EL SALVADOR: CANINE PROGRAM BEARING FRUIT

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002267 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR INL DIAZ-RODRIGUEZ DEPT FOR INL MARTIN GUATEMALA FOR NAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PINS PTER SNAR KJUS ES SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: CANINE PROGRAM BEARING FRUIT ¶1. (U) In November 2004, Post INL financed the construction of a canine training facility at Planes de los Renderos located just outside San Salvador. We have continued to invest in the canine program by purchasing training aids and sending instructors to NAS Colombia and NAS Guatemala for training. The Salvadoran police have been committed to developing the program, and their dedication is finally producing positive results. From January through July of 2006, canine alerts have detected eleven kilograms (kg) of marijuana, five kg of cocaine, and three kg of heroin, with a combined street value of US$365,000. The canine program instructors recently trained four currency detection dogs, and we expect undeclared currency seizures to increase at the international airport. ¶2. (U) Building upon this success, we recently completed the construction of five training cabanas and a rest area at the canine facility. With these new editions, El Salvador is now fully competent to train guides and dogs in narcotics, currency, and explosives detection. Despite these capabilities, we have no intention of competing with NAS Guatemala with regards to regional training. We offer an alternative training facility in the event that NAS Guatemala cannot accommodate regional training needs, as well as a canine training venue for the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and other international training agencies. Barclay