URUGUAY ADVANCES IN COUNTERNARCOTICS EFFORTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MONTEVIDEO 000402 SIPDIS WHA/BSC FOR MARY DASCHBACH INL FOR DEBORAH HOOKER E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL UY SUBJECT: URUGUAY ADVANCES IN COUNTERNARCOTICS EFFORTS REF: MONTEVIDEO 23 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robin H. Matthewman for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (U) Summary. On June 24, Uruguay's Anti-Drug Commission released a National Plan Against Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering, which aims to better coordinate the counternarcotics efforts of the varied agencies involved in fighting organized crime. Uruguay has recently created special tribunals for organized crime, enacted stricter money laundering laws, undertaken refined investigation strategies, established witness protection, and created specialized police units with broadened investigation mechanisms. Those are strong indications that the GOU is taking seriously the development of tools necessary to fight an increasing drug problem. End Summary. -------------- -------------- The National Plan Against Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The GOU Anti-Drug Commission (Junta Nacional de Drogas- JND) announced a four-year National Plan on June 24 to refocus counternarcotics efforts. The plan coordinates state resources and participants, and created a governing body made up of the undersecretaries of the Interior, Defense, Transportation, Foreign Affairs and Economy. The new plan seeks to streamline the government's efforts and minimize duplication of effort. The specialized counternarcotics police taskforce (Direccion Nacional de Represion y Trafico Ilicito de Drogas- DGRTID) will lead the efforts of all of the agencies active in counternarcotics including the Air Force, the Department of Intelligence, the Coast Guard, and Migration. Jurisdiction over criminal activity in ports and airports is also subject to change under the plan. ¶3. (C) Under the structure, the brainchild of Prosecretary Jorge Vazquez, resources dedicated to counternarcotics work will be more formally gathered and distributed through a central body. Historically, the GOU has suffered from a stovepiping effect causing limited cooperation in the area of counternarcotics The new plan codifies cooperation and places Inspector Julio Guarteche, chief of the special counternarcotics police force (DGRTID),at the head of operations. Guarteche is well and favorably known to local U.S. law enforcement officials for his efficiency and honesty. He has long been our principal operational counterpart on counternarcotics. Vazquez is slated to a attend a specialized International Visitor's program in August with two of his closest assistants. The IV Program will include visits to the Joint Interagency Task Force South and investigative and demand reduction projects in Miami, Washington, and New York City. -------------- Supporting Legislation -------------- ¶4. (U) A law passed in December 2008 (Article 414, the rendering of accounts and budget adjustment for 2009) created two tribunals specialized in organized crime (reftel). The tribunals are now fully functional. ¶5. (U) On June 5, Law 18.494 was enacted. Law 18.494 is a comprehensive law that vastly expands the tools available to law enforcement and judicial official in combating organized crime of all sorts: --Money laundering: The first section of the law establishes new regulations on money laundering and defines the crime more specifically to include proceeds related to: genocide, war crimes, terrorism, contraband, arms trafficking, organ and prescription drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, extortion, kidnapping, pimping, fraud, crimes against the state, and illegal trafficking of: nuclear materials, art, animals or toxic materials. --Asset forfeiture: The second section allows for the use or sale of goods seized by the state during narcotics or money laundering operations. Formerly, upon being seized, vehicles and other goods were categorized as evidence, and in most cases judges did not allow for their use after trial. The DGRTID's back yard is filled with over 100 of such heretofore unusable vehicles. --Investigatory tools: The final section expands the types of investigation and prosecution techniques available to police. It legalizes undercover agents and wiretapping. It creates a mechanism whereby police can allow an illegal transaction to take place in order to arrest and prosecute those involved. It allows prosecutors the option of plea bargaining, and it creates a protection program for witnesses and state officials involved in the investigation. -------------- Additional Drug Units -------------- ¶6. (C) In 2009, INL funds supported the opening of a second DGRTID satellite office, this on located in Salto, on the Argentine border. There are now two satellite offices in addition the 130 person-strong Montevideo office. The Salto office has 10 agents and is housed in a former police station on the outskirts of town. INL 2008 funds provided three computers, three computer desks, one printer, and one digital camera. The Salto office works closely with two DGRTID agents in nearby Paysandu to investigate the cases related to trafficking coming over the bridges from Argentina. This includes shipments being brought in cars, as well as mules walking across the bridges or coming via bus. The Salto office currently does not have wiretapping capabilities. ¶7. (C) The other DGRTID satellite office is located in the Department of Rivera, on Uruguay's northern border with Brazil. Despite the fruitful working relationship with their Brazilian colleagues, Uruguay's northern border is largely uncontrolled, and criminals are difficult to track. INL funds helped develop the site in 1998. It is a single family home in a quiet neighborhood and employs 12 agents. INL funds from 2008 provided two new digital cameras, one new computer, and one new printer. The office recently installed wiretapping capabilities, and covers not only the border area, but also vast stretches of the interior of the country. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) The creation of an integrated national plan to combat narcotics and the relevant new legislation will provide significantly expanded capability to fight narcotics trafficking. Naming DGRTID's director, Inspector Guarteche, as the executor of the plan will allow the GOU to expand its emphasis to fighting cocaine traffickers while continuing its work on pasta base demand reduction. During this time of program development, it is likely that Guarteche will look to his U.S. colleagues with DEA for guidance. The DGRTID has also greatly appreciated the boost that modest amounts of INL-provided equipment has given over the years. Embassy Montevideo, working closely with DEA, DHS, and DOD, will continue to provide support and training for GOU efforts to stop any cocaine from transiting the country. End comment. Matthewman