LARGE DRUG SEIZURE AND ARRESTS IN SENEGAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001464 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR INL, INR/AA, AF/RSA AND AF/W E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2017 TAGS: SNAR PINS SG SUBJECT: LARGE DRUG SEIZURE AND ARRESTS IN SENEGAL Classified By: A/LEGATT GARY SCHAAF FOR RASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Senegalese gendarmes seized over two tons of cocaine in June and arrested a number of Latin Americans and Europeans involved in the trafficking. Senegal is cooperating with the FBI and DEA. These huge seizures indicate that no West African country is immune to the flow of cocaine from South America to Europe and to elsewhere. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On June 27, Senegalese law enforcement recovered an abandoned small boat approximately 60 miles South of Dakar, Senegal, near the town of Mbour. The boat, which appeared to have some type of engine trouble, contained 1,200 kilograms of cocaine which were inside a number of woven plastic sacks. Witnesses observed two individuals in the boat prior to its being abandoned. Subsequent investigation led to the arrests of several individuals. The Senegalese Gendarmerie took the lead in the investigation and during the course of their follow up, identified a second large cache of drugs secreted underground near a residence approximately one kilometer from the location of the abandoned boat. The second seizure yielded 1,254 kilograms of cocaine wrapped in an identical fashion. Prior to these incidents, authorities seized approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine in a town near Mbour in mid-June. Assuming these drugs were destined for Europe, these seizures have an estimated value in excess of USD 61 million. ¶3. (C) In addition to the drugs seized, a number of individuals were arrested. Several of those arrested came from South and Central America. A review of several passports shows a pattern of travel between Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Guinea, Venezuela and Colombia. At least one of the suspects is affiliated with a company established in Senegal in 2003. The Gendarmerie believes that this individual may have used the business as a front to facilitate narcotics trafficking and money laundering. This company, which is associated with the Senegalese fishing industry, although not profitable, appeared well established and had the outward appearance of a legitimate business. ONGOING INVESTIGATION -------------- ¶4. (C) The Gendarmerie has indicated a desire to work very closely with the United States as this investigation progresses and has held a number of meetings with USG officials. Representatives from Dakar,s Legal Attache Office (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency,s (DEA,s) Attache Office in Paris have been in close contact with the Gendarmerie. Recent meetings proved very successful as the Gendarmerie allowed access for photographs, provided drug samples for comparison and gave an overview of their ongoing investigation. ¶5. (C) The Senegalese investigators are continuing to try to identify individuals and locations involved in this trafficking organization. Armed with the information provided during recent meetings, FBI and DEA are attempting to assist the Senegalese by providing insight and background on the individuals who were arrested, as well as the drug trafficking organizations that may be involved. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) Although this illicit operation no doubt involved the witting assistance of Senegalese citizens, the arrests of several South Americans bring Senegal into the extensive narcotics network operating in West Africa and controlled by individuals from South America. Until now, some have argued, and even hoped, that the relative stability in Senegal, combined with its professional and well trained police forces, had discouraged the large drug organizations that are entrenched in neighboring countries from setting up shop in Senegal. ¶7. (C) The level of entrenchment identified during the course of this investigation clearly indicates the unfortunate presence of a vibrant drug trafficking network in Senegal. It is far too early to attempt to accurately portray the various aspects of this complicated problem, but it is very important to note the problem is quite significant, involving large sums of drugs and money, and is DAKAR 00001464 002 OF 002 tied to large drug trafficking organizations based in South America. ¶8. (C) Guinea-Bissau has for some time been accurately identified as being on the receiving end of tons of cocaine from South America. Where all of these drugs are destined has been the subject of considerable debate, but one can comfortably opine that the amount of drugs coming into the area is quite large. The problem is in no way limited to Guinea-Bissau as there are reports of significant drug trafficking problems in Guinea, Mauritania and Cape Verde. This recent event shows that Senegal is similarly a player in the West African drug trade and any thoughts of immunity are no longer viable as the infection which has been diagnosed in several neighboring countries has quite obviously made its presence known in Senegal. END COMMENT. ¶9. (U) Visit Embassy Dakar's SIPRNet Web site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/af/dakar. JACOBS