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HAITI
Summary: U.S. enforcement officials have noted increased trafficking through Haiti as some older traffic routes have become more policed. Lack of police resources, a long and unpatrolled coastline, poor communications, and the increase in black market and contraband of all kinds make Haiti a tempting stop for cocaine and marijuana in transit to the U.S.
U.S. The years 1987 and 1988 in Haiti will very likely be a time of political agitation, economic misery, and, quite likely, civil unrest. Given the already limited resources of the Haitian Government, this political situation will undoubtedly impact negatively on GOH ability in narcotic enforcement matters. Summary.
End
Although political leaders' and police have shown willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities on drug enforcement matters, the fragile political situation and economic distress in Haiti have caused drug enforcement to become a rather low priority in Haiti.
As discussed in the March 1987 report, production are not major factors in Haiti.
cultivation and
The most significant new development is the expected opening of a DEA office in Port-au-Prince, scheduled for October 1987. This will allow Haiti access to on-the-spot expertise in narcotic enforcement matters. Major Carrei Occil remains the primary police contact for narcotic matters. He has a staff of less than thirty to monitor enforcement for the entire country. One of Occil's deputies attended the DEA training course in Glynco, Georgia in June of 1987. In May of 1987, the U.S. presented Occil's office with twenty thousand dollars in radio equipment to aid in enforcement and detection procedures.
Between January 1987 and June
and June 1987 only two significant interdictions took place under Haitian auspices. In February, one ton of marijuana was discovered on the ship, La Coloma. In April, three large bales of marijuana were seized from the Marie Belle.
In March, 660 pounds of cocaine were discovered on
an Air Haiti flight. United States Customs levied a $10.5
$10.5 million fine but criminal investigation is not yet complete. In March, the wife of a high-ranking Haitian Army officer was arrested for cocaine smuggling. The subsequent investigation based on this arrest is continuing. Since rumors persist of official involvement in drug trafficking, the further willingness of the GOH to actively pursue this case would be seen as an indication of the government's commitment to drug enforcement matters.