EGYPT'S SMUGGLING INTERDICTION ON GAZA BORDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001745

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER IS EG KPAL
SUBJECT: EGYPT'S SMUGGLING INTERDICTION ON GAZA BORDER

Classified by ECPO MinCouns Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d).

(C) Following S/CT Ambassador Crumpton's early March visit
to Egypt's border with Gaza, the Chief of the Liaison Agency
with International Organizations (LAWIO) MG Nagy said in a
detailed discussion with polmil officer that there has been a
sharp increase in smuggling interdictions since the
deployment of the Border Guard Forces (BGF) in September

2005. He said that during the period September 2005 through
March 10, 2006, the BGF had discovered 32 tunnels and had
interdicted 48 smuggling attempts. Smuggled items include
drugs, tobacco, arms, ammunition, and TNT. MG Nagy said the
BGF had seized 319 AK-47s with 129,948 rounds of ammunition,
10 pistols with 4,201 rounds of ammunition, 21 hunting
rifles, 58 sound pistols, one mine, four hand grenades, and
18 rockets. The peak months for ammunition smuggling were
October (38,086 rounds) and January 2006 (46,035 rounds).
During the same period the BGF also seized 36 bags of TNT
(over 600 KG). MG Nagy also confirmed that on March 18, the
BGF seized another 30 bags of TNT (totalling approximately
1.5 tons) in Border Zone 8. MG Nagy stressed that although
the BGF are becoming more efficient at smuggling interdiction
and have trained themselves to recognize the sound of
underground digging, they would benefit from additional
training and equipment. He asked if the USG could support
either requirement.
RICCIARDONE