Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TEGUCIGALPA260
2008-03-17 23:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:
RASH OF DRUG AND CASH SEIZURES AND ARRESTS IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTG #0260 0772307 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 172307Z MAR 08 ZEL FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7844 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC RHMFISS/DIRJIATF SOUTH RUEAHND/CDRJTFB SOTO CANO HO RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000260
C O R R E C T E D COPY - CORRECTING DECL DATE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL: AIMEE MARTIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2018
TAGS: SNAR KCRM KJUS HO
SUBJECT: RASH OF DRUG AND CASH SEIZURES AND ARRESTS IN
HONDURAS, MARCH 11-13, 2008
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James Williard, reasons 1.4 (b a
nd d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000260
C O R R E C T E D COPY - CORRECTING DECL DATE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL: AIMEE MARTIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2018
TAGS: SNAR KCRM KJUS HO
SUBJECT: RASH OF DRUG AND CASH SEIZURES AND ARRESTS IN
HONDURAS, MARCH 11-13, 2008
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James Williard, reasons 1.4 (b a
nd d)
1. (SBU) On March 11, Colombian armed forces and police
interdicted the Honduran-flagged fishing vessel Captain
Cooley while it was docked at San Andres waiting to depart to
Honduras. Inside three barrels located in the main cabin,
they found bags containing a total of 1,375 pellets filled
with heroin to be swallowed for internal body smuggling.
Additionally, sixty-one 40 mm HE grenades were interspersed
with the pellets. Captain Cooley has been identified as a
vessel involved in drug trafficking for the past 4 years.
2. (U) On March 12, three hours after the National Automated
Case Management Information System (NACMIS),an INL-sponsored
project, was installed at a police station in the Department
of Francisco Morazan, the police apprehended three
individuals that were in the system as having had outstanding
arrest warrants for the past six years. NACMIS has been
installed in more than 25 police stations in five Departments
of Honduras, and the European Union is interested in funding
the expansion of the system throughout the rest of the
country.
3. (SBU) On March 13, two Panamanian nationals were arrested
at Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa for
attempting to board a flight with USD 2.1 million in cash.
Two attorneys from San Pedro Sula arrived immediately after
the arrest to represent the subjects. The cash was
discovered by airport security guards manning the x-ray
machines. Sources say that a police officer was arrested in
the aftermath for taking a bribe to allow the subjects to
depart the airport. Investigations continue regarding the
origin of the cash and the activities of the two Panamanian
nationals.
4. (C) Comment: These arrests and seizures are positive
steps in addressing the serious problems of crime and
violence in Honduras. The challenge in these cases now will
be the follow up on the part of the criminal justice system,
which is inept and rife with corruption. Unfortunately, it is
common for money launderers and drug traffickers to
eventually be released and their cases dismissed based on
technicalities. End Comment.
FORD
C O R R E C T E D COPY - CORRECTING DECL DATE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL: AIMEE MARTIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2018
TAGS: SNAR KCRM KJUS HO
SUBJECT: RASH OF DRUG AND CASH SEIZURES AND ARRESTS IN
HONDURAS, MARCH 11-13, 2008
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James Williard, reasons 1.4 (b a
nd d)
1. (SBU) On March 11, Colombian armed forces and police
interdicted the Honduran-flagged fishing vessel Captain
Cooley while it was docked at San Andres waiting to depart to
Honduras. Inside three barrels located in the main cabin,
they found bags containing a total of 1,375 pellets filled
with heroin to be swallowed for internal body smuggling.
Additionally, sixty-one 40 mm HE grenades were interspersed
with the pellets. Captain Cooley has been identified as a
vessel involved in drug trafficking for the past 4 years.
2. (U) On March 12, three hours after the National Automated
Case Management Information System (NACMIS),an INL-sponsored
project, was installed at a police station in the Department
of Francisco Morazan, the police apprehended three
individuals that were in the system as having had outstanding
arrest warrants for the past six years. NACMIS has been
installed in more than 25 police stations in five Departments
of Honduras, and the European Union is interested in funding
the expansion of the system throughout the rest of the
country.
3. (SBU) On March 13, two Panamanian nationals were arrested
at Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa for
attempting to board a flight with USD 2.1 million in cash.
Two attorneys from San Pedro Sula arrived immediately after
the arrest to represent the subjects. The cash was
discovered by airport security guards manning the x-ray
machines. Sources say that a police officer was arrested in
the aftermath for taking a bribe to allow the subjects to
depart the airport. Investigations continue regarding the
origin of the cash and the activities of the two Panamanian
nationals.
4. (C) Comment: These arrests and seizures are positive
steps in addressing the serious problems of crime and
violence in Honduras. The challenge in these cases now will
be the follow up on the part of the criminal justice system,
which is inept and rife with corruption. Unfortunately, it is
common for money launderers and drug traffickers to
eventually be released and their cases dismissed based on
technicalities. End Comment.
FORD