Now that the 
GOJ recognizes that marijuana cultivation is closely linked 
to political stability, it is prepared to act more 
comprehensively than in the past when a few trucks took crews 
with brush cutters to limited ganja-growing sites.  However, 
the GOJ appears to lack the resources to do so on its own. 
 
17.(SBU) The crime situation in Montego Bay is serious enough 
that the Peace Corps is considering pulling some of its 
volunteers out of that area.  Having made great gains through 
community policing in Grant's Pen, USAID is particularly 
concerned about prospects for violence in Grant's Pen.  USAID 
plans to extend community policing techniques to other locals 
in Jamaica, including the Montego Bay area.  They are 
planning a conference in Montego Bay which will draw 
attention to the threat that crime and violence pose to 
democracy and sustainable development.  The conference 
(scheduled for March 28 and 29) is titled, "Guns, Ganja and 
Governance:  A Local Problem With a Regional Dimension." 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HEG