BI-WEEKLY REPORTING CABLE FOR PERIOD ENDING

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001526 DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP, DAS CHRISTY MCCAMPBELL, AIMEE MARTIN AND JOE FURLONI DEPARTMENT FOR INL/RM, JAMES WALSH EMBASSIES FOR NAS PAFB FOR SHARON NELL SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL GT SUBJECT: BI-WEEKLY REPORTING CABLE FOR PERIOD ENDING 12/05/08 ? NARCOTICS AFFAIRS SECTION (U) 1. SUMMARY: This cable provides a summary of NAS activities in Guatemala covering the period ending December 5, 2008. End Summary. -------------- ¶2. NARCOTICS -------------- (U) COCAINE SEIZURE: The new Counter-Narcotics Police (SAIA) Chief with the support of SAIA operations units launched a number of counter-drug raids throughout Guatemala. The raids were designed to target those areas that have high incidence of drug trafficking activities. During these operations, numerous minor drug seizures were made. However the most significant was the seizure of 72 kilograms of cocaine seized from two tractor trailers near Escuintla. Two defendants were arrested. Post-seizure intelligence indicates that more drugs might be concealed in the trailers. SAIA and DIPA are conducting post-seizure searches to determine if any additional drugs are concealed inside the cargo. (U) COCAINE SEIZURE 2: SAIA agents intercepted a vehicle convoy in which the spouse and children of a major drug trafficker were traveling. A search of nine vehicles resulted in the seizure of 3 kilograms of cocaine, numerous assault rifles, hand guns, shotguns and radio equipment. The SAIA agents seized all nine vehicles and arrested nine people. A judge subsequently let the wife of the major trafficker go free ?for lack of evidence.? The Supreme Court is investigating the judge. (U) DRUG WAR: During a horse racing incident in Santa Ana Huista, Huehuetenango, shots were fired between two rival drug groups, one Mexican and the other Guatemalan. The shootout resulted in 22 confirmed dead and numerous others wounded, including bystanders. SAIA agents and elements from the Public Ministry requested NAS assistance in the post-shooting investigation and transportation of evidence. (U) METAMPHETAMINE LAB: A PNC unit intercepted two individuals as they were preparing to enter a home in the capital city of Guatemala. A search of their vehicle resulted in the seizure of 10 kilograms of cocaine which were concealed in a hidden compartment in the vehicle. The police officer requested the assistance of the Public Ministry to execute a search warrant for the home, which led to the discovery of a fully functioning methamphetamine laboratory. Members of the Public Ministry proceeded to dismantle the laboratory and seized all the drug evidence. Field test conducted on the seized substance tested positive for methamphetamine. This is the first meth lab to be found in Guatemala. -------------- ¶3. POLICE -------------- (U) ACADEMY: A two week train-the-trainer course was presented at the NAS sponsored Criminal Investigation School. 9 instructors from the Academy, Villa Nueva and the Criminal Investigation School graduated on December 5, 2008. (U) INTERCEPT TRAINING: A month long basic criminal investigation course for members of the PNC who will be working telephone intercept cases has been initiated. This is an important step in preparing these investigators for implementation of the Organized Crime Law. (U) EVALUATION FOR MOG: The Academy prepared a written evaluation of the programs developed in the Model Precinct setting forth best practices for future replication. This document has been presented to MOG to assist the Minister in selecting where the Model will be Qassist the Minister in selecting where the Model will be replicated. The information was taken from a survey of over 80 individuals who have participated in the implementation and functioning of the Model Precinct over the last 3 years. (U) VILLA NUEVA MODEL PRECINCT: Three investigators from the Model Precinct have been reassigned to the Special Prosecutors Unit responsible for investigating Organized Crime. The investigators will work in groups within the Unit to demonstrate best practices learned in Villa Nueva regarding investigations of extortions, kidnappings and auto theft. (U) TIMS: The director of the Drug Intelligence Unit for the Police of Honduras (CIENCO) visited Guatemala to observe the successful work of CRADIC and the Total Information Management System of the PNC. The director indicated that he will incorporate many of the best practices of the Guatemalan systems in the Honduran Intelligence Unit. Most important was the fact that a solid link for exchange of drug and organized crime information was established between the two countries. (U) NEW 24 HOUR COURT: NAS provided training in the use of the initial complaint form (RPI) and the Police computer network (SIPOL) was provided to members of the 24 hour court in Escuintla. The training included police and members of the Public Ministry. The Ambassador inaugurated the 24-hour court on December 11. (U) OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (ORP): 42 PNC officers graduated from the Investigation/Administration course designed for the Office of Professional Responsibility. The month long course is designed to provide investigators with the tools to conduct more effective investigations of police involved in corruption. 10 Investigators graduated from a week long course designed to orient them in Disciplinary Code infractions and procedures. (U) IG DEPLOYMENT: Two units of the Inspector General have been deployed to Precinct Number 13 and the Department of San Marcos. The units will be staffed with members of the PNC that have benefited from NAS training in anti-corruption and administrative matters. (U) PNC CAREER PATH: NAS continues to work closely with MOG in the development of a career program for the Police. NAS presented one of three models discussed in the seminar and it was the project that was accepted by the participants as the most complete and adequate for the PNC. (U) PRISON SYSTEM: NAS has received approval from the Director of Prisons to proceed with a project to gather information on individuals who visit gang members in prison. This is important to address the large number of extortions, murders and other criminal activity that is directed from within the prison and carried out by individuals visiting the gang members. The program consists of putting terminals in each of the 18 prisons in Guatemala and sharing information with CRADIC. (U) ANTI-GANG PROGRAM: Coordination of anti-gang information was accomplished with the Director of the Honduran Police Drug Intelligence Center (CIENCO). This is an important step in advancing the coordination on a regional level of the collection of gang information. (U) GANG INVESTIGATIONs: NAS coordinated meetings between the PNC and Public Ministry to establish a prosecutors unit to investigate gang crimes and for the PNC to vet personnel for an anti gang unit in the Criminal Investigation Division (DINC). -------------- ¶4. RULE OF LAW -------------- (U) HIGH LEVEL MEETING: The quarterly high level meeting (cabinet-level) with the Public Ministry, SECCATID and Ministry of Government was hosted by the Attorney QMinistry of Government was hosted by the Attorney General. The meeting was to discuss with newly appointed personnel, such as the Director General of the PNC and other MOG advisors, the bilateral programs carried out by NAS in the fight against illicit drug traffic and to discuss the security environment. During the discussions, various benchmark items were discussed, such as lack of distribution of seized assets among different GOG agencies in charge of demand reduction, law enforcement and prosecution of cases, the implementation of the anti-organized crime law and the lack of seizures. The AG committed to advocate with MOG for the prompt implementation of the law. (U) ORGANIZED CRIME LAW: NAS has begun the vetting process for 14 prosecutors, selected by the Public Ministry, to work in a specialized unit within the ministry. Both the Executive and the Public Ministry have set January 15, 2009, as the deadline for this agency to begin working. (U) INTERCEPT EQUIPMENT: The Private Secretary of the Attorney General informed NAS that he, along with MP prosecutors and technicians, would travel on December 9, 2008 to Brazil to purchase the wire intercept equipment, with GOG funds. -------------- ¶5. DEMAND REDUCTION -------------- (U) SPENDING PLAN REVIEW: NAS met with SECCATID on formation of a detailed spending plan. -------------- ¶6. AVIATION SUPPORT (ASP) -------------- (U) FUEL: NAS met with the Fuels Logistics Manager for the PNC, who is handling the account for the fuel that the MOG is providing to the NAS ASP. He provided an update on the status of the MOG request to the Ministry of Finance for the approximately US$1.3 million (local currency Q 10 million) for ASP fuel, saying that the internal request process within the MOG is nearly finished, and will be forwarded to MOF before the end of the year. (U) INL/A VISIT: The INL Air Wing Rotary Wing Standardization Chief visited post. During his visit, he was able to visit Retalhuleu and Santa Elena, Peten and while flying to those locations he gave two check rides. Additionally, he gave a no-notice evaluation to the Site Standardization Instructor Pilot who was giving an oral evaluation to the pilot in command who failed the evaluation and is now a copilot and will receive more training to be followed by another evaluation to determine his status. The Standardization Chief stated that the ASP overall was in great shape in the area of training and standardization and that the project was fully trained up and prepared to execute its mission under daylight conditions and saw no problems with the ASP moving into night vision goggle training. (U) COORDINATION MEETING WITH SAIA: NAS held a meeting with the head of the SAIA on increasing the amount of counter-narcotics operations the ASP could support. There were several missions planned for the following week starting with a reconnaissance mission the following day, and the SAIA and the ASA both committed to keep in better contact in order to maximize both the use and the effectiveness of the ASP helicopters. (U) RECON MISSION: NAS flew a reconnaissance mission in the department of Izabal in the Motagua River valley and along the Honduran border. The purpose of the mission was to fly to five different points that were taken from intelligence captured by the SAIA and look for possible drug and loot stash sites. (U) RECON MISION 2: NAS flew a mission to Puerto Barrios, Izabal to support the Kaibiles that are stationed there (the principal unit that the FIAAT Kaibil quick reaction force in Poptun, Peten is detached from). The purpose of the mission was to overfly several suspected drug Qthe mission was to overfly several suspected drug smuggling (crossing) sites along the Honduran border and on the beaches of the Bay of Honduras (the Caribbean). Locations for future counter drug operations were identified as well. The mission was completed without incident. (U) RECON MISSION 2 PART 2: NAS took advantage of the flight to Puerto Barrios in order to complete a reconnaissance mission that was canceled due to bad weather. The SAIA agents were able to take many photos and believe they have valuable information for follow on operations. (U) DEA SUPPORT: NAS flew a one helicopter mission in support of the DEA and the US Army Special Forces in Poptun (a Central Skies support mission). NAS transported a DEA Agent and one of the members of the Special Forces training team to Poptun. NAS had intended to fly a DEA King Air pilot up to Poptun on this same flight to look at the airstrip there to determine the suitability of the Poptun airstrip for King Air operations, but after showing him the ASP file photos, the pilot determined that the strip was unsuitable for King Air operations and that his trip was unnecessary. (U) SAIA RAID SUPPORT: NAS placed two aircraft on standby for a support mission to Coban, Alta Verapaz. The SAIA was raiding five houses that belong to suspected drug traffickers. The SAIA captured several suspected drug traffickers and also discovered weapons, munitions and drugs. Additionally, the SAIA found maps, note books with coordinates, photos, radios and frequencies that would provide intelligence to support follow on missions. (U)RECON MISSION 3: NAS flew a two ship reconnaissance mission of the beach on the GuatQan south coast. The idea behind the beach mission was to overfly and photograph 21 separate points of interest along the coast that are possible or suspected beaching sites/smuggling routes for fast boat shipments of drugs coming up the pacific coast from South America. NAS also carried a team of 12 Quick reaction Force FIAAT members on board in case the flight encountered targets of opportunity. No targets of opportunity were noted. (U) CENTRAL SKIES SUPPORT: NAS deployed three aircraft to Santa Elena, Peten in support of a JIATF-South ground based radar (GBR) site urvey mission. (U) The JIATF-South teamed arrivd at the Guatemalan Air Force Base in Santa Elena. NAS transported them to Poptun, Peten in two helicopters for their first site survey. After transporting the GBR Team, NAS loaded up 12 FIATT Kaibil QRF members in Poptun and flew them to an LZ (a practice tactical insertion) that was ten miles east of Puerto Barrios, Izabal. The QRF was taking part in field operations with their parent unit (the unit they are detached from) out of Puerto Barrios. (U) Bad weather forced the helicopters to remain over night in Puerto Barrios. The stand by crew in Santa Elena was launched to Poptun to pick up the JIATF-South team. The crews picked up the JIATF-South team and returned toward Santa Elena. En route, the crew ran into heavy rain and reduced visibility and made the decision to land in a soccer field in a small town. Because of the late hour in the afternoon (nightfall),NAS elected to leave the aircraft secured in the field with local military and returned the visitors and crews to Santa Elena. It should be noted that the weather for all destinations was reported as better than required for our operations. (U) CENTRAL SKIES SUPPORT 2: NAS launched two aircraft to perform the second half of the JIATF-South ground base radar site survey in Playa Grande, Quiche. The mission went off without problems; the weather was much improved. Qwent off without problems; the weather was much improved. (U) INSERTION MISSION: NAS flew a tactical insertion mission with three helicopters to an airstrip at Ixquisis in northern Huehuetenango. There are reports that drug traffickers are using the airstrip in Ixquisis for drug flights. NAS inserted a team of eight Kaibiles and eight SAIA who will be in place for a week. (U) RECON MISSION 4: On the return trip from the Ixquisis tactical insertion, NAS flew a reconnaissance mission with two SAIA agents over coordinates that were found in a notebook that was captured on the SAIA raid that took place in the city of Coban, Alta Verapaz. The agents took photographs of the locations and collected information and then NAS helicopters returned to Santa Elena. (U) PROSECUTOR SUPPORT MISSION: NAS flew a support mission for the Director of the Office of the Attorney General for Counter Narcotics (GOG) to retrieve 20 weapons (11 long guns and 9 pistols) and other evidence that was captured and will be used as evidence in the case resulting from the SAIA raid in Coban. (U) EQUIPMENT: The night vision goggles and door guns for NAS arrived in country and are in USG custody. MCFARLAND