(S) ONE KILO OF "COCAINE" DELIVERED TO EMBASSY

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000201 SIPDIS DEA/PARIS FOR R. HOUSTON / B. HALEY / T. HEDRICK DEA/LAGOS FOR S. GAYE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2018 TAGS: SNAR ASEC PREL PGOV GV SUBJECT: (S) ONE KILO OF "COCAINE" DELIVERED TO EMBASSY EMPLOYEE REF: A. CONAKRY 00184 ¶B. CONAKRY 00155 Classified By: ARSO Elizabeth Esparza for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: On May 10, 2008 Ambassador and ARSO attended the alleged incineration of several kilos of narcotics seized by Guinean police. USG,s request for a random sample of the cocaine was denied (Reftel A). On May 14, 2008, the former director of the anti-drug unit delivered a kilo of an unconfirmed white powder substance to an Embassy FSN. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S) During the past two weeks, Dr. Mamadou Dioulde Bah, former director of OCAD (Office Central Anti-Drogue),has provided several pieces of sensitive information and evidence to RSO FSN Investigator (Reftel B). On May 14, 2008, Dr. Bah telephoned FSN Investigator to say he had a package for the Ambassador. Dr. Bah provided a one-kilo package containing white powder. According to Dr. Bah, he simply wanted to fulfill the Ambassador,s request for a random sample. On May 15, 2008, Dr. Bah explained that he is unsure of the package,s content. He only stated that the package was retrieved from the actual burn pile on the date of the incineration, after the incineration took place. All interaction between Dr. Bah and FSN Investigator has been at the request of Dr. Bah. Dr. Bah has provided select information and has not always been willing to answer questions for clarification. ¶3. (S) COMMENTS: Per instructions received from DEA Paris, the package is secured in an RSO safe. DEA will arrange a trip to Conakry to pick up both samples and send them for analysis. The package received on May 14, 2008 is very similar to the package provided by OCAD on the date of the incineration. ARSO noted that the sample taken at the incineration site smelled of gasoline. The package delivered by Dr. Bah was allegedly rescued from the incineration pile; however, it did not smell of gasoline nor did the package wear any signs of fire. According to sensitive reporting released this week, all except one kilo of cocaine was replaced by packages of manioc flour for the purpose of the incineration. ARSO strongly believes that the package delivered for the Ambassador is a kilo of flour. Dr. Bah,s motivation is unknown. Why is Dr. Bah going to such lengths to prove corruption? The ridiculous performance of the security officials at the incineration and the shameful attempt at transparency was sufficient evidence that narcocorruption has contaminated the GoG at the highest levels. Is Dr Bah hoping to manipulate the USG for personal gain? We cannot help but ask, are Dr. Bah,s intentions as pure as the samples of cocaine? CARTER