SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS CREATES TASK TEAM TO PROBE SECOND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 000333 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/OTP DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/AN/TERRI ROBL TSA FOR ANTHONY GIOVANNIELLO DAKAR FOR MO KEANE FAA FOR NANCY ANGELO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON KHLS SOCI SNAR SF SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS CREATES TASK TEAM TO PROBE SECOND CREW MEMBER DRUG BUST REF: A. PRETORIA 129, B. PRETORIA 329 This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) Summary. State-controlled South African Airways (SAA) announced the creation of a task team to probe a second drug bust of SAA crew members in London on suspicions of carrying five kilograms of cocaine. Crew members were detained in London and released to South Africa pending further investigation. The task team will review existing security measures and oversee the implementation of additional interventions. South African officials also sought post advice for U.S. best practices to improve air carrier security compliance. This latest drug bust comes at a time when the airline's international reputation is already suffering from mismanagement, financial turmoil, and labor unrest (Reftel B). End Summary. -------------- SECOND DRUG BUST IN TWO MONTHS -------------- ¶2. (U) SAA announced on February 17 that it has formed a special task team aimed at stopping drug trafficking through SAA and any other carriers that operate from South African airports. This follows the second arrest of a SAA crew at Heathrow Airport, in London, on charges of drug trafficking (Reftel A). Fifteen SAA crew members were detained on the SAA crew bus by UK Customs officials for allegedly carrying approximately five kilograms of cocaine in an SAA-labeled corporate bag. A UK Customs spokesperson told the media the estimated street value of the drugs was #250,000 ($358,000),but the value has not been confirmed. ¶3. (U) South African Interpol and National Crime Intelligence spokesperson Senior Superintendent Tummi Golding said the crew would return to South Africa and would be questioned by crime intelligence officers and the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA). ¶4. (U) According to press reports, the second drug bust was almost identical to last month's at the same airport. In that incident, one SAA crew member was arrested in London and a security guard employed by the company contracted by SAA to screen the crew's luggage was arrested in South Africa. Both court cases are pending. -------------- TASKFORCE TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES REQUIRED -------------- ¶5. (U) The new task team is expected to review the measures that were implemented by SAA following the first incident in January and manage the implementation of additional security measures. The team will comprise representatives from SAA, ACSA, South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officials, and the South African Police Service (SAPS). The measures introduced by SAA following the January incident included changing security systems, adding physical searches of bags, and using sniffer dogs airside. These and other measures will now be extended across all SAA international flights. However, press reports are indicating that the sniffer dogs SAA intended to use to screen the crew's luggage after the January incident had only been used once. ¶6. (U) Institute of Security Studies Analyst Prince Mashele told the local media that criminals were using sophisticated methods to evade security points to smuggle drugs in a press interview. "Technology at the airports needed to be continuously upgraded because criminals Qat the airports needed to be continuously upgraded because criminals find ways to out-do law enforcement," noted Mashele. -------------- POST SHARES U.S. BEST PRACTICES -------------- ¶7. (U) SARS officials raised the drug bust incidents during a February 17 meeting with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Attache and Transportation Officer. The SARS officials explained that the issue was being taken seriously by customs and ACSA officials and inquired about best practices in the U.S. to ensure carrier security compliance. CBP Attach explained that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security promoted programs such as the Carrier Initiative Program (CIP) that encouraged carrier compliance by utilizing incentives such as security training instead of relying solely on monetary penalties for non-compliance. Through the CIP, the CBP PRETORIA 00000333 002 OF 002 provides anti-drug smuggling training to air, sea and land commercial transport companies (carriers). The training is directed at employees of air, sea and land commercial carriers. Those carriers with route systems that are high-risk for drug smuggling voluntarily sign agreements with the CBP. ¶8. (U) SARS officials also sought post advice about efforts to improve the interface between customs and enforcement agents. CBP Attache offered to organize a meeting with the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Attache at post to further discuss U.S. best practices. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶9. (SBU) This latest drug bust comes at a time when the state-controlled airline is already facing mismanagement, financial turmoil, and labor unrest. Temporarily-appointed SAA Acting CEO Chris Smyth will have to work with other government stakeholders to ensure that additional security measures are implemented and enforced to redeem the airline's international reputation. The recent arrest of two entire crews might also increase tension between cabin and cockpit crews. LA LIME