US, Jamaica partnership to fight drug smugglers
May 18, 2006
IT'S MIDNIGHT and maritime law enforcement officers suspect a major drug smuggling exercise is about to unfold at sea.
Instantly, two high-speed security vessels take off for the smugglers, but their decent must be a surprise.
By now, a law enforcement helicopter is hovering in front of the suspected drug boat and its worried crew gathers on the deck.
Within 30 seconds, the soldiers quietly disembark their high-speed vessels, board the drug boat and command control.
This was the scenario on Tuesday, as 18 Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers ended their two-day training with navy officers from the United States Ship (USS) Monterey.
The training was part of the Partnership of the Americas Programme focussing on security and protection from terrorist attacks, cooperation in border security and narcotics interdiction.
According to commanding officer for the JDF Coast Guard, Sydney Innis, such training partnerships are significant.
"When you train for maritime interdiction you cover a gamut of scenarios that you may encounter," he told The Gleaner aboard the USS Monterey off the coast of Port Royal, Kingston. In adding that the soldiers were also exposed to search and rescue and custody of evidence techniques.
Commander Innis said as part of the two-day exercise, the Jamaican soldiers were also exposed to other ways of conducting interdiction activities. Additionally Com-mander Innis said the JDF will ensure that programmes are put in place for the reinforcement of the knowledge acquired though the programme.
Vice-president of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Superinten-dent James Forbes, said given that Jamaica was a major transhipment point for drugs going into the United States, it is critical that relationships be strengthened with that government....
Author: Damion Mitchell
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
