RECENT DRUG-RELATED ARRESTS AND SEIZURES IN

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001916

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR HO
SUBJECT: RECENT DRUG-RELATED ARRESTS AND SEIZURES IN
HONDURAS


1. Summary: Over the past weeks, Honduran authorities
conducted several important drug-related arrests and seizures
of assets. During the same time period, an airplane
suspected of transporting drugs made an emergency landing in
Honduras, but the police arrived too late to make arrests or
find any drugs. All ocurrences have received extensive press
coverage, including print, television and radio. End Summary.


2. La Ceiba: On November 8, the Direction for the Fight
Against Drug Trafficking (DLCN) arrested six people and
confiscated approximately USD 300,000 in cash, 8 vehicles, 7
fishing vessels, 1 business, explosives, and weapons in an
operation carried out simultaneously at approximately 15
homes and businesses in La Ceiba. The targets of the
operation are presumed members of a drug trafficking and
money laundering ring that operated in several areas of La
Ceiba and owned seafood businesses in addition to other
enterprises. The investigation continues.


3. Puerto Cortes: On November 24, the DLCN arrested three
people for drug trafficking and money laundering in Puerto
Cortes. The DLCN confiscated about 16 grams of cocaine ready
to be consumed, plus another 12 ounces of cocaine and a pound
of marijuana, as well as digital scales, two firearms, cell
phones, vehicles, and Honduran and Guatemalan currency.


4. Tegucigalpa: On November 24, members of the
counter-narcotics department of the Direction of Criminal
Investigation (DGIC) arrested a man they caught with 15
pounds of marijuana hidden throughout his house, including in
a tunnel underneath a patio. The DGIC also confiscated cash
and marijuana plants.


5. Roatan: On November 29, the Preventive Police arrested ten
suspects for drug trafficking and illicit association on the
island of Roatan. Of the ten, one was the head of DGIC in
Roatan and another was a DGIC agent. The police confiscated
three kg of cocaine, cell phones, weapons and counterfeit
bills. The civilians were charged with drug trafficking, and
the DGIC agents were charged as accessories after the fact,
and for counterfeiting dollars and local currency. On
December 11, the press reported that a judge released all ten
suspects. (Comment: On December 12, PolOff met with the
Director General of the DGIC, who said that he is going to
fire the two agents. End Comment.)


6. Isletas, Colon: On November 30, a small plane registered
in Venezuela made an emergency landing on a Standard Fruit
plantation private airstrip. By the time the police arrived,
approximately two hours later, the plane was empty and the
pilots and any other passengers were gone. The plane had no
passenger seats and the police calculate that it had the
capacity to transport 3,000 kg of cocaine. The airplane is
now with the Public Ministry's Office of Confiscated Assets
(OABI).


7. La Entrada, Copan: On December 11, the Direction of
Special Investigation Services (DGSEI) and the Frontier
Police confiscated 28 kg of cocaine from an SUV driven by two
Nicaraguan citizens, who were arrested. According to the
press, they are accused of drug trafficking and possession
and will be deported to Nicaragua.


8. Comment: While the arrests and seizures and their
coverage in the press are positive advances in the fight
against drug trafficking, many times these efforts become
frustrated as drug traffickers are released from prison and
their cases dismissed based on technicalities. Corruption and
inefficiency among the police, prosecutors and judges
continue to be serious problems in Honduras. End comment.
FORD