UPDATE ON PLANE LANDING: CONTINUED DETENTION

S E C R E T FREETOWN 000328

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)
JUSTICE FOR DEA/OS/OSE (MCMANAMON)
BRUSSELS FOR DOJ/DEA (SCARANTINO)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2019
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PREL PBTS SNAR EG UK SL
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PLANE LANDING: CONTINUED DETENTION

REF: FREETOWN 327

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (S) Summary: Embassy learned at 1930 GMT on August 20 that
the eight detained individuals connected to the reftel plane
were released by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) following
brief interviews. However, the individuals were then
re-detained at 1000 GMT at the orders of the Vice President,
and continue to be in detention on August 21. Sources
informed post that they have information connecting the
individuals to the Horseshoe Fishing Company, which is
involved in narco-trafficking. It is unclear how long the two
Americans, three Brits, and three Egyptians might be
detained. End Summary.


2. (S) Poloff received a call from a high-level intelligence
contact on August 20, informing her that the individuals had
been released from detention. He said that the SLP, which did
not have authority to release the individuals, were bribed.
In a meeting on August 21, source told DCM that the Vice
President "hit the roof" and insisted that the eight people
be re-detained. As noted reftel, the individuals appear to be
connected to the Horseshoe Fishing Company, which has been
under surveillance by Sierra Leonean intelligence for some
time. Source told DCM that the Egyptian company came into
Sierra Leone 4 years ago, intending to register seven fishing
boats. However, no boats have been registered and
intelligence indicates that they are moving narcotics through
the Lungi Airport.


3. (S) Consular officers are currently visiting the detained
American pilots. According to information provided by their
family members to the Operations Center, they work for the
UK-based MK Airlines. The family members also reported that
they had been taken by "unknown forces" and "held against
their wills." Embassy information indicates that they have
been lawfully detained, but have not yet been formally
arrested.


4. (S) Comment: With the involvement of the Executive Branch,
no chances are being taken that this plane and its passengers
will "disappear" with the help of bribed low- and mid-level
authorities. Post continues to gather information and assist
as it can (Note: Sierra Leonean security contacts were
grateful for the information provided by the DEA on the
plane. End Note). It is well within the realm of possibility
that the contracted airline and crew have no knowledge of
potential criminal wrongdoing by their clients. End Comment.
PERRY