DRUG PRODUCTION UNABATED

The unabated production of cocaine, marijuana and synthetic drugs
mean The Bahamas and the US must maintain their resolve in the fight
against illicit drug trafficking, according to Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette.

The unabated production of cocaine, marijuana and synthetic drugs
mean The Bahamas and the US must maintain their resolve in the fight
against illicit drug trafficking, according to Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette.

Citing the latest Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission
(CICAD) report, Mr. Symonette's comments came at the opening of the
Bahamas-US Joint Drug Task Force meeting on Friday.

The meeting marks the first time Mr. Symonette and newly appointed
US Ambassador Ned Siegel will participate in the talks, which came
days after CARICOM and US Department of State officials met in
Nassau to discuss the enhancement of measures to combat illicit arms
trafficking.

Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest said at CARICOM-US
meeting that arms trafficking is linked to drug trafficking and
migrant smuggling.

Due to the growing concern, according to Mr. Symonette, migrant
smuggling has now been added to the task force's mandate.

Ambassador Siegel also spoke at the opening of the meeting.

He lauded the efforts of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT)
and reiterated the US commitment to ensuring that it remains a success.

"The United States government is therefore committed to assisting
with the development and deployment of inter-operable communications
equipment. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) will be providing new
state-of-the-art communications equipment for the OPBAT operations
centre here in Nassau," he said.

"This equipment along with State Department-funded equipment should
allow for real-time communication between OPBAT's assets, the Royal
Bahamas Defence Force and the Turks and Caicos' Police Marine Division."

Mr. Siegel also shed some light on the recent tri-lateral meeting in
the Turks and Caicos between that country, The Bahamas, and the United States.

At that meeting officials migrant smuggling and narcotics
trafficking. He said the meetings resulted in a series of
tri-lateral measures officials hope will enhance border control.

"We agreed to the real-time exchange of information and intelligence
concerning drug and migrant trafficking, as well as for other
threats to the region," he said.

"We agreed to continue to provide assistance to Haiti and to
continue to provide legitimate trade with Haiti, while tightening
measures to prevent illegal activities. We established a task force
with members from all three governments that will meet regularly
to create protocol for real-time exchange of information."

Mr. Siegel said the three countries agreed to meet again on New
Providence in three months to establish a regular dialogue, with
hope of one day include the governments of Haiti and the Dominican
Republic in the discussions.

Mr. Siegel added that the Turks and Caicos will purchase a
state-of-the-art radar system, capable of tracking Haitian vessels
as they travel through its waters.