DOMINICAN FUGITIVE WOUNDS OFFICER AND IS SHOT DEAD

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 002425 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (MCISAAC),L/LEI (TAYLOR AND FUENTES) DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR CRIM/OIA (MAZUREK, ORJALES, SOKOHL) US MARSHAL SERVICE PLEASE PASS TO CHRIS DUDLEY DEA FOR OF, OFI, DO, DCO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CJAN KCRM KJUS SNAR DR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN FUGITIVE WOUNDS OFFICER AND IS SHOT DEAD REF: 2004 STATE 241241 ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request. See paragraph 4. ¶2. (SBU) On April 24, 2005, Dominican extradition fugitive Jose Pimentel opened fire on agents from the Dominican National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) attempting to arrest him pursuant to an arrest order issued based on a USG extradition request. Pimentel shot a DNCD lieutentant in the neck and abdomen. DNCD agents shot and killed Pimentel in an action subsequently found by DNCD to be justified. The injured DNCD agentis recovering at a local hospital. Soon after the incident, rumors that Pimentel was conducting drug operations in the Dominican Republic. ¶3. (SBU) Embassy Santo Domingo and the DNCD believe that this is the first instance, in more than 100 extradition cases and 40 deportation cases, in which a DNCD officer has been wounded by a fugitive during an attempted arrest. The Ambassador sent a letter of appreciation to the DNCD agent thanking him for his actions in the line of duty. The U.S. Marshal who serves as a liaison and advisor to the DNCD fugitive unit and the DEA attach expressed their appreciation on behalf of the USG to the head of the DNCD, Vice Admiral Ivan Pena Castillo. NAS officer has approved and ordered 14 sets of new body armor to be presented to the DNCD fugitive unit and to selected National Police officers who assist USG in extradition arrests and other cases. ¶4. (U) ACTION REQUEST. Pimentel was wanted in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on federal narcotics charges, ref A. Embassy Santo Domingo requests the Department of State and Department of Justice notify the requesting jurisdiction that Pimentel is deceased. KUBISKE