PARAGUAY: MONEY WELL SPENT; COPS ARRESTED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000515 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2027 TAGS: KCRM PREL PINR SNAR PA BR SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: MONEY WELL SPENT; COPS ARRESTED Classified By: AMB James C. Cason; Reasons 1.4(b),(d) ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) seized the largest cocaine transshipmentin Paraguayan history in Pedro Juan Caballero (PJC),during a joint intelligence operation between the Brazilian federal police, DEA, and SENAD. SENAD confiscated 450 kg of cocaine and arrested six individuals June 18 (three of whom work for the National Police). The success of the operation was due in large part to the recently constructed INL and DEA-funded SENAD facility in PJC. END SUMMARY. DRUGS,THUGS AND BAD COPS ¶2. (SBU) SENAD seized 450 kg of cocaine that was en route to Brazil via land transport for distribution to other countries. SENAD apprehended six individuals and seized three vehicles. Lieutenant Nelson Ramon Sanchez Lopez and Sergeant Benito Ataia Chamorro of the National Police were arrested along with Edgar Salvador Carballo Ramirez, a civilian police administrator. All three occupied the escort vehicle while three others, Jorge Ramon Pena Ferreira, Victor Hugo Dos Santos Gonzales and Joao Carlos Vidal (a Brazilian national) manned the two vehicles that transported the drugs. SENAD also confiscated cash in various currencies (US dollars, Reales, and Guarani),radios and police firearms. ACTIONABLE INTEL ¶3. (C) The success of the operation was due in large part to the combined efforts of SENAD, DEA, Brazilian federal police, and the Paraguayan Navy. SENAD Director of Operations Luis Rojas explained that at the time of the operation an Air Force helicopter was out of service and the drug traffickers were aware of that fact. SENAD obtained a second helicopter (from the Paraguayan Navy) for operational support and executed a successful mission seizing a cocaine shipment with an estimated value between USD 1 to 3 million (value varies depending upon regional market values). US DOLLARS AT WORK ¶4. (C) INL program assistance to SENAD that funded the regional operation facility provided SENAD with the necessary support to combat transnational drug trafficking in the narco-capital of PJC. Rojas said the new base "supplied SENAD with the ability to prepare and execute a successful covert operation." The base also provided them with a secure area to inventory and detain both the drugs and the miscreants involved. SENAD now has improved infrastructure and air-land capabilities in the surrounding area. A FEW GOOD MEN ¶5. (C) The success of the operation ultimately came down to the hard work, creativity, experience and guts of the agents involved. In spite of the lack of proper communication equipment and vehicles, the agents were capable of utilizing their limited resources to pull off the most successful drug bust in Paraguay,s history. (NOTE: SENAD borrowed vehicles and some communications equipment from the Brazilian federal police. They also relied heavily on personal cellular telephones to coordinate during the operation. END NOTE.) COMMENTS ¶6. (C) The tremendous success of SENAD operations in the past year (and in this case) is a clear indication that SENAD is the most effective law enforcement agency in the country. The SENAD leadership and their operational agents have demonstrated their focus in dismantling the transnational criminal organizations that have long operated with impunity in Paraguay. INL and DEA assistance programs play a huge role in SENAD's success. We expect our continued close cooperation with SENAD will contribute to even more significant results in the future. We are already seeing a return on our investment in the PJC facility. CASON