Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAGUA436
2006-02-27 17:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Managua
Cable title:
OVER 540 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AT PENAS BLANCAS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHMU #0436 0581703 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 271703Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5400 INFO RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000436
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP AND WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PTER NU
SUBJECT: OVER 540 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AT PENAS BLANCAS
REF: MANAGUA 02546
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000436
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP AND WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PTER NU
SUBJECT: OVER 540 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AT PENAS BLANCAS
REF: MANAGUA 02546
1. (SBU) Nicaraguan National Police (NNP) seized over 540
kilograms of cocaine on February 22 at the Penas Blancas
vehicle inspection station. According to post law
enforcement sources, the NNP pulled the suspicious-looking
vehicle aside as it crossed the border from Costa Rica.
There were irregularities in the documents the driver
presented and the vehicle was loaded with scrap metal and
some 800 oil filters. (Comment: Vehicles loaded with scrap
metal often cross the border. However, according to the NNP,
oil filters are used to mask the scent of drugs and confuse
the drug sniffing dogs. End Comment.)
2. (SBU) After unloading the flatbed, the NNP found a
20-foot long steel girder that showed marks of recent welding
camouflaged with grease. There 540 kilograms of cocaine were
hidden in the girder and covered with dirt and cooking spices
to mask the scent of the drugs )- which was so effective
that the K-9s did not alert on the drugs until the girder had
been dismantled. The vehicle was apparently headed to
Guatemala. The driver of the vehicle is currently in police
custody.
3. (U) The Penas Blancas vehicle inspection station, largely
built with INL funds, provides a basic facility for the
police to identify and inspect suspicious cargo trucks. Over
200 trucks pass daily through the station located on the
border with Costa Rica. After reviewing details on the
drivers and cargo, the NNP thoroughly inspects around 10
percent of the total number of trucks. The officers use dogs
to detect contraband (a Post-funded program) and then perform
a detailed inspection of the vehicle and cargo. The police
frequently work with other regional law enforcement agencies
and with the DEA on joint operations.
3. (SBU) Comment: Repairs are urgently needed at the Penas
Blancas vehicle inspection station to improve working
conditions and officers' effectiveness in detecting
contraband. Post is trying to reprioritize projects and
locate funds for the repairs. We have already invested
significant resources in building the inspection station and
do not want to see that investment wasted. End Comment.
TRIVELLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP AND WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PTER NU
SUBJECT: OVER 540 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AT PENAS BLANCAS
REF: MANAGUA 02546
1. (SBU) Nicaraguan National Police (NNP) seized over 540
kilograms of cocaine on February 22 at the Penas Blancas
vehicle inspection station. According to post law
enforcement sources, the NNP pulled the suspicious-looking
vehicle aside as it crossed the border from Costa Rica.
There were irregularities in the documents the driver
presented and the vehicle was loaded with scrap metal and
some 800 oil filters. (Comment: Vehicles loaded with scrap
metal often cross the border. However, according to the NNP,
oil filters are used to mask the scent of drugs and confuse
the drug sniffing dogs. End Comment.)
2. (SBU) After unloading the flatbed, the NNP found a
20-foot long steel girder that showed marks of recent welding
camouflaged with grease. There 540 kilograms of cocaine were
hidden in the girder and covered with dirt and cooking spices
to mask the scent of the drugs )- which was so effective
that the K-9s did not alert on the drugs until the girder had
been dismantled. The vehicle was apparently headed to
Guatemala. The driver of the vehicle is currently in police
custody.
3. (U) The Penas Blancas vehicle inspection station, largely
built with INL funds, provides a basic facility for the
police to identify and inspect suspicious cargo trucks. Over
200 trucks pass daily through the station located on the
border with Costa Rica. After reviewing details on the
drivers and cargo, the NNP thoroughly inspects around 10
percent of the total number of trucks. The officers use dogs
to detect contraband (a Post-funded program) and then perform
a detailed inspection of the vehicle and cargo. The police
frequently work with other regional law enforcement agencies
and with the DEA on joint operations.
3. (SBU) Comment: Repairs are urgently needed at the Penas
Blancas vehicle inspection station to improve working
conditions and officers' effectiveness in detecting
contraband. Post is trying to reprioritize projects and
locate funds for the repairs. We have already invested
significant resources in building the inspection station and
do not want to see that investment wasted. End Comment.
TRIVELLI