Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASUNCION150
2009-03-10 22:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:
CONVICTED NARCOS AND KIDNAPPER ESCAPE PARAGUAYAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAC #0150 0692205 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 102205Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7669 INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHNA/DEA HQS WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000150
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/DSS/ITA AND WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2034
TAGS: PGOV SNAR PA
SUBJECT: CONVICTED NARCOS AND KIDNAPPER ESCAPE PARAGUAYAN
POLICE CUSTODY
Classified By: DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000150
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/DSS/ITA AND WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2034
TAGS: PGOV SNAR PA
SUBJECT: CONVICTED NARCOS AND KIDNAPPER ESCAPE PARAGUAYAN
POLICE CUSTODY
Classified By: DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Two convicted Brazilian narcotics traffickers and a
convicted kidnapper escaped March 6 from a maximum-security
police detention facility in Asuncion. Narcotrafficker
Nilton Antunez Veron, a member of the Sao Paulo-based First
Capital Brigade (PCC),narcotrafficker Eder Pedro de Ferrato,
and Agustin Baez Rios, who was convicted in the kidnapping of
Japanese businessman Hirokazu Ota, took one police officer
hostage and released him before shooting their way out of the
facility. A fourth inmate, ex-police officer turned
convicted kidnapper Carmelo Ortiz, tried to escape but was
wounded by police and recaptured. (NOTE: The Specialized
Group police unit's maximum-security facility is one of
Paraguay's most secure detention centers, and houses over 160
of the country's most dangerous criminals. The escape
follows a March 3 riot in the same facility that left one
inmate hospitalized with severe injuries. The escapees are
major criminals. Pedro de Ferrato's narco-partner, Mendez
Mesquita, was extradited to the U.S. in 2005, and is now
doing hard time in U.S. prison. END NOTE.)
2. (U) Paraguayan National Police Commissioner Viviano
Machado relieved from duty three senior police officers March
8 who were responsible for the facility at the time of the
break out, and arrested 30 police officers for reportedly
letting the fugitives escape. Prosecutor Ramona Dominguez
opened an investigation March 9 against nine police officers
and "sex worker" Liliana Ferreira, who reportedly visited the
escapees and provided them with a firearm used during the
breakout. Dominguez is investigating claims that the
officers permitted Ferreira to visit the fugitives after
visiting hours.
3. (C) COMMENT: The Lugo government has taken steps to
improve prison security and fight corruption in the police
ranks. Its strong response to the escape underscore this
commitment. Nevertheless, this escape of high-profile
convicts from what many consider Paraguay's most secure
detention facility with likely police involvement is a
setback to Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola and Machado in
their fight to clean up Paraguayan law enforcement.
Paraguayan law enforcement will devote valuable resources
seeking to recapture the fugitives instead of other
priorities. END COMMENT.
Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion
AYALDE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/DSS/ITA AND WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2034
TAGS: PGOV SNAR PA
SUBJECT: CONVICTED NARCOS AND KIDNAPPER ESCAPE PARAGUAYAN
POLICE CUSTODY
Classified By: DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Two convicted Brazilian narcotics traffickers and a
convicted kidnapper escaped March 6 from a maximum-security
police detention facility in Asuncion. Narcotrafficker
Nilton Antunez Veron, a member of the Sao Paulo-based First
Capital Brigade (PCC),narcotrafficker Eder Pedro de Ferrato,
and Agustin Baez Rios, who was convicted in the kidnapping of
Japanese businessman Hirokazu Ota, took one police officer
hostage and released him before shooting their way out of the
facility. A fourth inmate, ex-police officer turned
convicted kidnapper Carmelo Ortiz, tried to escape but was
wounded by police and recaptured. (NOTE: The Specialized
Group police unit's maximum-security facility is one of
Paraguay's most secure detention centers, and houses over 160
of the country's most dangerous criminals. The escape
follows a March 3 riot in the same facility that left one
inmate hospitalized with severe injuries. The escapees are
major criminals. Pedro de Ferrato's narco-partner, Mendez
Mesquita, was extradited to the U.S. in 2005, and is now
doing hard time in U.S. prison. END NOTE.)
2. (U) Paraguayan National Police Commissioner Viviano
Machado relieved from duty three senior police officers March
8 who were responsible for the facility at the time of the
break out, and arrested 30 police officers for reportedly
letting the fugitives escape. Prosecutor Ramona Dominguez
opened an investigation March 9 against nine police officers
and "sex worker" Liliana Ferreira, who reportedly visited the
escapees and provided them with a firearm used during the
breakout. Dominguez is investigating claims that the
officers permitted Ferreira to visit the fugitives after
visiting hours.
3. (C) COMMENT: The Lugo government has taken steps to
improve prison security and fight corruption in the police
ranks. Its strong response to the escape underscore this
commitment. Nevertheless, this escape of high-profile
convicts from what many consider Paraguay's most secure
detention facility with likely police involvement is a
setback to Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola and Machado in
their fight to clean up Paraguayan law enforcement.
Paraguayan law enforcement will devote valuable resources
seeking to recapture the fugitives instead of other
priorities. END COMMENT.
Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion
AYALDE