WALK-IN: DUTCH NATIONAL WANTS TO PROVIDE NARCOTICS

S E C R E T FREETOWN 000484 NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/DSS/IP, DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR USCIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2018 TAGS: ASEC CVIS PINR PREF PTER SUBJECT: WALK-IN: DUTCH NATIONAL WANTS TO PROVIDE NARCOTICS INFO ON GUINEA Classified By: CDA GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (B) ¶1. (S/NF) On September 25, 2008, at 1441 hours, local time, ARSO Freetown was contacted by Post's Public Affairs Officer stating that there was a person at the main gate who would like to speak with someone in the Security Section in regards to information that they have. ARSO Freetown met Adrianus Cornelis Bernardus TAS, a Dutch citizen, at the Main CAC. He was screened appropriately and then escorted inside to an interview room by the ARSO. ¶2. (S/NF) Post Freetown does not have a dedicated Legatt or RAO personnel. Both are Regional, so the ARSO conducted the initial interview. TAS did not have any identification on him at the time. He stated that his passport is being held at the hotel/guest house he is staying at until he pays a deposit of $50.00. When questioned as to the nature of his visit, TAS stated that he had spent some time in Conakry, Guinea and was befriended by a fellow Dutch citizen (of African decent) by the name of Omar. Through Omar, TAS was introduced to a Guinean called Chem (Shem). Chem is supposedly the right-hand-man to the Guinean President, Lansana Conte. TAS explained that Chem is the brother of the President's wife. He stated that nothing goes to the President without going through Chem first. TAS said that Chem has strong ties with Guinea's Militia and has the complete protection of the President in all of his dealings. TAS stated that he observed Chem having contact with several South Americans and is "wired in" with the narcotics in the region. TAS said that Omar is trusted by Chem, and since Omar introduced TAS, he is trusted by Chem as well. ¶3. (S/NF) ARSO Freetown questioned TAS as to why he is offering this information and what his expectations are. TAS stated that he has been taken advantage of over the years financially by West Africans and during his time in GUINEA he was appalled at the level of open corruption and narcotic dealings that he was witnessing. When asked why he did not report this to the U.S. Embassy in Conakry, he said that he could not risk being seen entering the Embassy for obvious reasons. He stated that the above mentioned persons are very well connected with the narcotic trade in West Africa and that he is trusted within that group. TAS wanted to know if there is anyone from a U.S. Law Enforcement Agency or Intelligence Agency that would want him to use his connections to possibly attain useful information. ARSO Freetown documented the information that TAS offered and took his cell phone number for later contact. ¶4. (S/NF) ARSO Freetown was aware that personnel from RAO Conakry were traveling to Freetown the same day (09/25/2008) and passed to them the information gathered during the interview. Upon RAO Conakry's request, ARSO Freetown contacted TAS via cell phone and set up a meeting the following day (09/26/2008) at 0900 hours at the Embassy. RAO personnel met with TAS the next morning. End of report. ¶5. (U) ARSO Freetown will forward any additional information pertaining to this if/as it becomes available. FEDZER