VZCZCXRO4482
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHWN #0339/01 1601628
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091628Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7468
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEABND/DEA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BRIDGETOWN 000339 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND INL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ECON PGOV XL
SUBJECT:  Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean: May 2009 NAS Update 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  (SBU) The island nations that make up Embassy Bridgetown's area 
of responsibility - Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, 
Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines continue to see a steady increase in the volume of 
narcotics destined for and transshipped through the region.  As a 
result of the impact of Plan Colombia and the Merida Initiative, 
drugs destined for both North American and European markets have 
begun to flow through the Caribbean at greater levels.  Local law 
enforcement continues to be under-resourced and plagued with 
antiquated legal codes and corruption in the ranks.  Additional 
resources, to include a functional regional maritime entity, 
expanded training, and a robust integrity (vetting) program will be 
required to gain ground and momentum in the fight against 
narco-traffickers along the U.S. Third Border.  Following is a 
summary of recent law enforcement and counter-narcotics activity and 
training in Embassy Barbados' AOR.  End Summary. 
 
---------------------------- 
RECENT ENFORCEMENT SUCCESSES 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The following is a snapshot of recent narcotic 
enforcement/seizures in the region: 
 
BARBADOS: 
 
-- 3/9/2009:  Police seized 1684 pounds of marijuana delivered from 
St. Vincent via vessel following off-load to a beach on the east 
coast of Barbados.  The vessel is believed to have returned to St. 
Vincent (no air/marine assets available to monitor) and the beach 
off load crew escaped when police moved in (no arrests). 
 
-- 4/2/2009:  An arriving passenger from Guyana was arrested on 
arrival at the Barbados Airport in possession of 3.62 kilograms of 
cocaine.  The passenger had been interviewed by Police on arrival 
and turned over to Customs for further inspection and the discovery 
of the drugs. 
 
-- 4/4/2009:  Approximately 990 pounds of marijuana was seized off 
the west coast of Barbados.  The marijuana had been transported via 
go fast vessel from St. Vincent. There were no arrests made 
regarding this seizure. 
 
-- 4/6/2009:  Approximately 500 pounds of marijuana was seized off 
the east coast of Barbados.  The marijuana had been transported via 
go fast vessel from St. Vincent and no arrests were made regarding 
this seizure. 
 
ST. LUCIA: 
 
-- 12/31/2008:  St. Lucia Police arrested 3 persons pursuant to a 
traffic stop and seized 86 kilograms of marijuana and a loaded 
handgun.  The Bridgetown DEA office assisted police in the follow-up 
investigation and exploitation of intelligence obtained. 
 
-- 1/30/2009:  Two passengers were arrested on arrival at the St. 
Lucia Airport in possession of 1,975 grams of cocaine concealed on 
their person.  The passengers were booked on to a connection flight 
to England. 
 
-- 3/1/2009:  St. Lucia Police arrested two persons after they 
attempted to export 4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a box of 
plantains.  The shipment was bound for Ontario, Canada. 
 
-- 3/17/2009:  A joint search warrant operation comprising personnel 
from the St. Lucia Police Drug Squad, Criminal Investigation 
Department, Central Intelligence Unit and Special Branch resulted in 
the arrest of two individuals and seizure of a handgun, $178,700 
Eastern Caribbean (EC) and $14,940 in USC. 
 
-- 5/5/2009:  Eight persons were indicted by a federal grand jury in 
New Jersey pursuant to a joint investigation by DEA/ICE New Jersey 
airport group following the arrest of two drug couriers by British 
Customs at London's Heathrow Airport upon arrival from JFK airport. 
The investigation by Bridgetown DEA and St. Lucia Police determined 
that a Jamaican courier organization recruited persons from NY/NJ to 
fly to Jamaica and/or St. Lucia where they were provided with 
luggage containing kilogram quantities of cocaine to transport to 
the U.S. and ultimately to Great Britain and Canada.  As a result of 
the investigation it was determined that 3 of the 8 persons indicted 
were based in St. Lucia. 
 
DOMINICA: 
 
-- 1/1/2009:  Based on a joint Bridgetown DEA, British Serious 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000339  002 OF 004 
 
 
Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) and Dominica Drug Squad, BVI Customs 
maritime intercepted a vessel and arrested two crew members pursuant 
to the seizure of 56 kilograms of cocaine received from Dominica. 
 
-- 1/19/2009:  Local DEA office coordinated an investigation with 
Dominica Police regarding a Chinese National with Dominican passport 
travelling to Puerto Rico with a large sum of cash.  As a result, a 
total of $31,322.45 was seized on arrival in Puerto Rico based on 
the failure to declare the currency.  The joint investigation 
continues between DEA and Dominica Police. 
 
-- 1/19/2009:  Dominica Police executed a search warrant which 
resulted in the seizure of 1506 pounds of marijuana at a residence 
in Dominica.  An arrest warrant has been issued for the owner of the 
property. 
 
-- 3/8/2009:  A departing passenger bound for St. Maarten was 
arrested prior to boarding a flight and found to be in possession of 
1 kilogram of cocaine concealed on his person. 
 
-- 3/11/2009:  Dominica Police and a Marine Unit seized a small 
fishing vessel containing 28 kilograms of cocaine and 472 kilograms 
of marijuana.  The occupants of the vessel fled to shore and escaped 
prior to a police response.  Authorities also seized a Toyota 
pick-up truck and 18 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition abandoned at the 
scene. 
 
GRENADA: 
 
-- 2/3/2009:  Grenada Police Drug Squad and the Financial 
Intelligence Unit seized $68,000 US from a Trinidadian National 
female courier, as she attempted to board a vessel from Grenada to 
Trinidad.  The defendant subsequently pled guilty to possession of 
narcotics proceeds and was fined $10,000 EC.  The $68,000 US was 
confiscated by the Grenadian Government. 
 
-- 4/10/2009:  The local DEA office coordinated with Grenada Police 
to locate a Trinidadian subject residing in Grenada who was subject 
to a provisional arrest warrant based on a DEA New York case. 
Grenada Police located and deported the individual back to Trinidad 
where he was arrested by Trinidadian law enforcement authorities for 
extradition to the United States. 
 
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS: 
 
-- 1/28/2009:  Members of the Police Drug Squad conducted marijuana 
eradication operations in the Cedar Grove area of St. Christopher. 
Approximately 8,217 marijuana plants were seized and one defendant 
was arrested within the marijuana field. 
 
-- 2/3/2009:  Members of the Police Drug Squad conducted marijuana 
eradication operations in the Needmust's area of St. Christopher. 
Approximately 11,482 marijuana plants were seized.  The plants 
ranged in height from seedlings to 7 feet tall. 
 
-- 5/7/2009:  Members of the Police Drug Squad and Defense Forces 
conducted marijuana eradication operations in the Shadwell area on 
St Christopher.  Approximately 1,327 marijuana plants were seized 
and one defendant was arrested at the location. 
 
-- 5/8/2009:  Members of the Police Drug Squad conducted marijuana 
eradication operations in the Challengers mountain area of St. 
Christopher.  Approximately 1,082 marijuana plants were seized and 
one defendant was arrested at the location. 
 
MARTINIQUE: 
 
-- 2/9/2009:  French Navy patrol boat intercepted a go fast in 
international waters approximately 60 miles north of Colombia and 86 
miles northwest of Aruba.  Pursuant to a boarding inspection, 
approximately 613 kilograms of cocaine was seized from the vessel 
and 6 crew members were transported to Martinique for prosecution. 
The local DEA office is assisting the French drug task force 
(OCTRIS) with exploitation of evidence and information gained from 
the arrest and statement of the 6 crew members. 
 
ST. VINCENT: 
 
-- 2/13/2009:  St. Vincent Police Drug Squad members intercepted the 
arrival of a cargo vessel which runs between St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.  A passenger was questioned, 
searched and as a result arrested after being found in possession of 
1 kilogram of cocaine. 
 
-- 2/20/2009:  St. Vincent Police Drug Squad intercepted a vessel on 
arrival from Barbados via the Grenadines.  Three taped brown 
packages containing currency, $78,000.00 Barbados and $3,000 USD was 
seized as a result. 
 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000339  003 OF 004 
 
 
-- 4/25/2009:  Based on a joint investigation between the local DEA, 
the British Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA), St. Vincent 
Police and St. Vincent Financial Intelligence Unit and the Royal 
British Virgin Islands Police three suspects were arrested in St. 
Vincent for extradition to the BVI for the seizure of 59 kilograms 
of cocaine in the BVI on 1/8/2008. 
 
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA: 
 
-- 3/2/2009:  The Antigua Office of National Money Laundering and 
Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) seized 859.5 pounds of marijuana in 
Antigua and arrested 5 individuals. 
 
-- 3/7/2009:  Antigua Police and Drug Squad eradicated approximately 
2,000 marijuana plants in the Sanderson Estate are of Antigua and 
seized approximately 33.5 pounds of processed marijuana.  Two 
suspects were arrested at the scene. 
 
-- 3/21/2009:  Antigua Police Drug Squad received information 
concerning a vessel on its way to Antigua with a large sum of cash 
to purchase cocaine.  The investigation resulted in a search warrant 
that found 1 kilogram of cocaine, 256 grams of marijuana and 
$52,000.00 USD.  A total of 5 suspects were arrested. 
 
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JIATFS SURGE OPERATIONS 
----------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) From 1/28/09 to 1/30/09, The Embassy DEA office was 
instrumental in establishing and providing logistical support for 
combined air operation between the RSS Air Wing and JIATF-S to 
detect, sort, monitor and hand off to interdiction assets target 
vessels suspected of illicit trafficking within RSS waters.  DEA 
coordinated the flow of strategic intelligence to air/interdiction 
assets and a DEA Agent flew aerial surveillance missions with the 
RSS. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) From 2/2 to 2/19, The Embassy DEA office provided 
intelligence and logistical support to JIATF-S, French CTG 4.6, RSS 
Air Wing and other US Military air/marine assets deployed in the 
region pursuant to a French led surge operation to increase the 
amount of detection/interdiction assets in the region to disrupt and 
deter maritime trafficking. 
 
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TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE 
----------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The following is a breakdown of ongoing training being 
provided in the region: 
 
¶6.  (SBU) NAS FUNDED: 
 
-- RSS Basic Course (Barbados and St. Vincent) 1/19 - 4/16/2009:  37 
Officers trained 
 
-- Drug Commander Conference (St. Kitts): 3/16 - 3/20/09:  18 
Officers trained 
 
-- Offshore Alert Financial Due Diligence Conference (Miami): 4/26 - 
4/28/09:  1 Officer trained 
 
-- DEA Drug Unit Commanders Course (Quantico, VA) 5/11 - 5/22/09:  1 
Officer trained 
 
¶7.  (SBU) INL FUNDED: 
 
-- DARE Regional Conference (Barbados): 4/20 - 5/9/09:  27 Officers 
trained 
 
¶8.  (SBU) U.S. MILITARY FUNDED (MLO/DOD): 
 
-- During the months of January and March of 2009, the MLO Office 
facilitated the visit of the U.S. Navy Ship HSV 2, the Swift.  The 
crew of the Swift provided training in numerous disciplines to 
include Small Boat Maintenance/Repair; Basic/Intermediate Coxswain; 
Armed Sentry; Marksmanship training and Port Security.  A total of 
236 personnel from region were trained during the visits of January 
and March of 2009.  In addition the MLO coordinated an Intelligence 
Seminar in Grenada sponsored by the State Partnership with the State 
of Florida which trained approximately 40 personnel.  In addition, 
the MLO recently signed an MOU with the JIATFS and the RSS to fund 
approximately 25 flying hours per month for the RSS air wing at a 
cost of $175,000 for the remainder of this year which will allow the 
RSS to provide dedicated flight hours for JIATFS. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) LEGAT (FBI) FUNDED: 
 
-- At the Drug Commanders Conference in St. Kitts in March of 2009, 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000339  004 OF 004 
 
 
the Legat office provided a speaker from FBI Headquarters to present 
a large block of instruction on gang identification and 
investigations.  The training was vital to the region and well 
received.  In May of 2009, the Legat Office arranged for 12 alumni 
of the FBI National Academy in the region to attend the Latin 
American Chapter of the National Academy Graduate training 
conference in Brazil. 
 
-- During the month of April the Legat Office coordinated the 
deployment of an FBI evidence response team from Miami to process a 
kidnapping crime scene in St. Kitts. Evidence was processed and 
forwarded to the FBI lab in Quantico.  St. Kitts made the request 
for assistance based on their inability and lack of expertise in 
proper evidence gathering at the scene of serious crimes. 
 
------------------------- 
NAS TRAVEL AND ACTIVITIES 
------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  During the period of January through May of 2009, the 
following travel and activities were performed by the NAS Office at 
post: 
 
-- Travel to all seven island nations in the Embassy area of 
operation to perform end use monitoring of INL assets in the Region 
performed in January of 2009. 
 
-- Introductory meetings at Department of State with WHA and INL in 
February of 2009 
 
-- NAS was a presenter as well as a participant in the Drug Unit 
Commanders Course and Pre-IDEC meetings in St. Kitts in March of 
¶2009. 
 
-- JIATFS Planning Meetings in Key West, Florida in April of 2009. 
In conjunction with this Meeting NAS also participated in numerous 
meetings with HQS INL personnel and fellow NAS personnel from 
throughout the WHA area. 
 
-- Caribbean Financial Action Task Force Plenary in Trinidad in May 
of 2009.  NAS participated as part of the U.S. delegation to this 
meeting. 
 
-------------------------- 
OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶11.  (SBU) On March 31, the Charge hosted a signing ceremony for the 
eTrace Memorandum of Understanding in Bridgetown.  The Bureau of 
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Deputy Assistant 
Director Julie Torres signed the MOU that will provide eTrace, an 
electronic system used to trace illicit firearms, to several 
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) police commissioners and police 
officials from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, 
Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines, Montserrat, and St. Lucia.  This is an ongoing effort to 
combat firearms trafficking in the region consistent with the 
December 2007, joint CARICOM-U.S. Initiative on Combating the 
Illicit Trafficking in Small Arms and Light Weapons and Ammunition. 
Since the signing, Guyana has also entered into the MOU during May 
of 2009. 
 
¶12.  (SBU)  During March of 2009, local news outlets reported that 
Dominica had received a new patrol boat to combat trafficking in 
persons and drugs.  Post has determined that the boat is a 40-foot 
"Sea Ark" vessel and was financed by the Government of Venezuela. 
 
HARDT