Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TEGUCIGALPA2222
2004-10-05 16:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
HONDURAN POLICE DELIVER BLOW TO SUSPECTED
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002222
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: HONDURAN POLICE DELIVER BLOW TO SUSPECTED
NARCOTRAFFICKERS; SEIZE LOTS OF CASH
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002222
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: HONDURAN POLICE DELIVER BLOW TO SUSPECTED
NARCOTRAFFICKERS; SEIZE LOTS OF CASH
1. (U) On October 2, Honduran police confiscated USD
1,070,000 from suspected Honduran narcotraffickers near the
city of San Pedro Sula (SPS) after discovering the cash
during the search of a suspect truck at a police inspection
stop. The money was found concealed in spare tires inside a
sealed compartment. Police seized 107 packets containing USD
10,000 each; all bills were USD 20 denomination. There are
reports of a few counterfeit bills among the cash.
2. (SBU) According to Honduran press reports, prior to
stopping at the police barrier, occupants of the truck, and a
SUV possibly providing security for the truck, had apparently
been in a fire-fight with members of another vehicle,
resulting in a female occupant of the SUV being injured.
When questioned by police, the vehicles' occupants claimed
they were the victims of an ambush. Police, however,
initially made no arrests. (Note: DEA reports that the
vehicle's occupants left the scene in the SUV en route to a
hospital in SPS prior to the search of the truck, thus
accounting for no arrests being made. End Note.) Gladis
Suyapa Castillo Hernandez, the wounded female in the SUV, is
currently in a private clinic in SPS recovering from gunshot
sounds. The driver of the SUV, Juan Carlos Hernandez, has
disappeared. Both suspects are Honduran nationals. The
driver of the truck remains unknown.
3. (U) Organized Crime Special Prosecutor Doris Aguilar,
convinced the money was intended to pay for a large drug
shipment, intends to more fully investigate the case. In the
interim, Honduran authorities have charged Gladis Castillo
with money laundering and police are reportedly waiting to
interrogate her. No visitors are being allowed into her
hospital room. Police, who have also issued an arrest
warrant for the SUV's driver, Hernandez, believe that many
other individuals may be involved.
Pierce
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: HONDURAN POLICE DELIVER BLOW TO SUSPECTED
NARCOTRAFFICKERS; SEIZE LOTS OF CASH
1. (U) On October 2, Honduran police confiscated USD
1,070,000 from suspected Honduran narcotraffickers near the
city of San Pedro Sula (SPS) after discovering the cash
during the search of a suspect truck at a police inspection
stop. The money was found concealed in spare tires inside a
sealed compartment. Police seized 107 packets containing USD
10,000 each; all bills were USD 20 denomination. There are
reports of a few counterfeit bills among the cash.
2. (SBU) According to Honduran press reports, prior to
stopping at the police barrier, occupants of the truck, and a
SUV possibly providing security for the truck, had apparently
been in a fire-fight with members of another vehicle,
resulting in a female occupant of the SUV being injured.
When questioned by police, the vehicles' occupants claimed
they were the victims of an ambush. Police, however,
initially made no arrests. (Note: DEA reports that the
vehicle's occupants left the scene in the SUV en route to a
hospital in SPS prior to the search of the truck, thus
accounting for no arrests being made. End Note.) Gladis
Suyapa Castillo Hernandez, the wounded female in the SUV, is
currently in a private clinic in SPS recovering from gunshot
sounds. The driver of the SUV, Juan Carlos Hernandez, has
disappeared. Both suspects are Honduran nationals. The
driver of the truck remains unknown.
3. (U) Organized Crime Special Prosecutor Doris Aguilar,
convinced the money was intended to pay for a large drug
shipment, intends to more fully investigate the case. In the
interim, Honduran authorities have charged Gladis Castillo
with money laundering and police are reportedly waiting to
interrogate her. No visitors are being allowed into her
hospital room. Police, who have also issued an arrest
warrant for the SUV's driver, Hernandez, believe that many
other individuals may be involved.
Pierce