Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LIMA3876
2006-09-28 22:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lima
Cable title:
PERU TO FARC WEAPONS SMUGGLING RING BROKEN-UP
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHPE #3876 2712206 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 282206Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2498 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3951 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6992 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 9794 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ SEP QUITO 0711 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0869 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHOND/DIRONDCP WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 003876
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER CO PE
SUBJECT: PERU TO FARC WEAPONS SMUGGLING RING BROKEN-UP
Classified By: PolCouns Alexis Ludwig Reason: 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 003876
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER CO PE
SUBJECT: PERU TO FARC WEAPONS SMUGGLING RING BROKEN-UP
Classified By: PolCouns Alexis Ludwig Reason: 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Summary: Peruvian police have busted an arms smuggling
ring that planned to ship weapons and munitions to the FARC
in Colombia. During the operation, authorities confiscated
over 3,500 rounds of ammunition and five air-to-surface
missiles reportedly diverted from Peruvian military
stockpiles. This is the most recent of four cases in the
past half year in which Peruvian police have stopped arms
trafficking destined for the FARC. End Summary.
2. (U) In a September 27 press conference Minister of
Interior Pilar Mazzetti and Director General of the Peruvian
national police (PNP) Luis Montoya announced that three
suspects, including a PNP officer, were detained for arms
trafficking in the previous days. All major media reported
that PNP officer David Luza Aquino, Luz Zonia Gonzalez Perez
(aka "Lulu"),and Juan Guerra Aldana were arrested on
September 22 while transporting 3,520 rounds of ammunition
(caliber 7.62 x 53) and five air-to-surface missiles. (Note:
Five rockets were confiscated. Contrary to press reports, no
surface-to-air missiles were found. Missiles were, in fact,
air-to-ground. End Note.) Mazzetti and Montoya confirmed
that the stolen arms were to be sold to FARC guerrillas.
According to press reports, the traffickers planned to
transport the munitions, which were stolen from a military
base in southern Peru, via Ecuador. Montoya told the press
that the three detainees could be accused of collaboration
with terrorists and receive up to 15 years in prison.
3. (U) In an interview with reporters, Mazzetti explained
that the police's most recent success was linked to three
other similar PNP operations since May, which together had
netted some 43,000 rounds of ammunition, 32 grenades, and 20
rifles. According to press reports, eight additional
suspects were detained in these operations, including two
noncommissioned army officers.
4. (C) Comment: Media reports of the busted arms smuggling
ring accurately reflect information gathered in sensitive
channels, and represent a media coup for Peruvian security
forces and a significant advance for our shared
counterterrorism interests. However, the press was incorrect
in their characterization of the rockets. End Comment.
STRUBLE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER CO PE
SUBJECT: PERU TO FARC WEAPONS SMUGGLING RING BROKEN-UP
Classified By: PolCouns Alexis Ludwig Reason: 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) Summary: Peruvian police have busted an arms smuggling
ring that planned to ship weapons and munitions to the FARC
in Colombia. During the operation, authorities confiscated
over 3,500 rounds of ammunition and five air-to-surface
missiles reportedly diverted from Peruvian military
stockpiles. This is the most recent of four cases in the
past half year in which Peruvian police have stopped arms
trafficking destined for the FARC. End Summary.
2. (U) In a September 27 press conference Minister of
Interior Pilar Mazzetti and Director General of the Peruvian
national police (PNP) Luis Montoya announced that three
suspects, including a PNP officer, were detained for arms
trafficking in the previous days. All major media reported
that PNP officer David Luza Aquino, Luz Zonia Gonzalez Perez
(aka "Lulu"),and Juan Guerra Aldana were arrested on
September 22 while transporting 3,520 rounds of ammunition
(caliber 7.62 x 53) and five air-to-surface missiles. (Note:
Five rockets were confiscated. Contrary to press reports, no
surface-to-air missiles were found. Missiles were, in fact,
air-to-ground. End Note.) Mazzetti and Montoya confirmed
that the stolen arms were to be sold to FARC guerrillas.
According to press reports, the traffickers planned to
transport the munitions, which were stolen from a military
base in southern Peru, via Ecuador. Montoya told the press
that the three detainees could be accused of collaboration
with terrorists and receive up to 15 years in prison.
3. (U) In an interview with reporters, Mazzetti explained
that the police's most recent success was linked to three
other similar PNP operations since May, which together had
netted some 43,000 rounds of ammunition, 32 grenades, and 20
rifles. According to press reports, eight additional
suspects were detained in these operations, including two
noncommissioned army officers.
4. (C) Comment: Media reports of the busted arms smuggling
ring accurately reflect information gathered in sensitive
channels, and represent a media coup for Peruvian security
forces and a significant advance for our shared
counterterrorism interests. However, the press was incorrect
in their characterization of the rockets. End Comment.
STRUBLE