COCAINE BUST CAUSES BANANA TRUCK BOTTLENECK

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000203

SIPDIS

WHA/EX FOR TOM SHANNON
WHA/BSC FOR DOUG BARNES
NSC FOR DAN FISK AND SUE CRONIN
INL FOR LAIZA CASAS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AR
SUBJECT: COCAINE BUST CAUSES BANANA TRUCK BOTTLENECK


1. SUMMARY: On December 31, members of the Gendarmeria
Nacional seized 738 kilograms of cocaine in Jose C. Paz,
Buenos Aires Province, hidden inside bags of charcoal. The
operation included the arrests of ten individuals, among
them three brothers of the Motok family, a known Salta-based
drug trafficking organization operating in the north of
Argentina. Searches also resulted in evidence linking the
smuggling to an Argentine customs official working at the
International Port of Entry at Profesor Salvador Mazza,
Salta Province. The cocaine came from Bolivia in a banana
truck and, in response, Bolivia has begun searching trucks
entering and leaving the country. This has caused delays,
affecting banana producers in both countries and caused
tension. END SUMMARY.


2. A search on December 31 conducted by the Gendarmeria
Nacional resulted in the confiscation of 738 kilograms of
cocaine hidden in bags of charcoal at a residence in Jose C.
Paz, Buenos Aires Province. The operation included the
arrest of nine Argentine nationals and one Bolivian national
including three brothers, Ernesto, Hector and Alejandrino
Motok, all members of a known family-based drug trafficking
organization operating in the north of Argentina. Involved
mainly in the transportation of drugs, the Motoks are based
near the Bolivian border in Profesor Salvador Mazza, Salta
Province. Investigators learned that Ernesto Motok was
driving a car registered to an Argentine customs officer
that had been working at the Argentina/Bolivia border. A
follow-up search at the officer's residence produced
documentation linking him to drug smuggling operations
involving banana trucks crossing the border. He is
currently being sought by Argentine authorities and thought
to be in Bolivia.


3. Smuggling of drugs is widespread near the border, and
one of the most common methods of concealing drugs is in
banana trucks, given the heavy odor which can deceive dogs.
Drugs are often smuggled across the border from Bolivia and
then transferred at some point along the route in Argentina.
In this case the cocaine crossed the border in a banana
truck and was later hidden in charcoal. An investigation
into the truck and driver involved in this particular
incident revealed that the driver had been "robbed" three
times in the recent past, a tactic that allows drivers to
account for missing cargo. To combat this, all trucks are
inspected by the Argentine law enforcement agencies at the
border crossing, as well as at various checkpoints within
the northern provinces. Inspection is routine for banana
trucks coming into Argentina from Bolivia and can take
several hours. In the past, trucks were regularly searched
only on the Argentine side of the border by Argentine
Customs, with the participation of an embedded Bolivian
counterpart, which kept the wait manageable.


4. According to GOA sources, following the high-profile
seizure, Bolivia has increased security and begun to search
incoming and outgoing trucks. Border crossings now involve
two checkpoints, requiring additional time, long delays and,
according to angry banana producers, spoilt produce.
Bolivian growers have blamed Argentina for the problems
although reports are that Argentine authorities have not
changed their policy since before the December cocaine
incident. Rather, Bolivia has made changes in its customs
procedures, which has caused tensions with Argentine growers
who have been angered by Bolivian Customs seizing trucks for
inspection and allowing fruit to rot while they wait.

GUTIERREZ