Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LIMA1686
2008-10-20 20:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lima
Cable title:
LIMA NAS MONTHLY REPORT - SEPTEMBER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHPE #1686/01 2942046 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 202046Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9462 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 6073 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 3489 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1243 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ OCT MEXICO 3732 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 2127 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 2032
UNCLAS LIMA 001686
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP NAD WHA/PPC
ONDCP FOR LT COL RONALD GARNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE
SUBJECT: LIMA NAS MONTHLY REPORT - SEPTEMBER
UNCLAS LIMA 001686
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP NAD WHA/PPC
ONDCP FOR LT COL RONALD GARNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE
SUBJECT: LIMA NAS MONTHLY REPORT - SEPTEMBER
1. (U) Summary:
* NAS Director completes Field Orientation
* New Solicitor for Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture
Position Created
* SL Threat Grounds UH-2s in Santa Lucia
* FAP Budget Cuts Will Negatively Impact VRAE Operations
* NAS Aviation Update
* DIRANDRO Activities
* Pre-Academies Conduct Practice Exams
* SUNAT Statistics
* NAS Sponsored Canine Course completed
* NAS/DEA Sponsored Chemical Interdiction Unit
* CORAH Statistics
* Anti-Drug Community Coalitions Exhibition
--------------
NAS Director completes Field Orientation
--------------
2. (U) NAS Director Arias, accompanied by the Director of
DIRANDRO and other NAS officers, conducted an orientation
visit to PNP bases in Ayacucho, Santa Lucia, Palma
Pampa, and Mazamari.
-------------- --------------
New Solicitor for Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture
Position Created
-------------- --------------
3. (U) The GOP has designated a new specialized Solicitor for
Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture within the
Prosecutor's Office. This new specialized Solicitor will
have responsibility for all non-drug or terrorism related
Money Laundering cases, both of which will stay with their
respective departments. The position is expected to be
filled by early October.
--------------
SL Threat Grounds UH-2s in Santa Lucia
--------------
4. (U) At the end of September, Sendero Luminoso elements
threatened to down UH-2 eradication support helicopters in
Santa Lucia. All helicopters were grounded save one
flight of food and water for the eradication forces still
in the field. Regular operations resumed the following
morning.
-------------- --------------
FAP Budget Cuts Will Negatively Impact VRAE Operations
-------------- --------------
5. (U) The Peruvian Air Force (FAP) faces a 90 percent budget
reduction by the Ministry of Finance. This looming budget
cut comes at a critical time for the FAP, who until
recently had very few fixed wing aircraft and flyable
helicopters. However, though the aircraft is now properly
maintained, there are no funds to purchase fuel. NAS' FAP
contacts insist that this cut will negatively impact the
ability of the FAP to continue the escalation of counter
terrorism operations in the VRAE.
--------------
NAS Aviation Update
--------------
6. (U) The FLIR and Digital Camera for the C-26s used to
support
ongoing CN/CT operations in the VRAE are expected to be
repaired and fully operational by the first week of
October. FAP leadership are anxious to be able to use the
FLIR and Digital Camera in support of VRAE operations.
7. (U) The need for repairs for the runway at Palma Pampa in
the
VRAE remains critical. At this moment, and for the past
year, only UH-2s are able to land on what is the only fixed
wing aircraft runway for the VRAE. The local mayor remains
an obstacle due to his preoccupation with the possibility
of resistance by the narco-traffickers and the local
population. The closest usable runway for fixed wing
aircraft is located in Mazamari, an hour and fifteen
minutes by helicopter from Palma Pampa. NAS Lima continues
to work with the FAP and other local authorities to obtainpermission to begin the repairs. The FAP is interested in
establishing a detachment of their own at Palma Pampa and
therefore has worked closely with NAS to move the repairs
forward. The FAP Commander for the region has spoken with
the Joint Services Commander and the Minister of Defense
who has committed to meeting with the Prime Minister
to seek support for the repairs.
--------------
DIRANDRO Activities
--------------
8. (U) Overall, DIRANDRO reports the destruction of 940
cocaine
base and 16 HCL laboratories and the seizure of 381,751.933
kilos of precursor chemicals and 22,992.706 kilos of drugs
for the month of September. In the Huallaga Valley alone,
DIRANDRO reports the destruction of 22 cocaine base
laboratories and 15 rustic cocaine laboratories. In Tingo
Maria, the Special Operation Division destroyed a large HCL
laboratory and confiscated 2.5 MT of precursor chemicals and
67 kilograms of HCL. Finally, the Ayacucho Road
Interdiction Group intercepted two inter-city buses headed
to Lima from Ayacucho seizing 51 hand grenades and 9 kilos
of cocaine paste. The price of coca leaf per arroba has
increased slightly in the Huallaga Valley to 35 USD as
well as in the VRAE to 40 USD. This increase is in
anticipation of the beginning of the rainy season.
--------------
Pre-Academies Conduct Practice Exams
--------------
9. (U) NAS sponsored Pre-Academies conducted a practice exam
for
600 students to evaluate their knowledge prior to the
Police Academy entrance exams which are due to begin in
December. Had this been the real exam, approximately 40
percent of the students would have passed. This is a
marked improvement from last year when only 30 percent of
the students performed well on the practice exam.
--------------
SUNAT Statistics
--------------
10. (U) Peruvian Customs at Jorge Chavez International
Airport,
Lima (SUNAT) and the main international post office
(SERPOST) seized 93.05 kilos of cocaine HCL and detained 12
internal carriers (each carrying nearly one kilo). At the
Port of Callao, SUNAT scanned 13,078 sea-going containers
and physically inspected 278 containers. SUNAT detained a
passenger traveling from Madrid into Lima carrying 108,000
Euros in the lining of his jacket and is now under
investigation for money laundering.
--------------
Canine Course completed
--------------
11. (U) Thirteen SUNAT canines and 11 handlers completed the
13
week training course at the Colombian National Police
canine training facilities in Facatativa, Columbia. The
newly produced SUNAT Canine Manual was used by the USCBP
and SUNAT instructors to conduct the training. In
coordination with NAS Bogota, four Colombian Police
handlers/canines also participated. With the addition of
the 11 new handlers and canines, the SUNAT interdiction
capability is expected to increase significantly
considering that the current unit of 8 canines has
discovered over 30 MT of cocaine since 2006. The new units
are expected to be deployed and fully operational by
November 2008.
--------------
Chemical Interdiction Unit
--------------
12. (U) The NAS sponsored Chemical Interdiction Unit
uncovered a
large scale laboratory and equipment in the Sendero
Luminoso stronghold of Alto Union and Bajo
Cotomono-Aucayacu in Tingo Maria. Four microwave ovens,
five hydraulic metal presses, six metal molds for cocaine
brick production, large air compressor, a generator, two
acetone recyclers, and seven scales were seized as was 2.5
metric tons of acetone, ten kilos of potassium
permanganate, 200 gallons of alcohol and 77 kilos of
cocaine HCL. It is estimated that this laboratory was
producing approximately 1,000 kilos of HCL monthly.
Additionally, the Chemical Unit interdicted a cargo truck
outside the northern city limits of Lima, en route to the
VRAE, seizing two MT of hydrochloric acid and making five
arrests.
--------------
CORAH Statistics
--------------
13. (U) CORAH eradicated 713.3 hectares during the month of
September brining the yearly total to 7,613.8. During
eradication, 22 maceration pits were uncovered at a ratio
of 3.56 aceration pits every 100 hectares eradicated.
--------------
Anti-Drug Community Coalitions Exhibition
--------------
14. (U) NAS Programs Office has identified the lack of public
information and visibility of the 11 NAS sponsored Lima
Anti-drug Community Coalitions (CAC) as a serious obstacle
to sustainability. As such, NAS programs organized a CAC
exhibition and presentation for local authorities and
media. Each of the 11 CACs designed a table top
informative presentation of their CAC activities which were
displayed during a larger presentation about the Lima CACs,
their work and activities in the communities. The event
was used to launch a new informative video about the CACs
and the new CAC website. In addition to local police and
community leadership, the audience also included four
regional Mayors, representatives from the Ministry of the
Interior, Ministry of Health, local schools, church
representatives, a representative from the Army, a
representative from the Municipality of Lima, the regional
government of Callao, among others. The event was heavily
covered by both local and national press in print, online,
radio and television. Additionally, the deputy director of
the Secretaria Ejecutiva de la commission contra de las
Adicciones y el Trafico Ilicito de Drogas (SECCATID) in
Guatemala attended the event and expressed deep interest in
replicating the Lima CAC experience in Guatemala.
MCKINLEY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP NAD WHA/PPC
ONDCP FOR LT COL RONALD GARNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE
SUBJECT: LIMA NAS MONTHLY REPORT - SEPTEMBER
1. (U) Summary:
* NAS Director completes Field Orientation
* New Solicitor for Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture
Position Created
* SL Threat Grounds UH-2s in Santa Lucia
* FAP Budget Cuts Will Negatively Impact VRAE Operations
* NAS Aviation Update
* DIRANDRO Activities
* Pre-Academies Conduct Practice Exams
* SUNAT Statistics
* NAS Sponsored Canine Course completed
* NAS/DEA Sponsored Chemical Interdiction Unit
* CORAH Statistics
* Anti-Drug Community Coalitions Exhibition
--------------
NAS Director completes Field Orientation
--------------
2. (U) NAS Director Arias, accompanied by the Director of
DIRANDRO and other NAS officers, conducted an orientation
visit to PNP bases in Ayacucho, Santa Lucia, Palma
Pampa, and Mazamari.
-------------- --------------
New Solicitor for Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture
Position Created
-------------- --------------
3. (U) The GOP has designated a new specialized Solicitor for
Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture within the
Prosecutor's Office. This new specialized Solicitor will
have responsibility for all non-drug or terrorism related
Money Laundering cases, both of which will stay with their
respective departments. The position is expected to be
filled by early October.
--------------
SL Threat Grounds UH-2s in Santa Lucia
--------------
4. (U) At the end of September, Sendero Luminoso elements
threatened to down UH-2 eradication support helicopters in
Santa Lucia. All helicopters were grounded save one
flight of food and water for the eradication forces still
in the field. Regular operations resumed the following
morning.
-------------- --------------
FAP Budget Cuts Will Negatively Impact VRAE Operations
-------------- --------------
5. (U) The Peruvian Air Force (FAP) faces a 90 percent budget
reduction by the Ministry of Finance. This looming budget
cut comes at a critical time for the FAP, who until
recently had very few fixed wing aircraft and flyable
helicopters. However, though the aircraft is now properly
maintained, there are no funds to purchase fuel. NAS' FAP
contacts insist that this cut will negatively impact the
ability of the FAP to continue the escalation of counter
terrorism operations in the VRAE.
--------------
NAS Aviation Update
--------------
6. (U) The FLIR and Digital Camera for the C-26s used to
support
ongoing CN/CT operations in the VRAE are expected to be
repaired and fully operational by the first week of
October. FAP leadership are anxious to be able to use the
FLIR and Digital Camera in support of VRAE operations.
7. (U) The need for repairs for the runway at Palma Pampa in
the
VRAE remains critical. At this moment, and for the past
year, only UH-2s are able to land on what is the only fixed
wing aircraft runway for the VRAE. The local mayor remains
an obstacle due to his preoccupation with the possibility
of resistance by the narco-traffickers and the local
population. The closest usable runway for fixed wing
aircraft is located in Mazamari, an hour and fifteen
minutes by helicopter from Palma Pampa. NAS Lima continues
to work with the FAP and other local authorities to obtainpermission to begin the repairs. The FAP is interested in
establishing a detachment of their own at Palma Pampa and
therefore has worked closely with NAS to move the repairs
forward. The FAP Commander for the region has spoken with
the Joint Services Commander and the Minister of Defense
who has committed to meeting with the Prime Minister
to seek support for the repairs.
--------------
DIRANDRO Activities
--------------
8. (U) Overall, DIRANDRO reports the destruction of 940
cocaine
base and 16 HCL laboratories and the seizure of 381,751.933
kilos of precursor chemicals and 22,992.706 kilos of drugs
for the month of September. In the Huallaga Valley alone,
DIRANDRO reports the destruction of 22 cocaine base
laboratories and 15 rustic cocaine laboratories. In Tingo
Maria, the Special Operation Division destroyed a large HCL
laboratory and confiscated 2.5 MT of precursor chemicals and
67 kilograms of HCL. Finally, the Ayacucho Road
Interdiction Group intercepted two inter-city buses headed
to Lima from Ayacucho seizing 51 hand grenades and 9 kilos
of cocaine paste. The price of coca leaf per arroba has
increased slightly in the Huallaga Valley to 35 USD as
well as in the VRAE to 40 USD. This increase is in
anticipation of the beginning of the rainy season.
--------------
Pre-Academies Conduct Practice Exams
--------------
9. (U) NAS sponsored Pre-Academies conducted a practice exam
for
600 students to evaluate their knowledge prior to the
Police Academy entrance exams which are due to begin in
December. Had this been the real exam, approximately 40
percent of the students would have passed. This is a
marked improvement from last year when only 30 percent of
the students performed well on the practice exam.
--------------
SUNAT Statistics
--------------
10. (U) Peruvian Customs at Jorge Chavez International
Airport,
Lima (SUNAT) and the main international post office
(SERPOST) seized 93.05 kilos of cocaine HCL and detained 12
internal carriers (each carrying nearly one kilo). At the
Port of Callao, SUNAT scanned 13,078 sea-going containers
and physically inspected 278 containers. SUNAT detained a
passenger traveling from Madrid into Lima carrying 108,000
Euros in the lining of his jacket and is now under
investigation for money laundering.
--------------
Canine Course completed
--------------
11. (U) Thirteen SUNAT canines and 11 handlers completed the
13
week training course at the Colombian National Police
canine training facilities in Facatativa, Columbia. The
newly produced SUNAT Canine Manual was used by the USCBP
and SUNAT instructors to conduct the training. In
coordination with NAS Bogota, four Colombian Police
handlers/canines also participated. With the addition of
the 11 new handlers and canines, the SUNAT interdiction
capability is expected to increase significantly
considering that the current unit of 8 canines has
discovered over 30 MT of cocaine since 2006. The new units
are expected to be deployed and fully operational by
November 2008.
--------------
Chemical Interdiction Unit
--------------
12. (U) The NAS sponsored Chemical Interdiction Unit
uncovered a
large scale laboratory and equipment in the Sendero
Luminoso stronghold of Alto Union and Bajo
Cotomono-Aucayacu in Tingo Maria. Four microwave ovens,
five hydraulic metal presses, six metal molds for cocaine
brick production, large air compressor, a generator, two
acetone recyclers, and seven scales were seized as was 2.5
metric tons of acetone, ten kilos of potassium
permanganate, 200 gallons of alcohol and 77 kilos of
cocaine HCL. It is estimated that this laboratory was
producing approximately 1,000 kilos of HCL monthly.
Additionally, the Chemical Unit interdicted a cargo truck
outside the northern city limits of Lima, en route to the
VRAE, seizing two MT of hydrochloric acid and making five
arrests.
--------------
CORAH Statistics
--------------
13. (U) CORAH eradicated 713.3 hectares during the month of
September brining the yearly total to 7,613.8. During
eradication, 22 maceration pits were uncovered at a ratio
of 3.56 aceration pits every 100 hectares eradicated.
--------------
Anti-Drug Community Coalitions Exhibition
--------------
14. (U) NAS Programs Office has identified the lack of public
information and visibility of the 11 NAS sponsored Lima
Anti-drug Community Coalitions (CAC) as a serious obstacle
to sustainability. As such, NAS programs organized a CAC
exhibition and presentation for local authorities and
media. Each of the 11 CACs designed a table top
informative presentation of their CAC activities which were
displayed during a larger presentation about the Lima CACs,
their work and activities in the communities. The event
was used to launch a new informative video about the CACs
and the new CAC website. In addition to local police and
community leadership, the audience also included four
regional Mayors, representatives from the Ministry of the
Interior, Ministry of Health, local schools, church
representatives, a representative from the Army, a
representative from the Municipality of Lima, the regional
government of Callao, among others. The event was heavily
covered by both local and national press in print, online,
radio and television. Additionally, the deputy director of
the Secretaria Ejecutiva de la commission contra de las
Adicciones y el Trafico Ilicito de Drogas (SECCATID) in
Guatemala attended the event and expressed deep interest in
replicating the Lima CAC experience in Guatemala.
MCKINLEY