UNITED STATES President George W. Bush has listed Jamaica among 24 countries identified as chiefly responsible for the producing and trans-shipping of illicit drugs into the U.S.
The other Caribbean nations making the list were Bahamas, Haiti and The Dominican Republic. Twenty-four nations make up what is called the 'Majors List'.
In his annual report to Congress, released yesterday by the U.S. Embassy here in Kingston, Mr. Bush said the U.S. and Canada were the countries mainly targeted by the international drug barons.
JAMAICA THE PREFERRED TRANS-SHIPMENT POINT
"We continue to work closely with the Government of Canada to stem the flow of illicit drugs to our countries and across our common borders."
The report cites Jamaica as the preferred Caribbean trans-shipment point for South American cocaine en route to the United States and the largest Caribbean producer and exporter of cannabis.
But, while acknowledging that the Jamaican Government has been co-operating fully with U.S. authorities to stem the flow of illicit drugs, the report cited areas where improvements were necessary.
"The Government of Jamaica has taken steps to protect itself against drug trafficking and other types of organised crime. However, the Government of Jamaica needs to intensify its law enforcement efforts and enhance international co-operation," the report stated.
"Corruption continues to undermine
law enforcement and judicial efforts against drug-related crime and is a major barrier to more effective counternarcotics action."
The report also noted that while the Government has a policy of investigating credible reports of public corruption, Jamaica "has not prosecuted any senior Government officials for drug-related activities."
