US embassy cable - 04NASSAU1072

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OPBAT SETS STAGE FOR $200 MILLION DRUG BUST

Identifier: 04NASSAU1072
Wikileaks: View 04NASSAU1072 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Nassau
Created: 2004-05-27 19:49:00
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Tags: SNAR BF Narcotics
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS NASSAU 001072 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL/LP/KEVIN BROWN 
JUSTICE FOR OPDAT/ROBERT LIPMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, BF, Narcotics - OPBAT 
SUBJECT: OPBAT SETS STAGE FOR $200 MILLION DRUG BUST 
 
1. Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) 
provided vital intelligence and assets to USG drug 
enforcement authorities that led to six arrests and 
the seizure of 820 kilos of cocaine. 
 
2. On May 25, 2004 OPBAT personnel received human 
intelligence of two go-fast boats attempting to 
complete a large transshipment of narcotics from The 
Bahamas to Florida.  Based on the timely 
confidential information, Bahamas-based U.S. Coast 
 
SIPDIS 
Guard and Homeland Security Department's ICE 
authorities established surveillance on the vessels 
both with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. 
 
3. With the support of interceptor boats, USG law 
enforcement agents boarded the first go-fast boat. 
The second go-fast boat engaged authorities in a 
high-speed chase that ended ten miles off Hollywood 
Beach, Florida. Five Bahamian nationals and a 
Florida resident were subsequently arrested. 
 
4. The two boats transported 820 kilos of cocaine. 
ICE officials in Florida reported the seizure of 1 
ton of cocaine with a street value of nearly $200 
million, making this seizure one of the biggest drug 
busts in many years. 
 
5. Comment. Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos 
(OPBAT) once again proved to be a crucial player in 
the fight against drug trafficking by providing 
important intelligence and assets that has resulted 
in one of the largest drug bust in the area ever. 
End of Comment. 
 
 
WITAJEWSKI 

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