BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK

UNCLAS MEXICO 001668 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR, WHA/MEX, AND INL/LP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC SNAR MX SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK ON LICENSE 050134304 REF: STATE 23369 ¶1. (SBU) On 13 May, Poloff conducted a post shipment end-use check phone interview with Antonio Diosdodo Trujillo Municipal Director of the municipality of Zapopan (part of the Guadalajara metropolitan district with a population of over one million inhabitants). The purpose of the interview was to confirm the receipt of 950 level IV ceramic rifle plates and vests and ascertain the bona fides of Benito Dychter, the U.S. consignor for this transaction. During the interview, Poloff confirmed with Antonio Diosdodo Trujillo that the plates and vests had been received and distributed to the police. The Poloff requested the transaction receipt for confirmation of acceptance via fax or email. ¶2. (SBU) On 2 Jun, Poloff conducted a phone interview with Jorge Morales from the Office of Public Security of the municipality of Zapopan and once again confirmed the receipt of 950 level IV ceramic rifle plates and vests. Jorge Morales stated that the Municipality of Zapopan Police Force has 1650 personnel and has sufficient ballistic vests for distribution to all officers as a result of this latest purchase. Poloff once again requested the transaction receipt for the 950 level IV ceramic rifle plates and vests. Additionally Poloff sought information regarding the U.S. consignor Benito Dychter and his relationship with the municipality of Zapopan. Jorge Morales indicated that he would have to forward the request for the transaction receipt to the Municipal Director of the Municipality of Zapopan for compliance. He noted, however, that the transaction was very old and as such it may prove difficult to locate the receipt. Additionally, he remarked he was not part of the transaction therefore was not familiar with the U.S. consignor Benito Dychter. ¶3. (SBU) On 5 Jun, Poloff received a copy of an invoice via fax from the municipality of Zapopan Office of Public Security. The signed and stamped invoice dated 21 January 2009 reflects receipt of 950 level IV ceramic rifle plates and associated vests by a representative of the municipality. The signature is not legible for comparisons with reftel. The invoice also shows the total price of the transaction, $552,900 which includes shipping. The amount is consistent with reftel. The invoice identifies the seller as Nick Taylor, Manager of ArmorUP L.P. dba BulletProofME whose phone number is 512-922-1503 and email is armor@bulletproofme.com, which is also consistent with reftel. ¶4. (SBU) Poloff has not yet been able to obtain information regarding the relationship between the U.S. consignor Benito Dychter and the municipality of Zapopan. At the same time, the two government officials with whom poloff spoke provided consistent information and ultimately the Municipality produced documentation establishing the sale and delivery of the controlled items in question to distributor/end user for this transaction. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / WILLIARD