BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050137870

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 133426 SENSITIVE SIPDIS MANAGUA FOR JESSE CURTIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2018 TAGS: ETTC KOMC NU SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050137870 REF: IIR 6 870 0006 04 OF MARCH 2002 Classified By: David C. Trimble, for reasons 1.4(a),(b),and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2 - 4. ¶2. (U) The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests Post's assistance in conducting a pre-license check on license 050137870 for the export of firearms to Nicaragua. Post is requested to complete this Blue Lantern check within 30 days. Lack of response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending and future licenses involving parties to this license. ¶3. (C) Reason for Request: Intelligence reporting (REFTEL) cites potential ties between Carlos Zamora, reported owner of end-user El Cazador, and retired Major General Roberto Calderon Meza, who has allegedly been involved with illicit arms deals in the region. This request is to establish the bona fides of El Cazador as a reliable recipient of the U.S. Munitions List items listed below. ¶4. (U) Action Request: Post is requested to establish the bona fides of end-user El Cazador by working with relevant country team members and by making appropriate inquires to representatives of the company and authorities of the Government of Nicaragua. Post is specifically requested to determine if any of the parties are involved in illicit activity. In its reply, Post may also comment on any other information pertinent to this transaction such as security of facilities, end-use, and concerns about the entities involved. ¶5. (U) Details of license applications: DTC Case: 050137870 QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 70 M&P 9 Pistols, 9mm 15 M&P40 Pistols, .40 Caliber 7 M&P45 Pistols, .45 Caliber 5 Model 64 Revolvers, .38 Caliber 5 Model 67 Pistols, .38 Caliber 5 Model 442 Revolvers, .38 Caliber 5 Model 60 Revolvers, .38 Caliber 5 Model 640 Revolvers, .357 Caliber 46 Model 686 Revolvers, .357 Caliber 3 Model 351 Revolvers, .22 Caliber 50 Pistol Magazines License Value: USD $68,436 SELLER: Smith and Wesson Holding Corp 2100 Roosevelt Ave. Springfield, MA 01104 FOREIGN END-USER: El Cazador S.A. Iglesia El Calvario 2C Al Norte 1/2 C AL Este Managua, Nicaragua Tel: (505) 250-5783 PURPOSE: For commercial resale in Nicaragua ¶6. (U) Submitted in support of the license application were the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to Posts upon request): DSP-83 signed by Carlos Melendez dated 11/20/2008 and Helene ¶L. Piquette dated 12/17/2008 Certificado No. D-MGA-083/2008 issued by the Polica Nacional signed by Mirna Fabri Medrano dated 11/14/2008 Certificado No. D-MGA-086/2008 issued by the Polica Nacional signed by Mirna Fabri Medrano dated 11/14/2008 Purchase Order No. EC080-0005 from El Cazador signed by Carlos Melendez dated 11/04/2008 Purchase Order No. EC080-0006 from El Cazador signed by Carlos Melendez dated 11/15/2008 ¶7. (U) Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case number in the subject line. POC is Kyle M. Ballard, Phone: 202-663-1929; Email: BallardKM@state.gov; SIPRNET: BallardKM@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref) is available as a PDF file in the Bunche Library's E-Book Collection on the DOS Intranet: http://virtuallibrary.state.gov/ BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf ¶8. (U) Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this matter. RICE