POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION ON LICENSE D354892

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000958 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/ESP AND WHA/AND LPETRONI SAO PAOLO FOR FCS FCARRICO AND ICE ATTACHE COMMERCE FOR FCS/OIO MKESHISHIAN AND JANGLIN COMMERCE FOR OEA/532/MNICKSON-DORSEY AND LRITTER ICE HQ FOR STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC BL SUBJECT: POST-SHIPMENT VERIFICATION ON LICENSE D354892 COMPLETED REF: USDOC 1690 ¶1. (SBU) Reftel requested a post-shipment verification on export license number D354892. At post's request, a narcotics affairs section (NAS) program assistant visited the Santa Cruz-based foreign consignee, Casa Asbun, April 4 and spoke to the company's owner, Alfredo Asbun, and a long-time salesperson, Justo Romero. ¶2. (SBU) The NAS assistant verified the purchase of the shotguns and handcuffs listed in reftel and said most items remained in their original boxes at Asbun's sporting goods store or residence; Asbun established a new location in November 2006 and now stores much of his equipment behind his home. The listed commodities appeared properly registered and consistent with the consignee's business; Casa Asbun is well and favorably known in Santa Cruz and has operated for several years. ¶3. (SBU) Asbun said he understood the restrictions placed on controlled items, telling the NAS assistant he planned to sell the equipment to licensed dealers in Santa Cruz, Tarija, Cobija, and other Bolivian cities. Asbun said he had no intention of re-exporting the equipment. ¶4. (SBU) The NAS assistant reported no indications of impropriety. Given the apparent legitimacy of the transaction and Asbun's understanding of license conditions and re-export restrictions, Casa Asbun seems a reliable recipient of sensitive U.S.-origin equipment. GOLDBERG