NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR JUNE 2009

UNCLAS BOGOTA 002380 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR INL/LP AND INL/RM DEPT FOR WHA/AND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO SUBJECT: NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR JUNE 2009 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The aerial eradication team sprayed 14,380 hectares in June and is on schedule to reach the 100,000 hectare goal. Accion Social opened up more area to spray in Tumaco, Narino. Phase II of the manual eradication campaign will end in July and Phase III will start in mid-August; so far this year, 23,492 hectares have been eradicated - well short of the 70,000 annual goal. In June, landmine and hostile fire incidents killed two security personnel, one civilian eradicator and one UN topographer; so far this year, 21 people have been killed in manual eradication operations compared to 26 people killed in all of 2008. PCHP flew 62 hours supporting 15 medical evacuation flights that transported 26 patients. Out of 2,710 air tracks over Colombia, the ABD program did not identify any in June as Unidentified Assumed Suspect. At indigenous consultations in Narino, the GOC and various indigenous communities signed an agreement to allow for aerial and manual eradication in indigenous areas in the northern part of Narino. Compared to the same time period last year, in 2009 the Ministry of Defense's demobilization program saw a decrease of 18 percent in FTO members who chose to demobilize. On June 25-26, the Ministry of Social Protection, UNODC, National Directorate of Dangerous Drugs, and NAS Bogota organized a conference to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, discuss the National Household Drug Consumption Survey's results, and hold panel discussions on the characteristics of different drugs and their use. Mark Lopes, principal staffer to Senator Robert Menendez, visited Colombia June 28 - July 3, and walked away with a better understanding of NAS's "hard side" programs and the CSDI's integrated approach. Senator Menendez may be planning a visit to Colombia in August. END SUMMARY. -------------- AERIAL ERADICATION PROGRAM -------------- ¶2. (SBU) As a result of improved weather and decrease in unscheduled maintenance operations, the aerial eradication team sprayed 14,380 hectares in June, bringing the total for the year to 46,643 and maintaining the program on schedule to reach the 100,000 hectare calendar goal. The eradication aircraft experienced two hostile fire incidents during the month, resulting in three impacts; so far this year, the aircraft experienced twelve hostile fire incidents with twenty impacts, without injuries or loss of life. ¶3. (SBU) The GOC Accion Social (AS) manual eradication program has increased its willingness to coordinate with the NAS Aviation Unit (NAU) aerial eradication program. Accion Social removed the majority of the previously instituted, large no-spray areas in Tumaco, thus increasing hectares that can be sprayed. Macarena's Integral Consolidation Plan leaders (PCIM in its Spanish acronym) requested NAS assistance to spray in southern PCIM where the conditions are too difficult for manual eradication operations. ¶4. (SBU) CNP continues to consider its long term plans regarding follow up of AT-802 Mechanic Training. Colombia National Police (CNP) Air Service Support (ARAVI) agreed to provide to NAU's eradication team a plan outlining their projections for mid and upper level maintenance and supervision. Absences due to promotion schools and vacation plans are interfering with C-208 pilot training; NAS is coordinating with the CNP to maintain minimum crew requirements. -------------- MANUAL ERADICATION PROGRAM -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Phase II of the GOC's 2009 manual eradication campaign (GME program) will end in late July. Total eradication of coca for the month of June was 5,651 hectares - bringing the GME program's year-to-date total to 19,824 hectares. Including eradication carried out by the Colombian security forces, total coca eradication through June was 23,492 hectares, well short of the 70,000 manual eradication goal half-way through the year. Manual eradication operations are ongoing in 12 departments. For Phase III, scheduled to begin in August, the DIRAN - responsible for half of the manual eradication goal - have proposed increasing the number of police units protecting GMEs to increase the pace of eradication. It is unclear if DIRAN will have sufficient resources such as communications and other equipment. ¶6. (SBU) In June, landmine and hostile fire incidents killed two security personnel, one civilian eradicator, and one UN topographer tasked with measuring manual eradication. Through June, 21 people (16 security personnel and five civilians, including the UN topographer) have died during this year's manual eradication operations. In all of 2008, 26 security personnel and civilian eradicators were killed in manual eradication operations. ¶7. (SBU) Separate from the GME program, the Colombian Army (COLAR) and the CNP conducted manual eradication as part of their normal operations. Through June, COLAR has eradicated 2,621 hectares of coca, 44 hectares of poppy, and two hectares of marijuana; the CNP has eradicated 721 hectares of coca, six hectares of poppy, and 44 hectares of marijuana; and the Navy has eradicated 164 hectares of coca. -------------- COLOMBIA NATIONAL POLICE (CNP) AIR SERVICE (ARAVI) SUPPORT -------------- ¶8. (SBU) ARAVI's NAS-supported fleet flew 1,771 mission hours in June. The seven UH-60 Black Hawks closed out the month with 167 flight hours and an Operational Readiness (OR) rate of 58 percent. The damage by enemy fire to one UH-60 will remove it from service for 30 days. The Bell 212 fleet flew 212 mission hours with an OR rate of 57 percent. One Bell 212 has yet to be inducted to the Service Life Extension Program/Rewire. The Huey II flew 894 hours with a 74 percent OR rate. Four Huey II aircraft, or twelve percent of the fleet, are currently undergoing depot maintenance repair for structural faults. The DC-3 fleet flew 176 hours in June, with an OR rate of 44 percent. Two DC-3s are undergoing a 2,000-hour inspection. ARAVI expects that the last C-26 Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Aerial Platform (ISRAP) PNC 0224 will arrive in July. -------------- PLAN COLOMBIA HELICOPTER PROGRAM (PCHP) -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The PCHP aircraft, operating from Tumaco, San Jose, and Tolemaida, flew a total of 712 hours providing air assaults, air movements, reconnaissance, medical evacuations, and support missions for aerial eradication operations, the Counter Drug (CD) Brigade, and other vetted COLAR units. PCHP supported the capture of High Value Targets (HVTs) in the Vichada department and a destruction of gasoline refinery and HCl laboratories in the Narino department. ¶10. (SBU) PCHP flew 62 hours supporting 15 medical evacuation flights that transported 26 patients. PCHP helicopters provided aerial transport and security escort support for the STAFDEL Long visit to the Narino department, and also supported three Chief of Mission HVT Joint Task Force operations. COMMENT: This record number of joint operations reflects an increasing effectiveness of Colombian intelligence and combined arms forces' projection capabilities. END COMMENT. ¶11. (SBU) During June, PCHP provided UH-60 and UH-II aircrew continuation/mission and aircraft qualification training. Two COLAR pilots and four standardization gunner instructors received certification in the advanced crew qualification positions of Standardization Instructor Pilot and Standardization Maintenance Test Pilot. -------------- INTERDICTION -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Out of 2,710 air tracks over Colombia, the Air Bridge Denial (ABD) program did not identify any as Unidentified Assumed Suspect (UAS) in June. Only 17 UAS have been identified during the first half of this year, compared to 28 for the same time period last year. The ABD inspectors searched an aircraft in Popayan that had filed a legal flight plan, but was found to contain 784 kilograms (kgs) of cocaine. The GOC arrested both pilots and impounded the aircraft. In collaboration with regional counterparts, ABD passed information on four visually identified aircraft to the Central American Authorities; one of the identified aircraft crashed in Honduras attempting to land at night, and the crew burned another aircraft after landing, escaping capture when the Honduran Police started closing in on them. ABD's training in preparation for nationalization proceeded smoothly and maintenance training reached the 75 percent June 30 target. ¶13. (SBU) The CNP seized 11.5 metric tons of cocaine hydrochloride (HCl) and cocaine base, 20.7 metric tons of coca leaf, 13 metric tons of marijuana, and five kgs of heroin. The CNP also destroyed 10 cocaine HCl and 110 coca base laboratories, and captured 494 metric tons of precursor chemicals. ¶14. (SBU) On June 6, DIRAN (CNP's Antinarcotics Directorate) Tulua Junglas (CNP Airmobile Commandos),using two UH60s and two UH-IIs, destroyed a cocaine HCl laboratory located in a mangrove swamp in Choco Department. On June 10, the DIRAN Chemical Group captured 13 members of a precursor chemical trafficking organization, five vehicles, and 12 metric tons of precursor chemicals in Cali. Also on June 10, at a routine vehicle checkpoint near Ipiales, DIRAN found 3.5 kgs of heroin taped to the abdomens of two women passengers. On June 11, the Tulua Junglas destroyed an HCl laboratory located near Huisito, Cauca (35 miles west of Popayan). On June 16, DIRAN Zone Five (Northeast Colombia) captured 3.3 metric tons of marijuana hidden in a cache site near Cucuta, Norte de Santander. On June 18, DIRAN, in conjunction with the DEA and OFAC, captured 13 members of Fabio Ochoa's international money laundering organization. ¶15. (SBU) On June 21, the Tulua Junglas, using two UH60s and one UH-II, supported a CNP-directed High Value Target (HVT) operation against the FARC's Manuel Cepeda Vargas Front, headquartered in Timba, Cauca (30 miles West of Cali). The Colombian Air Force initiated the attack, but bad weather prevented the follow-on Jungla airmobile assault from reaching the objective. The CNP then moved an EMCAR squadron by road/foot to the area. The EMCAR captured four FARC AK47s. As the EMCAR returned to base, they were ambushed by the FARC and incurred seven deaths and two injuries. Intelligence reports reflect that the initial COLAF bombing may have killed the FARC Front Commander alias "El Enano" and 24 FARC combatants. ¶16. (SBU) On June 22, the DIRAN Chemical Group seized a truck carrying 2.5 tons of precursor chemicals near Puerto Lopez, Meta. On June 26, the DIRAN Special Investigation Unit captured 13 members of an international narcotrafficking organization, making simultaneous arrests in Bogota, Pasto, Villavicencio, and Cucuta. On June 26, the DIRAN Chemical Group captured five tons of precursor chemicals (thinner and alcohol) at a road checkpoint near Barranquilla. Also on June 26, the DIRAN, in coordination with the Colombian Air Force, captured a Piper aircraft at the Popayan airport transporting 784 kgs of cocaine. On June 29, near the Gulf of Uraba in Northern Colombia, the newly formed DIRAN Zone Six (Northwest Colombia) captured a Mexican and a Honduran who were transporting 1.8 tons of cocaine on a "go-fast" boat. ¶17. (SBU) The 18-week Jungla International Course graduated 106 students on June 4. The course included 57 Colombian students and 49 foreign students from 12 Latin American countries (Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil). On June 5, a DIRAN DC3 flew the 22 Panama Border Police students back to Panama, where they will form their new Jungla Commando unit deployed to the Darien. The next Jungla Commando Course will take place July 27-December 3. The CNP anticipate that 70 Colombian students and 70 international students (from 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries) will attend. This group will also include a second 25-man contingent from the Panama Border Police. The US Army 7th Special Forces Group (SFG) "Pequenas Unidades" course, focused on reconnaissance, military mountaineering, and 60mm mortar training, graduated 45 students. On June 8-12, the 7th SFG taught the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) approved "Fast Rope Master" course to twenty students from the three Jungla Airmobile Companies. On June 26, 40 students graduated from the Explosives and Demolitions Course, including a Panamanian and a Peruvian student. DIRAN courses currently underway at the Antinarcotics Police Training Center in Pijaos, Tolima include the 23-week Combat Medic Course (40 students) and the 15-week Jungla Instructor Course (12 students). -------------- MARITIME INTERDICTION -------------- ¶18. (SBU) Cartagena-based Naval Intelligence Group (GRUIN in its Spanish acronym) seized 530 kgs of cocaine, and captured six members of "los Paisas" criminal organization, one AK-47, one 9mm pistol, two 38mm revolvers, and two motorcycles in the vicinity of Magangue, Bolivar. The Colombian Coast Guard captured seven individuals and seized 106 kgs of cocaine that were hidden inside a hull of fishing vessels. -------------- BASE SECURITY/ROAD INTERDICTION/ NVD PROGRAM -------------- ¶19. (SBU) The Bastion Wall contract for the project at San Jose de Guaviare to install three two-story bunker facilities was completed. The La Julia project to reinforce the Police base attacked in May continued despite the constant pressure of FARC elements in the area. The Miraflores Phase I project begun in March was completed; phase II of the project will begin in mid-July. The Tierradentro project begun in May was also completed. Projects in Piedras Blancas and Belen de Bajira are slated to begin in mid-July. ¶20. (SBU) Night Vision Device (NVD) advisor and GOC counterparts inspected 52 of 75 mine detectors to be used in manual eradication operations and will shortly inspect the remainder. -------------- COMMUNICATIONS/WEAPONS -------------- ¶21. (SBU) DIRAN radio teams deployed to the antinarcotics bases and sea ports in Santa Marta and San Jose de Guaviare, and to Barranquilla's port to conduct single channel radio training and conduct preventive maintenance on radios and computers. DIRAN radio teams fixed the Motorola repeater in Puerto Estrella, enabling the forward operating base to communicate with its headquarters in Santa Marta via radio. ¶22. (SBU) DIRAN Data team supported the installation of the first body scan in Cartagena's international airport. Telematica PNC donated 60 Motorola radios and two Quantar repeaters in support of the CSDI program in Montes de Maria. Carabineros Directorate (DICAR) communication teams conducted training and took inventories in Atlantico, Caqueta, Tolima, Casanare, and Boyaca departments. -------------- PORT SECURITY PROGRAM (PSP) -------------- ¶23. (SBU) In May, DIRAN's Ports and Airports Area (ARPAE) unit seized 38 kgs of cocaine (bulk weight),42 kgs of cocaine (net weight),and arrested two people at the Port of Uraba. At the airport in Rionegro, ARPAE seized 11.3 kgs of cocaine (bulk weight) and 0.5 kgs of cocaine (net weight),USD 2,700 non-declared, and arrested three people. At the airport in Barranquilla, ARPAE seized 2.8 kgs of heroin and USD 2,800 non-declared. At the airport in Cali - ARPAE seized 6.2 kgs of cocaine; at the airport of Bogota - 210.6 kgs of cocaine (bulk weight),12 kgs of marijuana, 7.2 kgs of heroin, 100 fake Euros, fabricated USD 20,000, 47,850 non-declared euros and USD 6,300 non-declared. Based on information provided by DIRAN, Mexican authorities seized 512 kgs of cocaine at the Port of Manzanillo. Canine Units participated in the Cartagena, Bogota and Uraba port seizures. ¶24. (SBU) The DIRAN polygraph unit conducted polygraph exams on 54 members of the DIRAN's Interdiction, Aviation and Ports and Airports Units, as well as on the CNP's Antikidnapping Unit. 36 of those tested passed the exam, 11 failed, and seven had inconclusive results. After a quality control review, ICE Polygraph Chief asked for some of the DIRAN's Polygraph Unit personnel to be re-tested. -------------- ENVIRONMENTAL -------------- ¶25. (SBU) During the week of June 16, NAS, the CNP and other GOC members traveled to Tumaco, Narino to conduct indigenous consultations that had originally started in September 2007 and were delayed due to internal GOC issues. At the consultations, GOC and various indigenous communities signed an agreement to allow for eradication in the northern part of Narino. The next set of consultations is scheduled for July 28-29 in Meta. ¶26. (SBU) In June, the interagency complaints committee received 157 new claims of alleged spray damage to legal crops; the committee closed 85 cases. As of June 30, NAS has compensated a total of 144 complainants for approximately USD 626,556. The complaints committee visited nine sites in Tumaco that alleged that spray had damaged their legal crops; out of the nine complaints received, four will be compensated. The committee also paid four USAID complaints. -------------- INDIVIDUAL DEMOBILIZATION PROGRAM -------------- ¶27. (SBU) The Ministry of Defense's (MOD) demobilization program received more than 1,425 individuals through June 30 - a decrease of approximately 18 percent compared to the first half of 2008. Program leadership began a focus group to identify areas for improvement in an attempt to jump start desertion rates. While FARC demobilization rates were down, the National Liberation Army's (ELN in its Spanish acronym) rates increased due in part to a targeted communications strategy. Large budget shortfalls have been mostly overcome, allowing the MOD to execute contracts with commercial radio stations communicating the demobilization message deep into the countryside. The MOD has re-initiated payments for information and re-invigorated efforts towards providing psychological assistance and preventing illegal recruitment. ¶28. (SBU) More than 60 percent of the demobilized state that their motivations for desertion are abuse by their commanders or pressure from military operations, while the rest seek a new way of life or a different ideological formation. Information provided by demobilized members of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) is one of the best sources of intelligence available to security forces. -------------- DRUG DEMAND PREVENTION -------------- ¶29. (SBU) On June 25-26, the Ministry of Social Protection, UNODC, National Directorate of Dangerous Drugs, and NAS Bogota organized a day-and-a-half conference to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, discuss the National Household Drug Consumption Survey's results, and hold panel discussions on the characteristics of different drugs and their use. More than 300 academics, police officers, local government leaders, and NGO members from some 27 departments attended. The most poignant discussions took place regarding the perceived increase in the use of synthetic drugs. On June 27 in Barranquilla, DCM Nichols observed the "Lions Quest" ("Leones Educando") program in a school for hearing-impaired children (Leones works in two such schools in Colombia). NAS Bogota and INL finalized the grant process for "Leones Educando," awarding the NGO USD 100,000. -------------- STAFDEL LOPES -------------- ¶30. (SBU) Mark Lopes, principal staffer to Senator Robert Menendez, visited Colombia June 28 - July 3, and walked away with a better understanding of NAS programs and the CSDI's integrated approach. In Tumaco, Mr. Lopes received briefings on aviation assets, equipment and nationalization issues, and visited a manual eradication operation. The Mayor of Tumaco, Neftali Correa, complained to Mr. Lopes about alleged spray of legal crops, however, the local police commander, Col. Ordonez, gave a different perspective. In Pijaos, Mr. Lopes observed a jungle live-fire operation and had a substantive discussion with the CNP and NAS Jungla advisors on Colombian Army (COLAR) and CNP roles. Mr. Lopes talked to demobilized members of the FARC and ELN, and met with Gen. Patino and MOD Special Projects Advisor Ponton. UNODC representative Aldo Lale-Demoz briefed Mr. Lopes on the progress of counternarcotics efforts in Colombia. Mr. Lopes was also briefed in and out of the Embassy on human rights issues. Senator Menendez may be planning a visit to Colombia in August. BROWNFIELD