US embassy cable - 05NASSAU1156

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 001156 
 
SIPDIS 
 
INL/LP FOR KEVIN BROWN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, KCRM, BF, Narcotics - OPBAT 
SUBJECT: 2005 COUNTERNARCOTICS CERTIFICATION 
REPORT CARD (BAHAMAS) 
 
REF: STATE 94578 
 
1. In accordance with Reftel request, Post 
submits the following report card on The 
Bahamas' counter narcotics performance during 
2005: 
 
1) The USG asked the GCOB to complete its 
National Anti-Drug Plan. 
 
-- During the Joint Task Force meeting, on 
December 13, 2005, the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs announced that the long-awaited 
national drug strategy had been approved by 
Cabinet.  The Government is expected to 
initiate the implementation of the plan 
during mid-2005.  The Embassy was informed 
that the government of the Bahamas has 
identified a building to house and a person 
to lead, the National Drug Secretariat. 
 
2) The USG asked the GCOB to continue to 
facilitate the extradition of individuals 
involved in drug trafficking. 
 
-- In an unexpected decision issued on May 
10, 2005, Supreme Court Justice Jon Isaacs 
ruled that the U.S.-Bahamas Extradition 
Treaty was valid but constitutionally 
unenforceable due to a failure of the 
Government of the Bahamas to obtain 
parliamentary approval for the public funds 
expended to process and implement extradition 
requests from the USG.  The Government 
immediately requested a stay of the Judge's 
ruling and said that it would lodge an 
immediate appeal to the Court of Appeals. 
The appeal is set to be heard June 21-21, 
2004.  It is expected that the losing party 
will seek appeal to the Privy Council in 
London. Although the GCOB communicated to the 
Embassy that the status of the validity of 
the Extradition Act remains unaffected by 
Judge Isaacs' ruling, Post is closely 
watching developments and their implications 
for the more than twenty extradition requests 
at different stages in the system. 
 
3) The USG asked the GCOB to continue its 
anti-money laundering and asset confiscation 
efforts. 
 
-- After intense scrutiny by international 
organizations and the USG, and a reallocation 
of resources, the Attorney General's Office 
has markedly improved the timeliness of its 
responses to Mutual Legal Agreement requests. 
In December 2004, an MOU was signed to 
facilitate the exchange of information 
between the Central Bank of The Bahamas and 
the US Securities and Exchange Commission. 
 
-- In June 2005, The Financial Action Task 
Force expressed satisfaction with the level 
of responsiveness of the GCOB to information 
requests from international regulators.  The 
Embassy continues to encourage the Bahamas to 
continue to provide adequate resources to 
meet its international commitments. 
 
4) The USG asked the GCOB to continue its 
efforts against drug transportation and 
distribution. 
 
-- The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) 
continued to collaborate closely and 
effectively with the Drug Enforcement 
Administration and other USG agencies in 
targeting and dismantling major Bahamian drug 
trafficking organizations.  After the 
takedown of major drug organizations in what 
was Operation "Busted Manatee," that netted 
14 arrests and 2 extraditions; law 
enforcement observers have seen an increase 
in drug smuggling activity in Haitian small 
vessels or sloops.  These vessels are 
traditionally used to smuggle illegal 
migrants. 
 
-- During the first five months of 2005, the 
RBPF seized 68 lbs of cocaine and 3.8 mt of 
marijuana and made 556 arrests. (Comparable 
figures for a similar portion of 2004 were 
1.62 mt of cocaine, 3.14 mt of marijuana, and 
53 arrests.) 
 
-- The RBPF's three NAS-donated fast response 
boats continue to provide an "end game" for 
OPBAT helicopter pursuits of drug smuggling 
"go-fast" boats.  NAS funding has made 
possible to keep the operational readiness of 
these important assets.  In addition NAS has 
supported the acquisition of intelligence- 
gathering equipment to make these missions 
more targeted and efficient. 
 
-- The Comprehensive Maritime Agreement 
approved last summer is being fully 
implemented and has effectively replaced 
patchwork of law enforcement agreements and 
arrangements, some of which pre-dated 
Bahamian independence in 1973.  The agreement 
has assisted both in counter-drug and migrant 
smuggling operations allowing for a more 
effective use of GCOB and USG assets. 
 
5) The USG asked the GCOB to enact 
legislation for the control of precursor 
chemicals. 
 
-- The Government-drafted precursor 
legislation has yet to reach Cabinet for its 
review and approval.  Because The Bahamas is 
not known to have a precursor problem, this 
legislation is not a Bahamian Government 
priority and is unlikely to be introduced 
into parliament before the end of 2005. 
 
ROOD