LIMA NAS END OF MONTH REPORT FEBRUARY

UNCLAS LIMA 000417 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/LP AND WHAT/PPC ONDCP FOR LTCOL RONALD GARMEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE SUBJECT: LIMA NAS END OF MONTH REPORT FEBRUARY ¶1. (U) Summary: -- Eradication Report -- Maritime/Ports Program Report -- Aviation Report -- Police Programs Report Eradication Report ¶2. (U) Having begun February 12, by the end of the month CORAH eradicated 321.87 hectares of coca even though one third of operating days were partially or entirely lost due to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, eradication operations began in a historically dangerous zone previously filled with mines and booby traps, therefore, extra security precautions were taken. The eradication program kicked off the year with the removal of 188.80 hectares from fields in San Martin previously eradicated in 2007; all of the coca was less than two years old. The plans for March are to continue in San Martin and work south into Huanuco. Maritime/Ports Program Report ¶3. (U) During the month of February, 562 kg of cocaine HCL and 100 kg of cocaine base was seized at the international airport, the Peruvian Postal System (SERPOST),and during various raids throughout the country. Additional seizures include two metric tons of acetone, weapons, radios, and other precursor chemicals. ¶4. (U) Cases of note: The destruction of a clandestine cocaine laboratory by the PNP Chemical Unit resulted in the arrest of seven individuals, and the seizure of two metric tons of acetone, 100 kg of cocaine base, a radio, two semiautomatic handguns, 20 gallons of alcohol and 20 gallons of hydrochloric acid; the seizure of 248 kg of cocaine HCL in a shipment of fruit bound for Jordan; and the seizure of 116 kg of cocaine HCL hidden in a cargo truck departing from Tingo Maria, resulting in the arrest of the driver and the seizure of the vehicle. Aviation Report ¶5. (U) After the ambush of a Peruvian marine unit in the VRAE, NAS UH-IIs were placed on standby to assist in the medical evacuation of the wounded, however, the UH-IIs were not called upon to make the flights. ¶6. (U) US Ambassador visited the NAS Main Operating Base at Pucallpa and the facilities at Tingo Maria. He was accompanied by the NAS Director, Senior Aviation Advisor, DIRANDRO General Hidalgo, Air Police Commander General Guibert, the NAS Police Project manager, and other police officials. ¶7. (U) INL/A Aviation Safety Officer, Don Campbell, visited Lima for an orientation visit and general review of aviation safety and procedures. Overall, feedback was favorable with a few areas for improvement on the part of the Peruvian institutions. Police Programs Report ¶8. (U) During the month of February, 132 rustic laboratories were destroyed in the VRAE and one metric ton of chemical precursors seized. In the Huallaga, DIRANDRO completed 150 security missions in support of eradication destroying three rustic laboratories in the process. In total, DIRANDRO destroyed 206 rustic laboratories, seizing 5.5 metric tons of chemical precursors and 1.9 metric tons of drugs. Cases of note include the seizure of one metric ton of HCL cocaine during a routine highway patrol stop by the Huanuco Interdiction Unit. CODEL Lowey ¶9. As the control for the Congressional Delegation lead by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, NAS was able to showcase the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions (CAC) and the ITC. The Lowey delegation, made up of five members, spouses and staff, visited one of the eleven CACs located in Lima. The delegation met with the District Mayor, the members of the Coalition, and various other community representatives. During the CODEL's visit to Tarapoto, CODEL Lowey visited the ITC operations and labs and an Alternative Development site. MCKINLEY