Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIMA1174
2009-08-13 20:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lima
Cable title:  

NAS LIMA MONTHLY REPORT FOR JULY

Tags:  SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPE #1174/01 2252014
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 132014Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1050
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 6783
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 8491
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ AUG QUITO 2729
UNCLAS LIMA 001174 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/LP
AND WHA/PPC
ONDCP FOR LT COL RONALD GARNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE
SUBJECT: NAS LIMA MONTHLY REPORT FOR JULY

REF: A. LIMA 810

B. LIMA 1002

UNCLAS LIMA 001174

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/LP
AND WHA/PPC
ONDCP FOR LT COL RONALD GARNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE
SUBJECT: NAS LIMA MONTHLY REPORT FOR JULY

REF: A. LIMA 810

B. LIMA 1002


1. (U) Summary:
- New Minister of Interior and PNP Director
- Eradication Update
- Police Programs Update
- Ports Programs Update
- Aviation Update


New Minister of Interior and PNP Director


2. (U) Following the events in Bagua (Ref A),the
GOP experienced yet another Cabinet shake up (Ref B).
The changes include the appointment of a new Minister
of Interior - Oscar Salazar, retired Peruvian National
Police (PNP) General. Salazar replaced Mercedes
Cabanillas, who had been Minister since February.
Salazar has appointed General Miguel Hidalgo, formerly
head of the Peruvian Anti-Narcotics Police (DIRANDRO),
to the position of PNP Director General.

Eradication Update


3. (U) Eradication continued in July, with the exception
of a three day suspension following the July 25 protests
in La Oroya over the dispute with the Doe Run mining
company. The Ministry of Interior pulled 200 DIRANDRO
personnel from their counter-narcotics duties in Santa
Lucia, Mazamari, and Ayacucho in support of riot control
efforts.


Police Programs Update


4. (U) During the month of July, DIRANDRO reports the
seizure of 223.88 metric tons of precursor chemicals and
9.4 metric tons of illegal drugs and the destruction of
1607 rustic labs and eight HCL labs in the source zone
areas. One case of note is the discovery of an HCL
laboratory in the eradication area of Los Jazmines
resulting in the seizure of HCL, permanganate acid and
other precursor chemicals, however, no arrests were made.
DIRANDRO continues its push into previously unpatrolled
areas of the VRAE through the use of air and off-road
interdiction missions. These new incursions resulted in
the seizure of cocaine paste, chemical precursors,
weapons, grenades, ammunition and 15 arrests.

Ports Programs Update


5. (U) Peruvian Customs at the Jorge Chavez International
Airport (JCIA),International Post Office (SERPOST) and
the Port of Callao in Lima seized 328.04 kg of cocaine
HCL and inspected 445 export containers for narcotics
and contraband.


6. (SBU) The Peruvian Counter-drug District Attorney's
office (Fiscal) recently purchased additional equipment
for customs inspections. In July, the Fiscal purchased
one stationary ionscan and three portable ionscans.
Prior to this purchase, all functioning ionscans were
bought by NAS. The Fiscal also purchased narcotics field
test kits and Customs completed a new site for the
Body X-ray Scanner for the Santa Rosa Station on the
border with Chile.

Aviation Update


7. (U) On July 24 the Acting NAS Director and Deputy
Aviation Advisor met with the Mayors of Palma Pampa and
surrounding areas to discuss the repair of the Palma
Pampa runway. The Peruvian Civil Aviation Authority
(DGAC) plans to remove the runway from its official list
of Peruvian runways if the runway is not brought up to
standards. Up to now, these mayors have been reluctant
to support any improvements o the runway due to
resistance by the local population and the local
narcotrafficking presence. The rnway is critical in
the support for PNP activities in the VRAE and is a
priority for NAS due to the fact that the next closest
useable runway to the VRAE is more than one hour flight
time by helicopter. NAS will send an engineer to survey
the runway to assess viability of DGAC requirements.
MCKINLEY