ARREST: FOLLOW-UP IN CASE OF QADRI, MOHAMMAD AFZAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000901

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR CA/OCS/ACS Leigh Rieder
DEPT FOR CA/FPP Simone Baer
DEPT FOR G/TIP Assefe Feleke
INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON
INFO AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
INFO AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
INFO AMCONSUL LAHORE

E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: BA CASC QADRI MOHAMMAD AFZAL
SUBJECT: ARREST: FOLLOW-UP IN CASE OF QADRI, MOHAMMAD AFZAL
- TRAFFICKER-IN-PERSONS

REF: MANAMA 834


1. This is an action request, please see para 8. On June
21, Conoffs visited Mohammad Afzal QADRI in the security
office at the Bahrain International Airport. SUBJ was
arrested on June 9 after switching boarding cards with
Pakistani national Hamid MEHMOOD (see reftel). SUBJ was
taken to court following his arrest and, at the request of
the public prosecutor, ordered to remain in custody at the
Airport Security Directorate during the 30 day investigation
period.


2. SUBJ was in general good health, although he complained
of "stomach problems" and described experiencing symptoms of
heartburn. He said that the authorities allowed him to take
medication for ongoing back pain, and the officer who had
transported him from the directorate to the airport told
Conoffs he would take SUBJ to the clinic after the
interview. SUBJ said that he was well-treated by security
staff. SUBJ signed a privacy act waiver authorizing
discussion of his case with his wife, Rehana QADRI (House
No. 76-B, Street No. 8, Farooq-e-Azam Park, Fall Road,
Lahore, tel: +92 427116379).


3. During the interview, SUBJ admitted that he had been
assisting Pakistani nationals to enter the UK illegally
since August 2001. He estimates that he has trafficked
around 30 individuals, however he claims that this is the
first time he has ever switched boarding passes with another
individual. In the past, he claims to have been operating
solely as an escort - helping people to make their
connections and "guiding them."


4. SUBJ insisted that he has never assisted any individual
to enter the United States illegally. He also said that he
has never engaged in any type of document fraud or forgery.
He claims not to know how the people he trafficks enter the
UK, that part of the operation is handled by someone else.
He identified his contact in the UK as a British citizen of
Pakistani descent named Hussain ISHFAQ (cell phone no:
03004432526, based somewhere outside of London). SUBJ said
that he and the individuals he accompanies go separate ways
after exiting the aircraft in London. He returns to
Pakistan, where he is paid 50,000 Pakistani rupees
(approximately 840 USD) if his charge successfully enters
the UK. If the person is refused entry, he receives
nothing. Mr. Ishfaq informs him of the results and arranges
for cash payment in Pakistan. SUBJ admitted that he is
unemployed in Pakistan and that trafficking people is his
only source of income.


5. SUBJ claimed that he doesn't know the Pakistani-Canadian
who was arrested for switching a boarding card on the same
flight. He said that the Canadian did not work for Mr.
Ishfaq and was not part of their smuggling ring.


6. COMMENT: Both Conoffs and local authorities suspect that
SUBJ has still not disclosed the full truth of his
involvement in human smuggling. Passport stamps indicate
frequent travel between Pakistan and the UK many years
before SUBJ admits to engaging in smuggling. With no job
and no real career (in the US, he "worked in shops, as a
messenger, that kind of work"),it is unclear how he could
afford so much international travel.

SUBJ's claim to have been working as an escort seems
unlikely as well. It is unclear how an escort would be
necessary to such an operation, and it seems logical that an
organizer would want to keep the ring as small as possible
to not attract unwelcome attention. In addition, passport
stamps show many entries and exits to and from Bahrain. If
he were escorting people all the way to London, he would
transit, but not enter, Bahrain. END COMMENT.


7. SUBJ will remain in detention until the end of the
investigation period. At that time, the prosecutor can
release him, bring charges against him or request another 30
day detention to continue investigating. Because the
boarding card swap did not take place in Bahrain (Bahraini
authorities believe the switch happened either in the United
Arab Emirates or on the plane),it is unlikely that the
prosecutor will be able to bring any meaningful charges
against SUBJ. Authorities speculate that he will be
deported to the UAE.


8. Post requests guidance from the Department regarding
CLASS entries for SUBJ and other individuals connected to
the case. SUBJ admits to using a US passport to traffick
people to the UK. He uses the passport to obtain boarding
documents to the UK, then passes those documents to aliens
who are not otherwise entitled to them. He then uses his US
passport to obtain visas upon his arrival in UAE and
Bahrain. Post believes that this information should be
documented, but Conoffs are unclear as to where and how such
information should be entered.

MONROE