PARAGUAY: COCAINE SEIZED AND POLITICIAN'S SON

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000681 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS INL FOR ABBY SMITH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM SNAR PGOV BR PA SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: COCAINE SEIZED AND POLITICIAN'S SON IMPLICATED ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On 6/25, Paraguayan law enforcement officials seized 195 kg of cocaine in Bella Vista Norte, arrested five men, and impounded the airplane used in transporting the drugs. Agents of the National Antinarcotics Secretariat (SENAD) worked with Paraguay's antinarcotics SIPDIS prosecutors and DEA officials in laying the ground work for this successful operation. One of the Paraguayans arrested is the son of a well connected Paraguayan politician. This case demonstrates SENAD's ability and readiness to carry out complex operations. It will also serve a test of Paraguay's political will when key political interests come into play. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On 6/25 SENAD agents seized 195 kg of cocaine and arrested five men in the district of Bella Vista Norte, in the department of Concepcion, 150 miles northeast of Asuncion. The plane used for transporting the drugs was also impounded and remains in custody. Four Paraguayans and one Brazilian were arrested. One of the men arrested, Cristian Adilson Villalta Cubas, is the son of an influential Colorado politician, Faustino Villa Alta, who has strong ties to President Duarte. Colorado politician Victor Raul D'Ecclesiis Jiminez was also arrested when the drugs were discovered on his ranch. Another Colorado politician, Ludovico Godoy, was implicated but not arrested. Godoy operates the Bella Vista Norte aerodrome where the plane was found. ¶3. (SBU) During its investigation SENAD discovered that the Bella Vista Norte airport was being used in the trafficking of drugs. The prosecutors of the antinarcotics unit were informed and accompanied SENAD officials to inspect the airport. Authorities found the plane they suspected to be involved, and several men who were washing the interior of the plane and rearranging the seats to hide traces of drugs. The cocaine was not found at the Bella Vista airport. However, using the GPS system in the plane officials were able to locate a ranch where the drugs had been deposited. A team of agents went to the location and found the drugs hidden on the property. In connection to this case, authorities arrested Paraguayans Victor Raul D,Ecclesiis Jiminez, Cristian Rodrigo Gimenez Dacunha, Cristian Adilson Villalta Cubas, and Rafael Contrera Moreira. Authorities also arrested Brazilian national Eduardo Jose de Araujo who was the pilot of the plane. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: This case offers evidence of SENAD's, and in particular Minister Ibarra's, commitment to working productively with DEA and law enforcement officials to successfully conduct a complex antinarcotics operation, follow proper legal procedures, and apply appropriate investigative techniques. It will also test Paraguay's ability to prosecute politically connected defendants. End comment. CASON