COCAINE REPORTEDLY STOLEN FROM OUSMANE CONTE'S

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000493 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018 TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: COCAINE REPORTEDLY STOLEN FROM OUSMANE CONTE'S VEHICLE REF: CONAKRY 0480 Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (S) According to the Prefect of Mamou, one of suspected drug kingpin Ousmane Conte's personal vehicles was abandoned in Kamsar after a hit and run accident a few weeks ago. Apparently, Ousmane's chauffeur was driving Ousmane's vehicle alone when he accidentally hit a woman on the street. Fearing a reprisal from the gathering crowd, the chauffeur reportedly fled the scene, leaving the vehicle behind. The Prefect said that some youths looted the vehicle and stole an unspecified amount of cocaine and cash. Referring to the recent shooting incident in Kamsar, which also involved Ousmane (reftel),the Prefect said that the cases underscore Guinea's growing drug problem as well as Ousmane's absolute immunity from the law. ¶2. (S) COMMENT. Ousmane Conte is President Conte's eldest son and an officer in the Guinean Armed Forces. Reporting indicates that he is at the center of Guinea's drug trafficking network. The Prefect of Mamou has proven to be an excellent Embassy contact over the past year. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE