JAMAICA IS the main transhipment port for drugs being transported from Colombia to North America, Senior Superintendent of Police, Carl Williams, said yesterday.
SSP Williams told the West Kingston Commission of enquiry that, because of its geographical position, Jamaica had become the first major land call for boats shipping narcotics destined for the United States and Canada.
He said that "go fast" boats were the main means of transportation. These boats were mostly seen in the south coast areas of St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, as well as the north coast parishes of St. James and St. Ann and recently in St. Thomas.
He said that a number of the boats were Jamaican-owned and that while were some involved in legitimate activities, most were owned by Jamaicans, Bahamians and Colombians involved in drug trafficking.
SSP Williams said, however, that only 2%-3% of the drugs transhipped through Jamaica remain in the island.
He said that most of the cocaine coming into Jamaica was from Colombia and was transported mainly by the "go fast" boats and twin-engine aircraft. He said that a number of foreign nationals residing in the island were involved, including Colombians, Canadians, Americans and British citizens.
He said that the cocaine was sold in the United Kingdom for 70,000 pounds per kilo and crack for 120,000 pounds per kilo, in the United States for US$25,000-$35,000 per kilo and in the United States and in Canada for US$30,000-$45,000.
He said that there was a significant link between drug trafficking, gangs and crime as the drugs financed the gang operations. Most of the money for the export of the drug from Jamaica was sent back via remittance services or by money couriers (people who take back the cash by hand).
He said that Haiti and the Dominican Republic also played major roles in transhipment of cocaine from Colombia to the US.
SSP Williams said that the new Wiretap Bill passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, could "very well" be of assistance to his unit, but that he could not say much about it, because he had not gone "into the ramifications of the Bill."
The narcotics chief said that there was no evidence to support speculation that there was a link between the drug trade and the events of July 7-10 in West Kingston which ended in 27 deaths.
He revealed, however, that during the execution of a recent operation by the security forces, "something had been found" which "could spark some interest". He said that the investigations were still going on and asked the Commissioners' permission not to say anything more. But, SSP Williams insisted that there was no significant change in his position that there was not enough evidence to make a link between the two.
He said that there was no evidence either that anyone in Parliament has any links with drug trafficking. He said that there were people involved in shady activities who also have political affiliation.
He said that he, "honestly," could not say that his hands were tied at the political level.
Asked by chairman of the Commission, Julius Isaac, to what extent corruption of public officials, including police, customs and port authorities, was an impediment to the work of his division, SSP Williams admitted that it was, to a significant extent.
Mr. Isaac asked what measures were being taken to deal with that problem. He said that whenever evidence of collaboration is found it is pursued and arrests and charges are made.
He told PNP lawyer Linton Walters that the Shower Posse was no longer considered a significant priority in terms of the drugs trade.
"We don't sit in our briefings in the mornings and discuss them. We discuss some other people," he told Commissioner Isaac.
Colombians were singled out by SSP Williams for their involvement with drug trafficking in Jamaica. He said that while he could not say how many Colombians were living in Jamaica, they were monitored and enquiries made into the legitimacy of their operations.
He said that relatively few Jamaicans use crack or cocaine, mainly because the cost of crack, of at least $50 for a small piece, made it prohibitive.
Ten persons died last year from ingestion of cocaine for export, and one since 2002 he said.
These couriers are paid US$2-3,000 for a US trip and 3,000 pounds sterling for a U.K. trip. But, they are only paid if the drug is successfully delivered. Sometimes they are given a retainer or downpayment.
He said that almost all of them who are caught, refuse to name the persons for whom they carry the drug because some are friends, others are genuinely fearful and some follow a "code of honour" not to inform.
He said that technology like Ionscan equipment, which can detect drugs in containers and operates like a mechanical sniffer, were needed. But that it would need legislative amendments to introduce it.
SSP Williams admitted that his division had done much less than desired, in terms of intercepting shipments, although they have been fairly successful in terms of capturing couriers who ingest the drugs.
He said that the strategy which his division employs is:(1) to deal with the cocaine coming in; (2) to deal with cocaine traded and moved around on land;(3) is outward movement of cocaine using people and sea and airports and a high level of co-operation with foreign drug enforcement agencies.
