International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Section
Director of OPBAT Operations, Commander Louie Parks with Youth Express campers at the RBDF base. (Photo State Dept.)
The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Section administers bilateral counternarcotics and law enforcement assistance programs with The Bahamas and with the Turks and Caicos Islands. The office serves as a resource to the Ambassador on counternarcotics, anti-money laundering, international crime, and rule of law issues. It is also the coordinating office for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). INL is a part of the Department of State's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Through its programs, the U.S. government has provided nearly $20 million in funding for Bahamian counterdrug and law enforcement efforts since 1987.
Project Areas
As a part of the Caribbean Basic Security Initiative and its mandate, INL approaches assistance to improve citizen security with a broad, holistic view. Current funding areas include demand reduction, counter narcotics control, law enforcement professionalization, justice reform, and corrections reform. All projects are implemented in partnership and cooperation with the relevant parts of the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and with reference to the National Anti-Drug Strategy.
Recent programs include Senior Management Training for Her Majesty's Prison and a donation of a $600,000 marine interceptor from Safe Boat International to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marine Unit on Grand Bahama. Other programs include a $100,000 grant to the Bahamas National Drug Council for a demand reduction program, including the successful “Youth Express” campaign; and a contraband detection system for Her Majesty’s Prison.
Bilateral Cooperative Efforts: INL provides equipment, training, and technical assistance to the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), the RBPF Forensic Laboratory, the Police College, the Joint Information Coordination Center (JICC), and the RBPF Drug Canine Unit, as well as to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, Bahamian Customs, and the Bahamian court system. NAS also provides support to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police (RTCIP) and TCI Customs.
Regional Cooperative Efforts: INL funds maintenance, repair and replacement of housing and equipment for the base facilities of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), a three-nation joint counternarcotics interdiction effort involving the RBPF, RTCIP, DEA, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
INCSR
The annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) issued by INL contains detailed sections on The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Links:
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/fs/2011/177423.htm)
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (http://www.state.gov/j/inl/index.htm)