RSO COORDINATES WITH HONDURAN AUTHORITIES IN MS-13

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001908

SIPDIS

PASS DS/CR/CIL, DS/IP/WHA, INL/IP, WHA/PPC, WHA/CEN,
DRL/CRA AND DRL/PHD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAM AND LAC/RSD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV SNAR KCRM KJUS HO
SUBJECT: RSO COORDINATES WITH HONDURAN AUTHORITIES IN MS-13
OPERATION THAT ARRESTS OVER 162 GANG MEMBERS IN RAID.

Summary: RSO Tegucigalpa in coordination with local
authorities participated in a five nation police effort
against the Mara Salvatrucha-13 gang (MS-13). Local
operations, which were conducted in six Honduran cities, led
to the arrest of over 162 local gang members. RSO
Tegucigalpa directed planning and operational meetings with
local authorities in the weeks before the operation. During
the operation Honduran authorities arrested one gang member
that was involved in the recent murder of DEA agent Timothy
Markey. The Honduran law enforcement also seized six
firearms, crack, marijuana and cocaine, over USD700, two
motorcycles and two cars. This operation was part of the FBI
MS-13 Task Force which has targeted this international gang
in an effort to totally eradicate it from the United States
and Latin America. End Summary.


1. On September 7, 2005 RSO coordinated with Honduran law
enforcement authorities in an operation that targeted MS-13
gang members. Honduran authorities conducted raids in six
Honduran cities where MS-13 operated. Honduran authorities
hailed this effort as a success as they arrested 162 gang
members. Some of the arrested were from Guatemala and El
Salvador. local authorities also claimed that one of the gang
members arrested was involved in the murder of DEA agent
Timothy Markey This person is accused of aiding and harboring
the two suspected murderers of Markey.


3. Honduran officials seized six firearms, over 15 vials of
crack, six grams of cocaine and an unknown amount of
marijuana. The locals also seized two motorcycles and two
vehicles, including a taxi, that MS-13 was using. Honduran
officials gathered vital intelligence and will follow up on
other investigative leads that the operation generated.


4. This operation was part of Diplomatic Security Service
continued participation in the FBI MS-13 Task Force. The
overall operation was deemed a success in Honduras with the
hope of future operations to further the fight against this
dangerous menace that effects Central AMERICA and the United
States.


5. POC for this cable is ARSO Bill Stowell
Williard