Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03TEGUCIGALPA2333
2003-10-01 22:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

IN YET ANOTHER DRUG BUST, HONDURAN POLICE SEIZE

Tags:  SNAR PGOV KCRM KJUS PHUM ECON HO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002333 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR INL/LP, WHA/CEN, AND WHA/PPC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PGOV KCRM KJUS PHUM ECON HO
SUBJECT: IN YET ANOTHER DRUG BUST, HONDURAN POLICE SEIZE
201 KILOS OF COCAINE: 4,949 KILOS SO FAR IN 2003

REF: TEGUCIGALPA 2289

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002333

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR INL/LP, WHA/CEN, AND WHA/PPC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PGOV KCRM KJUS PHUM ECON HO
SUBJECT: IN YET ANOTHER DRUG BUST, HONDURAN POLICE SEIZE
201 KILOS OF COCAINE: 4,949 KILOS SO FAR IN 2003

REF: TEGUCIGALPA 2289


1. (U) On September 30 in the Department of Colon on the
Caribbean coast, Honduran Frontier Police seized another 201
kilos of cocaine. This time, the drugs were hidden aboard a
truck in multiple secret compartments. Police were alerted
to the drug's presence by a local source of information who
reported the truck contained drugs.


2. (U) As the vehicle approached a makeshift police
checkpoint, Honduran authorities motioned the truck to stop.
The driver refused and continued onward. Police then pursued
the vehicle on foot and opened fire, knocking out a tire.
The driver then stopped and fled on foot with another
passenger. Police gave chase but were unable to apprehend
the suspects. The police then searched the vehicle and found
the hidden cocaine.


3. (SBU) Honduran press has reported the seized cocaine is
packaged with similar markings to the approximately 1,026
kilos police confiscated in Roatan on September 24 (reftel),
although Post does not believe the shipments to be related.
This brings the total amount of cocaine seized this year in
Honduras to 4,949 kilos, more than the last five years
combined.
Palmer