Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO1098
2005-05-12 22:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

MFA REFUSES TO CEDE JURISDICTION OVER SMUGGLERS

Tags:  PREL MARR MASS MOPS SNAR PTER EC 
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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 QUITO 001098 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS SNAR PTER EC
SUBJECT: MFA REFUSES TO CEDE JURISDICTION OVER SMUGGLERS

REF: QUITO 1060

UNCLAS QUITO 001098

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS SNAR PTER EC
SUBJECT: MFA REFUSES TO CEDE JURISDICTION OVER SMUGGLERS

REF: QUITO 1060


1. Via diplomatic note, the Foreign Ministry denied the
USG's request to cede jurisdiction over the captain, crew,
and cargo of the F/V Simon Bolivar, an Ecuador-flagged
fishing vessel interdicted May 8 while carrying four tons of
cocaine. Invoking Articles 4 and 17 of the 1988 UN
Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances, the ministry declared itself
"competent over the crimes committed and requests the Embassy
to communicate with U.S. Navy and Coast Guard officials to
facilitate the handover of the crew and material evidence to
Ecuadorian Navy authorities, so that they (the crewmembers)
might be investigated and tried by competent Ecuadorian
authorities."


2. In coming days, Embassy staff will engage MFA and Navy
officials to express the USG's extreme displeasure with
Ecuador's decision and to advocate stiff sentences for the
Bolivar's captain and crew.
CHACON