GFUP-05-9259/NIGERIA - SEIZURE OF 22 KILOGRAMS

UNCLAS LAGOS 001474

SIPDIS

POSTS FOR DEA PASQUARELLO, TOMASZEWSKI
DEA HQS FOR OI, SARI, OEE/ANDERSON/SHERMAN, OSE/CRONIN
STATE FOR INL/LP, AF/W

FROM: COUNTRY ATTACHE SAM GAYE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR
SUBJECT: GFUP-05-9259/NIGERIA - SEIZURE OF 22 KILOGRAMS
OF COCAINE



1. ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2005, THE BENINOISE POLICE, ACTING
ON A TIP FROM A CONFIDENTIAL SOURCE, EXECUTED A SEARCH
WARRANT AND SEIZED 22 KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE AT THE
RESIDENCE OF BENINOISE NATIONAL STEEVE JOEL CAMPBELL. NO
ARRESTS WERE MADE AND CAMPBELL REMAINS AT LARGE. ALSO
SEIZED WERE (1) 2002 BMW AND SEVERAL DOCUMENTS INCLUDING
BANK RECORDS.


2. FOLLOWING THE SEIZURES, THE POLICE CONTACTED DEA
LAGOS TO ASSIST WITH THE INVESTIGATION. ON SEPTEMBER 19,
2005, DEA SPECIAL AGENT LAWRENCE ALEXANDER TRAVELED TO THE
REPUBLIC OF BENIN AND MET WITH BENINOISE POLICE OFFICIALS.


3. DEA RECEIVED A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF THE SEIZED
COCAINE AND TRANSMITTED IT TO THE DEA SPECIAL TESTING
LABARATORY IN VIRGINIA FOR ANALYSIS. DEA WILL ASSIST THE
BENOISE POLICE WITH THE INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO DEVELOP
THE CASE FURTHER.


4. QUESTIONS OR RESPONSES TO THIS CABLE SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO COUNTRY ATTACHE SAM GAYE OR SA LAWRENCE
ALEXANDER AT 011-234-1-261-9837.

BROWNE