VZCZCXRO7470
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHWN #0567/01 2592242
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 162242Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7767
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1950
RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 BRIDGETOWN 000567 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL AND WHA/CAR 
DOJ FOR DEA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR KCRM KJUS MASS PREL XL
SUBJECT:   Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean:  NAS Summer 2009 
Update 
 
REF: (A) BRIDGETOWN 438; (B) BRIDGETOWN 514 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1. (SBU) The following is a summary of law enforcement and 
counter-narcotics activities and training for July and August 2009 
in Embassy Bridgetown's AOR.  Most of the reporting period was 
dominated by a JIATF-S led operation, Operation Flying Fish II, 
which resulted in numerous contacts with drug runners and a small 
number of seizures -- with the discrepancy between the two a result 
of resource constraints, legislative constraints, and some local 
corruption.  Embassy Bridgetown will lose its NAS Professional 
Associate at the end of September, leaving this vital position 
vacant until a new PA position can be staffed.  The Embassy looks 
forward to receiving an NSDD-38 request from INL to fill a full-time 
NAS position in the ongoing summer, 2010 bidding cycle.  End 
Summary. 
 
---------------------------- 
RECENT ENFORCEMENT SUCCESSES 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) The following is a snapshot of recent narcotic 
enforcement/seizures in the region: 
 
The DEA Bridgetown Office was instrumental in planning and 
coordinating Operation Flying Fish II, a combined air-maritime 
operation between the Regional Security System (RSS) airwing and 
JIATF-S to detect, monitor and interdict vessels suspected of 
illicit trafficking within RSS waters.  To support the operation, US 
Navy and Coast Guard assets were deployed to the region along with 
additional assets that participated as available.  A local DEA agent 
was the primary point of contact for the operation and coordinated 
the flow of strategic intelligence to air/interdiction assets and 
flew aerial surveillance missions with the RSS.  The operation 
lasted from July 6, 2009 through August 24, 2009. Seizures as a 
result of this operation are reported along with other enforcement 
actions under the various country sections below: 
 
BARBADOS: 
 
On July 19, 2009, the Royal Barbados Police Force Drug Squad 
executed a search warrant at a residence pursuant to a joint DEA 
investigation of a known drug trafficker in Barbados.  No drugs were 
recovered.  However, approximately $77,450 Barbados ($38,725 USD) 
was seized from the residence.  No occupants claimed ownership.  A 
Venezuelan and Trinidadian national were arrested at the residence 
for immigration violations. 
 
DOMINICA: 
 
On August 21, 2009, Dominica authorities executed a search warrant 
at a residence pursuant to a joint investigation with DEA and 
arrested two Jamaican nationals following the seizure of 
approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine and materials indicating that 
the cocaine was being sewn into women's under garments for smuggling 
by air couriers. 
 
ANTIGUA: 
 
On September 3, 2009, a Jamaican national was arrested at the 
Antigua International Airport upon arrival from Jamaica pursuant to 
the seizure of seven pounds of marijuana discovered inside a false 
compartment in his luggage. 
 
ST LUCIA: 
 
On July 7, 2009, as part of Operation Flying Fish, the USS Hawes 
while patrolling RSS waters observed a Venezuelan pirogue vessel 
with six outboard engines, numerous fuel drums and 9 individuals 
aboard. The vessel fled south to elude the Hawes until several 
engines were disabled by Helo sniper.  The occupants claimed 
Venezuelan citizenship for themselves and the vessel and stated they 
were fishing (no fishing gear on board).  Thereafter, diplomatic 
protocols for conducting further search were initiated by LEDT.  The 
wait for diplomatic clearance took throughout the day and into the 
early morning hours of July 8, 2009, during which time the Hawes was 
unable to prevent the disabled vessel from drifting into Venezuelan 
Territorial Waters.  The USS Hawes lost sight of the vessel and the 
mission became a search and rescue mission.  On July 9, 2009, 
intelligence was received that the pirogue crew had made it safely 
back to Venezuela with one engine. 
 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000567  002 OF 005 
 
 
On July 22, 2009, a female Jamaican national was arrested by St 
Lucia Customs authorities at the airport in Castries, St. Lucia 
pursuant to the seizure of 1.3 kilograms of cocaine from a concealed 
compartment in her luggage.  Investigation revealed that the female 
was a courier for a Jamaican drug trafficking organization in St 
Lucia. 
 
On July 25, 2009, as part of Operation Flying Fish, the USCGC 
Dependable intercepted a go-fast vessel following maritime pursuit 
in the territorial waters of St. Lucia that resulted in the seizure 
of approximately 103.5 kilograms (228 pounds) of marijuana.  The 
three crew members, Dominica nationals, were arrested by St. Lucia 
authorities and pled guilty in St. Lucia District Court, receiving 
fines and/or prison sentences.  The vessel was forfeited.  Personnel 
from the islands of Dominica and St. Lucia were embarked as "ship 
riders" to provide jurisdictional authority for operating in RSS 
territorial waters. 
 
On July 31, 2009, as part of Operation Flying Fish, the USCGC 
Dependable detected a go-fast vessel with two persons on board near 
St. Lucia territorial waters.  The go-fast was chased to shore where 
it beached itself.  The occupants abandoned the vessel and fled on 
foot.  The USCGC secured the vessel and recovered a package 
containing approximately six pounds of marijuana.  Custody of 
vessel, contents and all evidence was turned over to the St. Lucia 
Marine Police. 
 
On August 15, 2009, USCGC Dependable and USCG HC-130 coordinated an 
interdiction of St Lucia go-fast vessel pursuant to Operation Flying 
Fish.  The USCG HC-130 detected a Venezuelan pirogue headed south 
and a northbound go-fast approximately 39 nautical miles south of St 
Lucia.  The USCGC Dependable intercepted the go-fast and searched 
for two white bales jettisoned one-half mile prior to intercept. 
The jettisoned bales were not recovered, and the St Lucia go-fast 
vessel and two occupants were turned over to St Lucia authorities 
for follow up. 
 
On August 19, 2009, USCGC Dependable, HMS Iron Duke, and the RSS air 
wing coordinated interdiction of a Venezuelan pirogue pursuant to 
Operation Flying Fish.  RSS detected a Venezuelan pirogue (8 Persons 
on board, 5 outboard engines, 18 fuel barrels) and coordinated an 
intercept by HMS Iron Duke approximately 35 miles east of St 
Vincent.  A helicopter asset observed the crew jettisoning 3-4 bales 
prior to intercept. The pirogue had no signs of nationality (or 
registration papers) and the crew claimed Venezuelan nationality 
(none with ID). No one claimed to be captain/master of the vessel 
and all claimed to be Venezuelan fisherman paid to tow a fishing 
vessel stranded in the area (150-200 miles north of Venezuela). 
There were no tow lines on the vessel and no radio/communication 
devices to contact another ship, no GPS or other navigation aids. 
Ion scan swipes returned evidence of cocaine in several areas of 
vessel.  Royal Navy and USCG assets searched water for 16 hours with 
negative results and released the vessel. 
 
On 8/19/09, St Lucia authorities arrested three St Lucia nationals 
and seized approximately forty kilograms of cocaine believed to be 
received from a Venezuelan pirogue on August 18, 2009.  On that 
date, DEA had initiated a maritime interdiction operation with 
Flying Fish assets that ended with negative results. 
 
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TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE 
----------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) The following is a breakdown of training and assistance 
provided during summer 2009 in the region: 
 
NAS FUNDED OR FACILITATED: 
 
a. International Issues in Asset Forfeiture Course, Columbia, South 
Carolina, July 2009: Prosecutors from the Department of Public 
Prosecutors (DPP) and Financial Investigation Units from Dominica, 
Grenada and St Kitts joined colleagues from the Caribbean, South and 
Central America and Mexico attended this conference sponsored by the 
Department of Justice Criminal Division. 
 
b. DARE International Officers Training Conference, Orlando, Florida 
July 21-24, 2009: NAS assisted in arranging the participation of 
five DARE Officers representing Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and St 
Lucia to join over 1500 DARE officers, educators and school 
administrators at this conference which offered over forty training 
workshops. 
 
c. Regional Security System (RSS) Advanced Patrol Course, Grenada, 
August, 2009: NAS funded and helped coordinate this course which was 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000567  003 OF 005 
 
 
four weeks in length and graduated thirty officers from all seven 
countries in our region.  The course developed officers in survival 
skills and jungle environment marijuana eradication.  During the 
course participants lived in tents and while traversing the jungles 
of Grenada they were able to locate and eradicate over 800 marijuana 
plants. 
 
RSO/DS FACILITATED: 
 
a. Surveillance Detection Training, Barbados April 27 - May 28, 
2009:  A total of twenty police officers from throughout the region 
were trained in Surveillance Detection methods as part of the DS/ATA 
Program. 
 
b. Forensic Examination of Terrorist Crime Scenes, Barbados, June 
8-19, 2009:  A total of twenty-four law enforcement officials from 
throughout the region were trained in this subject. The course was 
coordinated by DS/ATA and RSO. 
 
c. Digital Forensics Equipment Grant & Consultations, Antigua, 
September 14-25, 2009: A total of twelve personnel were trained in 
digital forensic equipment. 
 
d. Cyber Crime Workshop, Nassau, September 21-24, 2009:  A total of 
fourteen personnel including representation from Embassy Bridgetown 
AOR received training in Cyber Crimes.  The training was facilitated 
by DS/RSO in concert with DOJ-OPDAT. 
 
e. RSO is assisting the Department of Justice, Overseas 
Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (DOJ-OPDAT) Latin 
America Region to liaison with regional police departments. 
 
LEGAT(FBI) FACILITATED: 
 
a. Mid-level Management Leadership Seminar, St Kitts, July 6-10, 
2009: This seminar sponsored by DOD, DTRA and FBI was attended by 
100 participants from throughout the Caribbean to include Guyana, 
Surinam, Belize, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. 
 
b. Major Case/Crisis Management Training, August 31 to September 4, 
2009, Dominica: This course was attended by thirty officers from the 
Dominica Police Force. 
 
FORCE PROTECTION DETACHMENT (NCIS): 
 
a. Crime Scene Investigation Seminar, Dominica, August 17 - 20, 
2009: This seminar was attended by twenty-five officers, lead 
investigators and detectives from the Dominica Police Force. 
 
b. Equipment Donations: August, 2009:  Partnering with RSO, FPD 
delivered computers and digital scanners to Dominica, St Lucia and 
Grenada.  The equipment was placed in the respective Immigration 
Departments (Port of Entry) and will enable the officers to transmit 
suspect documents for verification in an effective and secure 
manner. 
 
U.S. MILITARY FUNDED (MLO/DOD): 
 
Tradewinds Initial Planning conference (IPC): Funded two 
representatives from each country to participate in Miami in a 
SOUTHCOM-sponsored large scale exercise to further security in the 
region. 
 
FAHUM (IPC) (Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias): Large Scale disaster 
relief exercise.  Hosted some 30 U.S. and Eastern Caribbean disaster 
relief planners at the Embassy. 
 
HMS Iron Duke in July: Supported the activities of the HMS Iron Duke 
in Barbados. 
 
USCG C-130 and Navy E2 Hawkey deployment to Barbados in furtherance 
of Operation Flying Fish 2. 
 
MLO Office conducted a 7-nation, two-week Annual tour of the islands 
to meet and discuss issues with regional leadership. 
 
Traditional Commander's Activities for July and August were: 
¶1. Infantry squad exchange. 
a. Nine Barbados Defense Force infantry to Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, 
to exchange with the Kentucky National Guard. 
b. Nine Kentucky National Guard infantry to Paragon, Barbados, to 
exchange with Barbados Defense Force. 
¶2. Explosive Ordinance exchange. Two Saint Kitts Police Force and 
two Saint Kitts Defense Force to the Bahamas to exchange with 
NORTHCOM. 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000567  004 OF 005 
 
 
 
Dominica and St Lucia provided a shiprider on a USCG cutter for 30 
days in August in support of Operation Flying Fish 2. 
 
 
NAS TRAVEL AND ACTIVITIES 
 
a. (SBU) Narcotic Affairs Officer Jack Zalewski traveled to FSI to 
attend the INL Orientation Workshop July 20-24, 2009. 
 
b. NAO and NAS Budget analyst traveled to Grenada in August of 2009 
to meet with Police, Financial Investigation Unit and Coast Guard to 
inquire as to their progress and needs, and to conduct end use 
monitoring of NAS provided equipment. 
 
c. NAS coordinated and attended a meeting in July, 2009, at Embassy 
Bridgetown for the locally based head of Social Development Section 
of the EU together with two visiting EU personnel from Brussels 
representing the Caribbean Unit at the European Commission in 
Brussels.  The meeting was attended by Embassy Political Chief, 
USAID, and NAS relative to EC/EU initiatives in the region and how 
they might complement upcoming CBSI programs and funds. 
 
d. The NAO joined the Permanent Secretary from the Prime Minister's 
Office in Grenada in providing remarks at the graduation of thirty 
officers of the Regional Security System (RSS) Advanced Patrol 
Course in Grenada in August, 2009. 
 
-------------------------- 
OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The following is a summary of other law enforcement 
activities in the region: 
 
a. (SBU) On September 25, 2009, the Department of State and the 
Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) training office will dedicate a new 
cyber forensics laboratory in Antigua.  This is the culmination of a 
3-year project and total expenditures approximating $800,000. 
 
b. (SBU) Crime-related gang activity continues to be a hot button 
issue within the region.  In addition to St. Lucia experiencing a 
higher than normal murder rate associated with drugs and gangs (ref 
a), St Kitts and Nevis has recently acknowledged their frustration 
with gang violence.  On August 11, 2009, the St Kitts and Nevis 
Prime Minister demanded full implementation of the anti-gang plan 
and policy, and the mobilization of the intelligence and operational 
arms of the anti-gang unit following the murder of a 14-year-old 
school girl in a gang-related shooting. 
 
c. (SBU) During the period of August 12-13, 2009, Embassy Bridgetown 
played host to the second working group meeting for the Caribbean 
Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).  Embassy Bridgetown assisted WHA 
in the coordination of this event.  The United States was 
represented by members of the Department of State, USAID, the 
Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, the 
Department of Defense, the U.S. Southern Command, the Joint 
Interagency Task Force-South, and representatives from U.S. 
embassies throughout the Caribbean region.  The Caricom nations were 
represented as was the Dominican Republic. This meeting followed the 
first meetings held in Paramaribo in late March.  A series of 
discussions was held concerning a declaration and action plan and a 
decision was made to have the Dominican Republic host the next CBSI 
working group (ref b). 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶5. (SBU) Although there were many success stories attributed to the 
Operation Flying Fish program in the region during the period of 
July 6 to August 24, 2009, which are detailed in this cable under 
enforcement successes, a continuing theme emerged relative to the 
failure of an appropriate regional maritime response capacity.  On a 
number of occasions US Navy, Coast Guard and RSS Air Wing personnel 
were able to detect and monitor suspicious vessels involved in drug 
smuggling but were unable to affect an arrest or seizure based on 
the lack of maritime assets in the region or the unavailability of 
existing maritime assets, crews or communication problems.  This 
will continue to be the weak link in enforcement operations in the 
region.  Embassy Bridgetown would encourage the use of CBSI funding 
to address this important component. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) The Embassy will lose its invaluable NAS Professional 
Associate in September, 2009.  This position has provided 
 
BRIDGETOWN 00000567  005 OF 005 
 
 
much-needed and long-neglected full-time oversight to the NAS 
program.  NAS coverage will be a critical fill as we move forward 
with CBSI planning and implementation.  The Embassy is 
re-advertising the Professional Associate position as a stop-gap 
measure, and is very much looking forward to receiving an NSDD-38 
request from INL to refill the NAS Director position, which has been 
vacant since 2006, with a FTE position in the summer 2010 cycle. 
 
HARDT