C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000498

SIPDIS

FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ATA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2029
TAGS: ASEC KDEM PGOV PMIL SNAR GV
SUBJECT: CONAKRY - ARREST OF EL HADJ MOUSSA CONTE FOR
NARCOTICS

REF: A. CONAKRY 0430

B. CONAKRY 0438

Classified By: RSO Philip W. NAzelrod for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) The Ministry of Special Services, Anti-Drugs, and
Organized Crimes (Ministry of High Crimes), led by Minister
Moussa Tiegboro Camara, announced the arrest of Elhadj Moussa
Conte on August 20, 2009. Conte, a son of former Guinean
President Lansana Conte, is charged with possession of toxic
chemical substances with the intent to manufacture illegal
narcotics and explosives (reftels).



2. (C) COMMENT: Sources report that Tiegboro,s Ministry
was actively searching for Moussa Conte since the discovery
of the chemicals housed by the Mosmart Company. The Mosmart
Company, owned by Conte, has long been suspected by Tiegboro
of playing a role in Guinea,s narco-trafficking business.
The chemicals found, however, may be consistent with the
production of biofuels which is the very business Mosmart was
set up for. Further, Tiegboro is openly pursuing another of
President Lansana Conte,s sons, Ansou Conte, for
narco-trafficking. While Ansou Conte remains at large,
Moussa Conte joins his brother Ousmane Conte, who was
arrested earlier this year for narco-trafficking, in
Conakry,s Central Prison. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE