Pubdate: Tue, 14 Dec 2010
Source: Jamaica Gleaner, The (Jamaica)
Copyright: 2010 The Gleaner Company Limited
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Website: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/493

JAMAICA TURNS BLIND EYE TO DRUG SMUGGLERS - WIKILEAKS CABLE

The Guardian is reporting that Cuban anti-drugs officials have accused
Jamaica of giving drug smugglers free rein in Caribbean waters and
skies. This is based on a secret US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks.

The report states that members of Cuba's interior ministry and coast
guard complained to the US and UK that their Jamaican counterparts
stood idly by as traffickers zipped between the islands en route to
the United States.

According to the Guardian this further strengthens suspicion that drug
lords have bought the co-operation of Jamaican politicians and law
enforcers.

"Cuban [interior ministry] officials contend that narcotics smugglers
from Jamaica are utilising both Cuban airspace and waters to transport
narcotics ultimately destined for the United States, but their
repeated attempts to engage Jamaica on the issue have been ignored,"
wrote Jonathan Farrar, the US chief of mission in Havana.

A US coastguard drug interdiction specialist who worked closely with
Cuban colleagues reported their being incensed by the Jamaicans'
"complete lack of co-operation" in failing to share information,
return calls or respond to tip-offs.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake