GUINEA BISSAU: BIG DRUG ARRESTS SHOW POLICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001822

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, INL/AAE, INR
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR POL D'ELIA AND DEA
DOJ FOR FBI AND DEA
LAGOS FOR DEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2017
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL PU
SUBJECT: GUINEA BISSAU: BIG DRUG ARRESTS SHOW POLICE
WILLINGNESS

REF: DAKAR 1751

Classified By: Charge Jay T. Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------

1. (C) Recent police and military actions to fight drug
trafficking have helped strengthen Guinea-Bissau's claims it
wants to do more. The former head of the Judicial Police
(JP) credited U.S. pressure with forcing the GOGB to take
action. The new head of the JP appears to be an interested
and capable partner, if not over her head. In response, post
has determined now is the time to provide material and moral
support to the JP. End Summary.

NIGERIANS AND COLOMBIANS IN "JAIL"
--------------


2. (C) Post reported in reftel the GOGB was organizing itself
to fight drug trafficking and now there is evidence that
decision extends to the operational level as well. Former JP
Chief Orlando da Silva told Poloff August 28 the GOGB is
surprised and frightened by the tough and persistent U.S.
diplomatic pressure to fight drug trafficking and that is
largely why new measures are being taken. He cited a
diplomatic note from post to the GOGB expressing concern over
his firing and noting that our assistance is dependent upon
reliable partners in the police. The diplomatic note was
leaked by a member of the GOGB and got wide press play in
West Africa and Europe, a fact which da Silva said frankly
and without exaggeration kept him alive. Da Silva went on to
say he believed Justice Minister Carmelita Pires and the new
JP Chief Lucinda Barosa Aukharie are dedicated and competant,
but they will receive no real help from the rest of the
government.


3. (C) The JP under Aukharie has conducted two counter-drug
operations with little government support and no additional
material. Aukharie showed Poloff on August 28 five kilos of
cocaine that was apprehended from a group of ten Nigerians on
August 22, all of whom were in custody. Some of the cocaine
had been wrapped in capsules for swallowing. In addition to
the cocaine was small amounts of marijuana which Aukharie
said is now being grown near the eastern city of Gabu. She
noted marijuana production was previously unknown in
Guinea-Bissau and it was probably for local consumption, not
export.


4. (C) The second operation netted two Colombians who were
arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. No drugs were
found in the buisiness where they were apprehended -- a
construction company called SOMEC owned by Portuguese
national Dr. Pedro Ortega. However, ammunition, explosives,
a pistol, an AK-47 rifle, 94,500 Euros, two luxury vehicles,
and documents were seized in the August 18 raid. Luis
Fernando Arango Mejia (DPOB 3-10-69, Colombia) and Juan Pablo
Rubio Camacho (DPOB 3-18-66, Bogota, Colombia) were
apprehended and were being held at a JP holding cell despite
pressure by some high-level government officials to release
them. A third, Mauricio Arango Mejia (DPOB 12-19-66 Buga
Valle, Colombia) was said to be in Portugal even though his
passport was found at the site. JP provided photos and
fingerprints to LEGATT who coordinated with Interpol to
travel to Bissau September 1 to follow the case. (NOTE:
LEGATT reported Rubio was released immediately after his trip
and Arango would likely be released soon).


5. (C) Chief of the Armed Forces General Batista Tagme Na
Waie is also getting on the anti-narcotics bandwagon. He
directed the seizure of 40 barrels of propeller airplane fuel
from the airstrip on the island of Bubaque which he claimed
was for refueling drug flights. Thirty more empty barrels
were found at the site that is also a commercial airstrip.
He initiated the operation on his own and then was compelled
to invite Judicial Police to participate after the Justice
Minister argued the JP had primacy in the fight on drug
trafficking. No drugs or traffickers were apprehended.

DAKAR 00001822 002 OF 002


Tagme, who has allowed his staff and associates to traffic
with impunity if not benefitted outright, followed this
sudden reversal with a press statement on August 29 that he
would shoot down any airplane suspected of trafficking drugs.
He said Star-2 surface-to-air missiles had already been set
up all around the country, including the islands, and planes
flying without proper authorization would be downed.

COMMENT
--------------


6. (C) Agencies with counter-drug responsibilities (LEGATT,
ODC, DAO, POL, RAO) met with Charge August 29 and decided now
was the time to provide support to those in the JP whose
performance have indicated they may be capable and credible
partners. The primary goals are to build organizational
capacity and bolster their efforts by demonstrating U.S.
commitment. Post will provide a small package of requested
assistance to the JP and monitor progress before providing
more. Partners in EUCOM and DEA will be instrumental in
identifying potential resources.


7. (C) Not all of the recent anti-drug bluster is to be
believed: Navy Chief Jose Americo "Bubu" Na Tchuto was on the
cover of a national newspaper in August saying he is fighting
drug trafficking and Interior Minister Baciro Dabo also talks
regularly about what he is doing to fight the scourge. It is
interesting, however, that even two of the best known
kingpins feel the pressure to put up appearances. Tagme's
threat to shoot down planes may be bluster as well, but more
likely it is a message to traffickers that they can no longer
operate so brazenly.

Visit Embassy Dakar's classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/af/dakar.
SMITH