PARAGUAY'S 2009 FIRST QUARTER INL REPORT

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000268

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/BSC MDASHBACH, INL/LP DHOOKER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN PREL KCRIM PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY'S 2009 FIRST QUARTER INL REPORT


I. SUMMARY: The Government of Paraguay's National Anti-Drug
Secretariat (SENAD) continued to work diligently on drug enforcement
activities in the first quarter of 2009. Seizures of both cocaine
and marijuana remained steady and authorities continue disrupting
drug trafficking. INL continues to support SENAD's active demand
reduction program, and provides operational support to the
Specialized Technical Unit (UTE). INL also continues to provide
assistance for the Trafficking in Person Program (TIP) run by the
Woman's Secretariat and SENAD agents' training program. END
SUMMARY.

II. PROGRAM DISCUSSION:


A. Demand Reduction:
In February and March, SENAD's Prevention Program provided a total
of 322 workshops, reaching 7,162 students, teachers and parents. It
also coordinated activities for prevention of drug use in 27
educational institutions and disseminated 320 informational
pamphlets to teachers and counselors to use during workshops. No
workshops occurred during the month of January due to school summer
vacations.

SENAD's prevention unit continued working on its main objective to
reach hundreds of participants each month in the Central Department,
Fernando de la Mora and Villa Elisa cities. The program included
formal workshops, informal sessions, public seminars, and the
distribution of informational materials.


B. Narcotics detection canine (K-9) program:
The canine program continues to seize drugs and enhance the overall
efforts of SENAD's drug interdiction program. This quarter, canine
alerts led to the seizure of four kilos of cocaine and the arrests
of one suspect at Asuncion's International Airport.


C. Law Enforcement:
On January 6, 2009, SENAD seized 259 kilos of marijuana and a
hydraulic press during a murder investigation in Itakyry district
located in the Alto Parana Department. After obtaining a sample for
evidence, the drugs were incinerated on the spot.
On January 7, 2009, during a routine vehicle screening, SENAD seized
three kilos of cocaine and one vehicle with an estimated value of
USD 29,700.00. One Paraguayan citizen was arrested during this
operation conducted in Luque, Central Department.
On February 20, 2009, during a routine vehicle screening in Pedro
Juan Caballero, SENAD seized 15 kilos of cocaine (estimated value
USD 107,000.00 in the local market). The drugs were being
transported by bus from Pedro Juan Caballero to Asuncion inside a
box containing flour. No arrest was reported in this operation.
On March 1, 2009, SENAD seized 443 kilos of marijuana abandoned on
the Parana River shore in Encarnacion city. The drugs were hidden in
the bushes inside black plastic bags. No arrest was made in this
operation.

Between March 11 and 20, 2009, SENAD conducted marijuana eradication
operations in Canindeyu Department. Although authorities made no
arrests in these operations, SENAD cleared 194 hectares of planted
marijuana and destroyed 1,850 kilos of marijuana, 120 kilos of
marijuana seeds, hydraulic presses and 16 tents.

On March 27, 2009, a search warrant was executed in a house located
in the Amambay Department. Once on the scene, SENAD and prosecutors
entered the property and were met by gunfire from three suspects
that ultimately escaped. Authorities seized seven tons of
marijuana.


D. Auto theft:
News reports on auto theft have decreased drastically in the past
quarter. No official statistics have been published.


E. Border control:
Border controls continue to be weak. Control posts coincide with
Paraguayan Customs offices at the main points of entry/exit of the
country, leaving long stretches of Paraguay's borders with
Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil unattended.


F. Domestic violence and trafficking in persons:
INL continues to support the anti-TIP program providing funds to
cover operational costs for a shelter in Asuncion run by the Woman's
Secretariat. INL will be funding two other projects to be
implemented during the second quarter of 2009. One is the purchase
of two additional software licenses for the TIP database, and
second, a TIP Manual publication that will facilitate public
awareness.


G. Intellectual property rights:
During the first quarter of 2009, the Specialized Technical Unit
(UTE) seized pirated goods and assets such as cell phones,
counterfeit medicines, general appliances, and other consumer goods
valued at USD 309,545.00. During the same quarter, UTE received USD
6,800.00 in operational support.

H. Money laundering and financial crimes:
INL funds will support an upgrade of SEPRELAD's existing financial
crime software currently in use, including technical assistance.
SEPRELAD is hoping to have banks linked to the financial crime
software by the second quarter of 2009.

III. TRAINING:

INL Asuncion is planning to send one SENAD SIU unit agent for a five
day seminar in Salta, Argentina from April 27 to May 1. The Seminar
is organized by DEA Argentina and will be focused on "Drug
Information Centers - CID" software use to facilitate the sharing of
information among antidrug law enforcement agencies. INL Asuncion
will be funding travel for a SENAD agent at a total cost of USD
1,900.00.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES:
2009 SENAD First Quarter statistics

Cocaine Seized (kg): 28

Marijuana Seized (kg): 9,453

Marijuana Crops Destroyed (Has): 610

Marijuana Related (TN): 1,831
(Wax, seeds and plants)

Total Arrests: 56


AYALDE