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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000579 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR 
INL FOR KEVIN BROWN, HEATHER WILD AND MEAGAN MCBRIDE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL KCRM ASEC HA
SUBJECT: HAITI: MID-YEAR REPORT CARD FOR THE 2010 MAJORS 
LIST PROCESS 
 
REF: STATE 28306 
 
PORT AU PR 00000579  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please 
protect accordingly. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Summary: The Haitian National Police (HNP) continue 
to progress slowly and overall crime is down in Haiti.  The 
HNP are now in the fourth year of their five-year 
internationally-agreed reform plan.  Cooperation with the USG 
remains high.  However, HNP activities, including 
counternarcotics, are hampered by a lack of manpower and 
resources.  Drug seizures are down.  Budget shortfalls have 
made it difficult for the HNP to continue to expand its force 
without substantial assistance from the USG.  Anti-money 
laundering activities are much enhanced and are now among the 
most successful in the Caribbean.  End summary. 
 
Counternarcotics 
---------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The HNP has continued to work alongside DEA agents 
to track and attempt to intercept shipments of cocaine 
entering Haiti primarily via clandestine flights from 
Venezuela as well as marijuana loads via boat from Jamaica. 
The HNP Counternarcotics Unit (BLTS) and the Financial Crimes 
Unit (BAFE) have opened four major investigations in 2009. 
BLTS is investigating an active duty HNP officer linked to at 
least eight clandestine cocaine flights, as part of a larger 
smuggling organization involving prominent Haitians.  The 
BLTS is also investigating two separate clandestine flights 
in which the planes were subsequently burned.  The pilots in 
one case were killed and buried in shallow graves.  Fifteen 
persons have been detained for investigation in the latter 
case.  The BAFE arrested Fourel Celestin, former Director 
General of the HNP, on money laundering charges upon his 
deportation to Haiti after completing his money laundering 
sentence in the U.S.  A judge subsequently released him.  The 
Minister of Justice has ordered him rearrested but Fourel 
remains on the run at this time.  To date, almost no cocaine 
has been seized but over 1000 pounds of marijuana has been 
found in addition to some plants, cash and vehicles.  The HNP 
has established closer working ties with the Jamaican 
Constabulary Force and is now sharing some information on 
smuggling operations along the southern coast of Haiti. 
 
¶4.  (U) As part of plans to increase the marine interdiction 
capabilities of the Haitian Coast Guard (HCG), the USG, using 
$500,000 of Merida Intiative funds initially, will establish 
a small HCG base at Port de Paix on the northern coast.  This 
is the major departure point for smuggling boats.  The GOH is 
coordinating with the USG to provide the land title to the 
site identified for construction of this base.  Plans for the 
facility have been developed by MINUSTAH engineers and will 
be refined with input from the HCG and the U.S. Embassy Coast 
Guard and Military Liaison Offices.  Construction should 
begin before the end of the year. 
 
Fugitive Arrests 
---------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) In 2009 two fugitives wanted on drug trafficking 
and money laundering charges in the U.S. have been arrested 
and removed to the U.S.  Extradition is not allowed under the 
Haitian Constitution but the GOH cooperates with the USG to 
ensure that drug traffickers are available for prosecution in 
the United States.  Convictions in the U.S. are used in Haiti 
as the basis for asset forfeiture and filing of similar 
charges locally. 
 
Money Laundering/Financial Crimes 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) In February the GOH ratified the UN Convention for 
the Supression of the Financing of Terrorism.  The GOH will 
deposit its articles of ratification in the near future. 
They are now conducting a review to determine what 
legislation must be passed in Haiti to conform to the 
Convention.  The BAFE, working in close cooperation with DEA, 
continues to seize assets forfeited by convicted drug 
 
PORT AU PR 00000579  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
traffickers and money launderers incarcerated in the United 
States.  In 2009 they have seized properties and cash valued 
at over 5,700,000 USD.  This is in addition to the 24 million 
USD in property seized in the last quarter of 2008.  The 
Asset Management Fund has been created by the GOH, with 45% 
of the forfeited assets going to the Treasury, 15% to the 
Fund for asset management costs, and the remainder being made 
available to other entities (such as BAFE, BLTS, UCREF, etc.) 
involved in combating drug trafficking for use on special 
projects not funded under the regular budget.  A short list 
of candidates to manage the fund has been sent to the Prime 
Minister to make the final selection. Once a manager is in 
place, a bank account will need to be opened to allow seized 
funds to be transferred back to the GOH. The anti-money 
laundering program funded by INL is now among the most 
effective in the Caribbean.  The Financial Intelligence Unit 
(UCREF) and the BAFE will install UNODC computer software 
funded by the USG this year to upgrade their ability to share 
information and proactively investigate corruption cases 
throughout the GOH. 
 
Police Reform/Development 
------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) In February 702 cadets graduated from the HNP 
Police Academy following seven months of training.  That 
brings the size of the HNP to approximately 9600.  A major 
benchmark of progress in the security arena in Haiti is the 
fielding of at least 14,000 HNP by the end of 2011.  With 
expansion of the Academy through Canadian and US support in 
2008-09, this goal is potentially attainable.  However, the 
HNP is currently experiencing problems recruiting the next 
class of cadets scheduled to enter the Academy in July due to 
severe budget shortfalls.  The current class of 473 cadets 
should graduate in July, but that is also being delayed due 
to lack of funds.  Currently cadets do not receive weapons or 
firearms training before being deployed on the streets due to 
the failure/inability of the HNP to purchase handguns and 
ammunition. 
 
TIGHE