CONAKRY - ARREST OF EL HADJ MOUSSA CONTE FOR

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