RASH OF DRUG AND CASH SEIZURES AND ARRESTS IN

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