LARGEST DRUG BUST IN HONDURAN HISTORY YIELDS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 001702

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/LP, DRL/PHD, AND EB/TRA
STATE FOR WHA, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2013
TAGS: SNAR PGOV KJUS ASEC HO KRCM
SUBJECT: LARGEST DRUG BUST IN HONDURAN HISTORY YIELDS
APPROXIMATELY 2,000 KILOS OF COCAINE


Classified By: Ambassador Larry L. Palmer for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: On July 16 Honduran authorities seized
approximately 2,000 kilos of cocaine hidden in a secret
compartment aboard the "Broad Fire Leader," a Cayman Islands
flagged vessel that had departed Panama July 11. The vessel
docked at French Harbor, Roatan, a small Bay Island port not
normally associated with international commerce. The police
arrested six Honduran nationals; two crew members and four
other individuals associated with the operation. This
seizure is being touted as the largest in Honduran history.
It raises the total amount of cocaine seized this year in
Honduras to almost 4,000 kilos. END SUMMARY


2. (C) On July 16 Honduran authorities seized approximately
2,000 kilos of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment aboard
the "Broad Fire Leader," a Cayman Islands flagged vessel with
registration number 731916 that had departed Panama July 11.
The vessel was docked at French Harbor, Roatan, a small port
not normally associated with international commerce.
According to press reports, police were alerted to the
presence of the vessel by an anonymous phone call. Police
spokesman Leonel Sauceda stated that the special
investigative police, known as the DGIC had prior knowledge
concerning the ship's illicit activities. Authorities
arrived on the scene at approximately 0600 but did not board
the vessel until 0700. (Comment: In fact, the Embassy TAT
passed intelligence information to the INL funded joint
intelligence center (CEINCO) that then forwarded the
information to the DGIC. End Comment.)


3. (C) The ship's manifest stated that its cargo of beer,
tires, and electronic goods was intended for a local Honduran
business, but authorities soon determined the business did
not exist. Due to foot-dragging by Public Ministry
prosecutors, however, police did not actually search the
vessel until approximately 1730, over 11 hours after the fist
call had been placed to the District Attorney's office.
Police then brought in drug sniffing dogs which alerted
authorities to the existence of drugs on the ship. A cursory
observation of the vessel suggested a secret compartment
below the main hold. A search of this compartment yielded 92
packages of cocaine totaling approximately 2,000 kilos.


4. (U) Police immediately arrested the ship's two captains,
Danley Miles Woods (38) and Edmund Kickson (49),both
Honduran nationals and residents of Roatan. Police later
arrested four other Honduran nationals associated with the
operation: Ricky McKensi (24); Ferry McKensi (26); Chrisman
Lee McKensi (18); and Orny Johnson (19)
Palmer