COUNTER DRUG BRIGADE OPERATION AGAINST DANIEL

UNCLAS BOGOTA 005083

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR INL AND WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PTER MOPS CO
SUBJECT: COUNTER DRUG BRIGADE OPERATION AGAINST DANIEL
ALDANA MOBILE COLUMN

Ref: Bogota 3691


1. (SBU) The 1st Battalion of the Plan Colombia supported
Counter Drug Brigade (CD BDE) conducted operations in the
department of Narino from January to May. On the last day
of their deployment, May 5, the unit conducted an operation
against the Colombian Revolutionary Front (FARC) Daniel
Aldana Mobile Column. The Daniel Aldana Column is involved
in drug trafficking and arms smuggling activities in
southwestern Narino and across the border with Ecuador.


2. (SBU) Although alias "Rambo", the Daniel Aldana Column
commander was not there, the CD BDE unit captured Cecilia
Munoz Jaramillo alias "Karen", Rambo's sentimental
companion. Rambo's laptop computer was also captured.


3. (SBU) In addition, the unit hit a second objective, a
cocaine HCL lab with peak production capability of four
metric tons of cocaine a month. The unit destroyed over
15,000 gallons of liquid precursors, 3.5 tons of solid
precursors, 18 microwave ovens and four "marcianos" (used to
recycle precursor chemicals.)


4. (SBU) Comment: The aerial spray eradication of more than
55,000 hectares of coca, the capture of Karen, the
destruction of numerous labs, and the capture of almost two
tons of cocaine HCL (reftel),have undoubtedly dealt a blow
to the narco-terrorist groups in southwestern Narino. If
the amount of hectares planted and eradicated, quantity of
labs destroyed, and amount of cocaine HCL captured are any
indication, Narino has become the Putumayo of the 2000's.
End comment.

Wood