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
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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
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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

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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