DESPITE being seldom recognised for their efforts, the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard has been making great strides in stemming the illicit drug-for-guns trade between Jamaica and other Caribbean countries.

According to statistics provided by the JDF, the coast guard has been responsible for the seizure of 2,600lbs of marijuana in 2007 - 565lbs more than what was seized in 2006 - and more than 4,000lbs of marijuana at the island's ports since the start of the year.

During a 2006 inland marijuana eradication drive spearheaded by the coast guard in collaboration with the Narcotics Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and members of the Jamaica Defence Force Infantry, 200lbs more of the weed were seized and seven fields, six acres, six nurseries, two huts and more than 70,000 marijuana seedlings were destroyed.

"Most of the marijuana seizures in 2007 were made at our nation's ports from canisters attached to vessels. The majority of the marijuana seized in 2008 were linked to marijuana bound for export via small go-fast vessels or canoes," Lieutenant Steve Batchelor told the Observer.

Batchelor, a member of the coast guard for nine years and second in command of the Surrey vessel - one of three ships in the Coast Guard's newest fleet of vessels - said that a strengthened approach as well as increased joint operations with members of the JCF, has led to a decrease in cocaine seizures at the nation's port.

Only five ounces of the dangerous drug was seized during the three-year period.

"Whenever you pressure traffickers in one area, you will find that they will find other areas to conduct their activities. That explains the decrease in cocaine finds, with the implementation of Operation Kingfish in 2004 and the assistance of the United Kingdom and the Dutch, we have seen a reduction in go-fast vessels which the traffickers would normally use to transport the drug from Col****ia. With that pressure on the sea, we suspect that traffickers are using other routes through Central America and the eastern Caribbean," said Batchelor.

According to the senior army man, the increased operations of the coast guard signifies the army's commitment to protecting the reputation of the shipping industry as well as protecting the island's ports against being black listed by other countries.

"Four thousand and forty-four pounds of marijuana were confiscated in 2008, consider what that means when one pound of the compressed drug can value more than US$100. We intend to continue to increase patrols and work even closer with local and international law enforcement agencies to c****at the illegal trade," said Batchelor.

Jamaica, a country overrun by an increase in gun-related offences, has been battling the scourge of illegal weapons that have spread across almost every parish in the country. The majority of these weapons are garnered through the illegal trade of drugs and other supplies between Jamaica and countries such as Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua.

 

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