GUATEMALA: BLUE LANTERN PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK,

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000457

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR KYLE M. BALLARD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KMOC GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: BLUE LANTERN PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK,
050154491

REF: STATE 35040


1. (SBU) Summary: In response to reftel, Emboffs researched
the bona fides of the arms import company Armeria el Guerrero
(AG). The research included an on-site inspection of AG, an
interview with the company's owner, and records checks of
both the company and the owner with the Guatemala's Arms and
Municions Control Department (DECAM). As a result of the
investigation, Post recommends approval of reftel license.
End Summary.


2. (SBU) On May 6, Emboffs conducted an on-site inspection
of AG located at 15 Avenida 3-86 Zona 1, Edificio Santa Rita
Local D, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and interviewed the
company's owner, Aldo Eduardo Maselli Gonzalez. Maselli's
responses were detailed and professional. He immediately
presented Emboffs with a complete portfolio of all required
company, commercial licensing and DECAM certifications.
Although a newcomer to the field of weapons selling after
only seven months in business, Maselli's retail store,
weapons storage room, arms and ammunition inventory, and
DECAM books relfected exemplary business practices. AG is
located on the bottom floor of a commercial retail center,
which is owned by Maselli's family, and includes a secure
storefront with visible signage, steel rolling doors that
protect a glass storefront, two sets of security bar doors
inside the front entrance, and a security guard protecting
the inside of the store. The retail area has one long
weapons counter. In the back of the store is a small office
with one desk and a weapons storage room. The weapons
storage room itself is very secure with all of the necessary
protective measures needed including vibrating motion
detectors in the walls and ceiling that are connected to a
24-hour alarm company. The weapons storage room measures 2
1/2 meters on each side and is made of four solid cinder
block walls with one reinforced steel-grated wall. Behind
the weapons storage room is a private home not owned by the
Maselli family.


3. (SBU) According to Maselli, he has been in the arms
industry for only 7 months. He and his wife, Sara Magdalena
Sanchez Gonzalez, are the sole owners of this company, and he
is a lawyer by profession practicing in Guatemala City.
Maselli began this business through a mentorship with one of
his clients, another satisfactory Blue Lantern licensing
recipient, Jose Eduardo Bolanos. Bolanos has guided Maselli
in all aspects on how to operate the business and purchase
weapons. As noted in reftel, Maselli is interested in
selling 50 COBRA Patriot DAO Pistols, .380ACP because he
explained to Emboffs that this weapon is small with no recoil
and easy to carry. Maselli added that this particular weapon
had not previously been sold in Guatemala. (Note: Emboffs
cannot confirm the accuracy of Maselli's claim. End Note.)
Maselli plans to expand his business with a second location
in Guatemala City and provide his customers with weapons that
are not common in other stores. To date, Maselli explained
that most of his sales are local and have been to individuals
who have complied with the detailed DECAM purchasing process.
The 50 COBRA Patriot pistols will be his first U.S. weapons
purchase. Most of his inventory, which is under 50 weapons
in all, have been purchased from Argentina, Mexico, and 80%
of his inventory was purchased from Bolanos who specializes
in weapons manufactured by Smith and Wesson. Maselli
confirmed with Emboffs that he knows the regulations
governing the imports of U.S.-origin defense articles,
including restrictions on re-transfer and re-export.


4. (SBU) AG books and DECAM registries were well maintained,
Q4. (SBU) AG books and DECAM registries were well maintained,
and indicated that while AG does sell some of the weapons to
other arms dealers, the company has sold a small amount of
the weapons to private citizens.


5. (SBU) AG has a satisfactory record with DECAM and has
passed all routine inspections without incident. According
to DECAM's Director, Colonel Hector Del Cid, AG is a
small-scale but well managed weapons store that is operating
within local laws and regulations. Based on the results of
the on-site inspection, interviews and a records check with
DECAM, Post recommends approval of the reftel license.

McFarland