ARRESTS MADE IN NARCO/FARC INFILTRATION OF MILITARY

UNCLAS BOGOTA 005871 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MARR CO SUBJECT: ARRESTS MADE IN NARCO/FARC INFILTRATION OF MILITARY -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. The Colombian Prosecutor General (Fiscalia) and Colombian Army counterintelligence worked closely for over a year to uncover a small network of Army personnel collaborating with the Norte de Valle drugs cartel. The Fiscalia has arrested at least nine military members and two civilians, and the Army suspended more than 20 officers and NCOs. More arrests are pending. Separately, a FARC fighter killed in combat in Meta was found with classified Army operational intelligence and biographical information. Defense Minister Santos acknowledged the gravity of these security breaches and vowed to reform military counter-intelligence. End Summary. -------------- Mafia Infiltrate Military - Arrests Made -------------- ¶2. Leading Colombian daily El Tiempo reported on July 25 that the Prosecutor General (Fiscalia) had uncovered a criminal ring recruiting former Colombian Army officers to serve as private security for Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez, (alias 'don Diego'),leader of the notorious Norte de Valle drug cartel and on the FBI'S Most Wanted List. Semana magazine reported on July 30 that Colombian investigators also had evidence of ties between the cartel and the Army's Third Division, including evidence from the May 2006 incident at Jamundi, Valle, when Third Division soldiers ambushed and killed 10 Police from a vetted counter-drug unit, allegedly on orders of 'Don Diego.' Semana reported that attempts to capture Diego were also disrupted by leaks from active duty soldiers working in Diego's security forces. ¶3. On June 27 three persons were arrested in the Norte de Valle recruitment case: a secretary in a military human resources office who smuggled out resumes of officers due to retire; a retired sergeant who acted as headhunter for 'Don Diego'; and a civilian who sold military supplies and passed information to the cartel. Seven other military were subsequently arrested in July, and in August a colonel and major were captured. The Army also suspended from active duty at least 20 persons pending further investigation. The Fiscalia is continuing its investigations, and media reports indicate 15 additional retired and active-duty military personnel could be implicated. -------------- FARC's Intelligence Cache -------------- ¶4. On July 30, Semana reported that a FARC member killed in combat in Meta on July 15 was found carrying a range of classified military, police and civilian intelligence files. The information included troop locations, names of officers leading operations, members of informer networks, and plans for counterguerrilla operations. Meta is a key area in Plan Patriota's Omega operating area where the military concentrated resources and elite forces. Armed Forces Commander General Freddy Padilla acknowledged the leaks to the FARC were worrying, but emphasized the damage was limited since the information was dated. -------------- MoD Launches Counter-Intelligence Offensive -------------- ¶5. On July 30, Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos conceded "serious counterintelligence failings" had allowed penetration by illegal groups, and ordered the military to review, reform, and strengthen military counter-intelligence. Santos said press coverage of the cases could make prosecution of suspects more difficult. Army Commander General Mario Montoya pledged his full support and said the cases uncovering narco-military ties (leading from Jamundi) represented a positive example of cooperation between military counter-intelligence and civilian investigators. Nichols