Jamaica: Whether law enforcement officials are reluctant to protect people that report illegal drug activity
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 18 September 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | JAM35407.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Jamaica: Whether law enforcement officials are reluctant to protect people that report illegal drug activity, 18 September 2000, JAM35407.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be4f10.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a 14 September 2000 telephone interview, the Senior Associate Editor of the Kingston-based Daily Gleaner, who has been studying and writing about drug issues in Jamaica since 1977, stated that he could not imagine a circumstance in which the police would have to provide protection to an informant. The Editor stated that those who provide tips to police regarding the cultivation of marijuana - who and where - do so in secrecy so that the cultivator would never know who reported on this illegal activity. Also, while there is a witness protection program in Jamaica, he was not aware of its use in a drug-related case.
In a 15 September 2000 telephone interview, a Sergeant with the Constabulary Communications Network, the communications arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in Kingston, stated that the police receive anonymous calls about marijuana cultivation, however, because the identity of the caller is unknown, the Sergeant stated that there would be no reason for police protection. The Sergeant was unable provide information regarding police protection for other illegal drug activity.
According to The International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 1999, the Government of Jamaica arrested 6,718 drug offenders in 1999, however "no major drug traffickers were arrested or convicted during 1999 and appear to continue to operate with apparent impunity" (Mar. 2000 Sec. 1).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this information request.
References
Daily Gleaner [Kingston]. 14 September 2000. Telephone interview with Senior Associate Editor.
Constabulary Communications Network [Kingston]. 15 September 2000. Telephone interview with Sergeant.
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1999. March 2000. US Department of State.
Additional Sources Consulted
Caribbean and Central American Report. January 1999-August 2000.
IRB Databases
Jamaica Country File. Resource Centre.
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. January 1999-May 2000.
LEXIS/NEXIS
World News Connection (WNC)
Internet Sites including:
Amnesty International
Bulletin on Narcotics
Caribbean Drug Control Co-ordination Mechanism, UN
High Times
Human Rights Watch
Jamaica Constabulary Force
Jamaica Gleaner [Kingston]
Jamaica Observer [Kingston]
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention
United Nations Drug Control Programme, Caribbean Regional Office
Non-Documentary Sources:
Two oral sources consulted were not able to provide information on this topic.
Unsuccessful attempt to contact 1 additional non-documentary source.
