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International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1999
Released by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC, March 2000
USG ASSISTANCE DoS (INL) Budget by Region
FY 1999 - FY 2001
($000)
FY 1999 Actual
FY 1999 Em. Supp.1
FY 2000 Estimate
FY 2001 Request
Narcotics Programs
Country Programs
Latin America
Bahamas
1,000
1,000
1,200
Bolivia
40,000
14,000
48,000
52,000
Brazil
1,200
1,500
2,000
Colombia
32,700
173,160
50,000
35,000
Ecuador
1,200
1,200
2,200
Guatemala
3,000
3,000
3,000
Jamaica
800
800
1,200
Mexico
8,000
10,000
10,000
Peru
42,600
31,940
48,000
48,000
Venezuela
700
700
1,200
Latin America Regional
11,000
13,500
9,000
9,500
Subtotal for Latin America
142,200
232,600
173,200
165,300
Asia/Africa/Middle East
Laos
3,700
4,000
4,200
Pakistan
2,200
2,500
3,500
Thailand
2,700
3,000
3,000
Turkey
500
500
500
Asia/Africa/ME Regional
2,800
5,341
3,000
Subtotal for Asia/Africa/ME
11,900
15,341
14,200
Interregional Aviation Support
51,000
50,000
50,000
Total Country Programs
205,100
232,600
238,541
229,500
Herbicide Research
-
23,000
-
-
International Organizations
9,200
12,000
12,000
Law Enforcement Training and Demand Reduction
8,000
9,000
10,000
Systems Support/Upgrades
2,500
5,000
4,000
PD&S
8,800
9,300
11,500
Total Narcotics Programs
233,600
255,600
273,841
267,000
1 The Congress provided $255.6 million in Emergency Supplemental funding in FY 1999.
DoS (INL) Budget by Function
FY 1999 - FY 2001
($000)
FY 1999 Actual
% of Total
FY 2000 Estimate
% of Total
FY 2001 Request
% of Total
Narcotics Programs
Law Enforcement Assistance and Institution Development
297,036
60.7
96,031
35.1
93,215
34.9
Alternative Develop/ Eradication
149,815
30.6
126,535
46.2
118,280
44.3
International Organizations
9,200
1.9
12,000
4.4
12,000
4.5
Drug Awareness/Demand Reduction
6,075
1.2
10,105
3.7
9,605
3.6
Law Enforcement Training
6,200
1.3
6,500
2.4
7,850
2.9
Program Development and Support
20,874
4.3
22,670
8.3
26,050
9.8
Total Narcotics Programs1
489,200
273,841
267,000
1 FY 1999 regular INC appropriation was $233.6 million. Congress added an Emergency Supplemental amount of $255.6 to make a total of $489.2.
International Training
International counternarcotics training is managed/funded by INL and carried out by the DEA, U.S. Customs Service, and U.S. Coast Guard. Major objectives are:
Over 4,341 persons participated in the United States Government's international narcotics control training program in FY 1999.
- Contributing to the basic infrastructure for carrying out counternarcotics law enforcement activities in countries which cooperate with and are considered significant to U.S. narcotics control efforts;
- Improving technical skills of drug law enforcement personnel in these countries; and
- Increasing cooperation between U.S. and foreign law enforcement officials.
INL training continues to focus on encouraging foreign law enforcement agency self-sufficiency through infrastructure development. The effectiveness of our counternarcotics efforts overseas should be viewed in terms of what has been done to bring about the establishment of effective host country enforcement institutions, thereby taking drugs out of circulation before they begin their journey toward the United States. U.S. law enforcement personnel stationed overseas are increasingly coming to see their prime responsibility as promoting the creation of host government systems that are compatible with and serve the same broad goals as ours.
During FY 1999, law enforcement training continued to devote increased attention to the development and support of infrastructure building in those countries which posed the greatest threat to the U.S. as a result of their role as source or transit countries for narcotics destined for the United States. INL received positive feedback both from U.S. Embassies and foreign governments on the direct benefits gained from this training, including the discovery of illegal narcotics as a result of techniques learned during a program.
INL funding has also been provided for the establishment and operation of International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA's) in Budapest and Bangkok. The regional training provided at the ILEA's consists of both general law enforcement training as well as specialized training for mid-level managers in police and other law enforcement agencies. Over 2500 officials from 25 countries have received training in Budapest and over 600 officials from 10 countries have received training in Bangkok. It is anticipated that additional ILEA's will be established in the Western Hemisphere and Africa.
INL-funded training will continue to support the major U.S. and international strategies for combating narcotics trafficking worldwide. Emphasis will be placed on contributing to the activities of international organizations, such as the UNDCP and the OAS. Through the meetings of major donors, the Dublin Group, UNDCP and other international fora, we will coordinate with other providers of training, and urge them to shoulder greater responsibility in providing training, which serves their particular strategic interests.
INL will maintain its role of coordinating the activities of U.S. law enforcement agencies in response to requests for assistance from U.S. Embassies. This will avoid duplication of effort and ensure that presentations represent the full range of USG policies and procedures.
Training Statistics
Number of Participants
Number of Programs
Drug Enforcement Administration
Training in U.S.
"Vetted" Training
157
5
Training in Host Countries
In-Country Drug Enforcement Seminar
204
5
Advanced Drug Enforcement Seminar
74
2
Int'l Asset Forfeiture Seminar
126
4
Airport Operations
35
1
Specialized
185
6
Joint Secret Service
72
1
ILEA
365
8
Financial
80
2
Subtotal
1,298
34
U.S. Customs Service
Training in U.S.
International Visitors Program
368
101
Training in Host Countries
Carrier Initiative Program/Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition
630
10
Overseas Enforcement Training
168
6
Train-the-Trainer Workshop
29
2
Regional Overseas Enforcement Training
96
3
Regional Train-the-Trainer
12
1
Short Term Advisories
110
11
Contraband Enforcement Team
78
3
Integrity/Anti-corruption
83
3
Intelligence Training
70
2
Seized Property Handling
24
1
Subtotal
1668
143
U.S. Coast Guard
Training in Host Countries
Maritime Law Enforcement
772
45
Port Security and Safety Course
168
12
Search and Rescue
35
2
Long Term Training
400
20
Subtotal
1,375
79
Total INL-Funded Training FY 1999
4,341
256
Drug Enforcement Administration
The preeminent responsibility of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to reduce and ultimately minimize the impact posed to our nation by illicit drugs. All cocaine and heroin, as well as some marijuana and other dangerous drugs, are produced outside the U.S. These illicit drugs are smuggled from countries of their source, usually through other countries, into the U.S. Therefore, the reduction of illicit drug availability in the U.S. requires a strong international counternarcotics strategy. In cooperation and coordination with other nations, as well as with other U.S. agencies, DEA strives to concurrently suppress illicit drug production; disrupt the availability of these drugs in the distribution chain; arrest and prosecute those involved in any aspect of illegal drug trafficking; and seize their profits and assets. The primary contribution of DEA in implementing our international counter narcotics strategy is accomplished through the 77 offices that DEA maintains in 56 countries worldwide. The DEA overseas mission is fivefold:
(1) Conduct bilateral investigative activities,
(2) Coordinate intelligence gathering,
(3) Engage in foreign liaison,
(4) Coordinate training programs for host country police agencies, and
(5) Assist in the development of host country counternarcotics law enforcement institutions.In most countries where DEA maintains offices, DEA carries out all of the above functions. The emphasis on each function is determined by the conditions existing in the host nation. For example, in some countries where the drug enforcement system is advanced, a DEA Country Office may limit its role to selected activities instead of the full range of programs. The following sections provide a few examples of the assistance DEA provided during 1999 to host nation counterparts in support of the five function areas.
(1) Bilateral Investigations
DEA Country Offices work with elements of the host nation law enforcement agencies to investigate activities of drug traffickers that lead to indictments and prosecutions in either the host country, the U.S., or a third country. Whenever appropriate and feasible, DEA shares intelligence information on major traffickers operating in host countries with foreign counterparts to enhance their investigative knowledge. The examples that follow illustrate DEA's?role in bilateral investigations.
The Bogota, Colombia Country Office, in conjunction with the Colombian National Police (CNP) and the Colombian Office of the Prosecutor General (Fiscalia) cooperated in Operation Millennium, a long term, complex investigation targeting the inner workings of a consortium of several of the largest drug trafficking organizations operating in Colombia today. The combined effort focused on the drug trafficking activities of major Linear Approach target Alejandro Bernal-Madrigal and his closest associates, including such notable traffickers as Fabio Ocho-Vasquez, Diego Montoya-Sanchez (Linear Approach Target), Alfredo Tascon, Bernardo Sanchez, and Orlando Sanchez-Cristancho. Bernal-Madrigal and his drug trafficking associates were identified in the course of this investigation as being responsible for coordinating and transporting between 20 and 30 metric tons of cocaine per month from Colombia to the U.S. via Mexico, primarily in maritime containerized cargo. In exchange, this criminal association generated upwards of $60-$100 million dollars in illicit proceeds, frequently bulk shipped via Mexico back to Colombia. This investigation has already resulted in the arrest of 47 suspects, the seizure of 13.7 metric tons of cocaine, over $500,000 in U.S. currency, and the identification of an additional 40 to 50 suspects operating in Colombia and elsewhere.
In September 1999, the DEA announced the conclusion of "Operation Impunity," which targeted a large scale Reynosa, Mexico, based polydrug trafficking/smuggling group with numerous cells throughout the U.S. and associates linked to the Carrillo-Fuentes Organization. This operation resulted in the arrest of Gilberto Salinas-Doria, one of the principal Mexico-based importation command and control targets of this organization. Also arrested was Jaime Aguilar-Gastellum, a principal supervisory member of this organization and a known coordinator of drug shipments for both the Juarez Cartel and the Jorge Caro-Quintero Organization. Both Salinas-Doria and Agular-Gastellum remain in the custody of the Government of Mexico, and U.S. officials are awaiting their formal extradition from Mexico.
The Hague, Netherlands Country Office, in conjunction with the New York Field Division, assisted Dutch and Israeli authorities in dismantling a major international MDMA trafficking organization with direct links to the U.S. This two-year, worldwide investigation culminated in the arrest of forty-nine individuals in the Netherlands, Israel, and other countries, and the seizure of approximately one million MDMA tablets. An estimated one million dollars in various foreign currencies and approximately five kilograms of semtex (a powerful explosive) were seized, and a clandestine laboratory utilized by this organization was dismantled. Intelligence information indicates that this laboratory, run by Dutch nationals, produced over 5,000,000 tablets of MDMA distributed in Europe and the U.S. This investigation included close coordination of information between DEA foreign and domestic offices and foreign law enforcement agencies in Belgium, Germany, France, Canada, and Australia.
DEA offices in Thailand worked closely with the Royal Thai Police, Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and members of Thailand's Sensitive Investigative Units to disrupt and dismantle heroin and methamphetamine trafficking activities orchestrated by a well documented heroin trafficker. The primary source of supply for this organization is the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Burma. This organization smuggles narcotics shipments from Burma into Thailand, after which they are transported to distributors in Canada and the U.S. Noteworthy investigations mounted by Thai authorities and DEA-trained Sensitive Investigative Units in northern Thailand included seizures of millions of methamphetamine tablets, hundreds of kilograms of heroin and precursor chemicals, various amounts and types of assets, and two surface-to-air missiles.
DEA in Ottawa, Canada worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Vancouver on a joint investigation that involved an organization responsible for the transportation of multi-hundred kilogram units of South East Asian heroin into Canada and, ultimately, into the U.S. Seizures from the investigation included three units of heroin captured on an ocean-going vessel off the coast of Puerto Rico, seven units seized at Toronto Pearson International Airport, 61 units in Vancouver, and five units in New York. The 76 units convert to 53.2 kilograms of heroin.
The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Country Office assisted host country counterparts in the investigation of Jesus Pascual Cabrera-Ruiz, the head of a Dominican organization responsible for transporting multi-ton quantities of cocaine to Puerto Rico and New York. As a result of this investigation, Cabrera-Ruiz was arrested and approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and 1.4 million dollars were seized.
In March 1999, the Vientiane, Laos Country Office shared information with their counterparts about a major increase in the amount of opium being seized in the U.S. from mail parcels originating from Laos. Upon determining the internal procedures used by Lao postal authorities for mailing international parcels, a mail interdiction program was subsequently developed. This is the first active bilateral investigation conducted by the Vientiane Country Office since opening in August 1998.
During 1999, the Panama Country Office (PCO) worked closely with the Policia Tecnica (PTJ), leading to seizures of 385 kilograms of cocaine, 600 liters of Acetic Anhydride, and a number of heroin seizures. PCO personnel assigned to the Tocumen Airport successfully seized in excess of 2 million dollars in U.S. currency concealed within airfreight arriving from Mexico and other countries.
Based on information provided by the Madrid, Spain Country Office and the Long Island Field Division, the Spanish National Police (SNP) arrested four Peruvian citizens who were part of a drug trafficking organization based in Peru. The four defendants were involved in the delivery of approximately 60 kilograms of cocaine to a SNP undercover agent. This was Spain's first legally authorized undercover investigation. As a result of the investigation, two individuals were also arrested in Long Island.
The Caracas, Venezuela Country Office and Venezuelan law enforcement authorities initiated an aggressive program to address the increasing diversion of essential and precursor chemicals transiting Venezuela en-route to cocaine processing laboratories in Colombia. This investigation led to the seizure of over 112 metric tons of Potassium Permanganate and the arrest of four active police/military officials who previously had regulatory and/or enforcement authority of chemicals.
The Istanbul, Turkey Resident Office, in coordination with local authorities, ascertained that 1,500 grams of heroin seized in Turkmenistan was destined for Dallas, Texas. A controlled delivery to Dallas was arranged and the subject was arrested and detained without bond in Texas. Although the amount of narcotics seized was not particularly large, this case illustrates the growing role that the Newly Independent States (NIS) play in the global trafficking of drugs and also the cooperation of NIS law enforcement authorities with DEA.
The Curacao, Netherlands Antilles Country Office assisted counterparts in Suriname in an investigation that involved the exchange of weapons for drugs between Colombia and Suriname drug traffickers. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 67 kilograms of cocaine and the arrests of two Colombians and three Surinamese.
The Port-Au-Prince, Haiti Country Office and the Haitian National Police's Special Narcotics Unit participated in a regional counter drug operation that resulted in the seizure of 275 kilograms of cocaine, a two million dollar house, and $41,910 in U.S. currency.
DEA in Santiago, Chile, in cooperation with Chilean police officials, dismantled a Nigerian trafficking organization operating from a recently established base of operations in Chile. The organization was known to ship cocaine impregnated within clothing through the use of express postal services and maritime shipping containers. Two Nigerian nationals, principal members of the organization, were arrested, and 10 kilograms of cocaine were seized.
A coordinated effort between DEA in Honduras and Nicaragua and host country counterparts resulted in the arrest of Honduran Army Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Leyva-Cabrera and four others, as Leyva-Cabrera crossed into Nicaragua from El Salvador. Leyba-Cabrera and the other Honduran defendants were deported to Honduras, where they remain in custody. Leyva-Cabrera had been charged with complicity in kidnapping and murder to retrieve $240,000 (U.S. currency) in drug proceeds
(2) Coordinate Intelligence Gathering
DEA coordinates intelligence worldwide on the cultivation and manufacture of illicit substances, the sale of precursor chemicals for making illicit drugs, and the transportation routes of these drugs into the U.S. The following activities demonstrate the breadth of DEA involvement worldwide.
The Athens, Greece Country Office spearheaded a multi-agency, multi-national investigation of a cocaine transportation organization operating worldwide. Intelligence gathering led to the seizure of approximately 14.2 million dollars, the largest amount of drug money Greek authorities have ever confiscated. It is estimated that this organization delivered at least 50 metric tons of cocaine to ports along the Southern United States, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Italy. To date there have been five Colombians arrested, with extradition to the U.S. requested. There have also been 36 defendants in Greece, Colombia, Miami, and Galveston arrested. Moreover, in excess of 5.6 million dollars in cash, 13 tons of cocaine, and three cargo vessels have been seized. This was Greek law enforcement's first major asset seizure utilizing their new money laundering statute and was also the first time that Greek authorities were able to obtain a legal Title III intercept. DEA and the Greek police were assisted by numerous U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies in this investigation, known as Operation Atlantico.
During 1999, the Guatemala City Country Office (GCCO) received intelligence that led to a 1,225-kilogram cocaine seizure from a boat on the western Guatemalan coast. In addition, the GCCO received intelligence that three tractor-trailers had recently departed Guatemala for Nicaragua, where they would be loaded with a significant amount of cocaine before returning to Guatemala. Extensive vehicle searches and subsequent surveillance and arrests resulted in a total seizure of 2,556 kilograms of cocaine-the largest cocaine seizure in Guatemalan law enforcement history.
The San Jose, Costa Rica Country Office and host country counterparts conducted a joint wiretap investigation targeting Cuban-American cocaine traffickers and money launderers operating in Costa Rica. The intelligence gathering led to the arrest of seven suspects and a Costa Rican seizure of $1.5 million in U.S. currency and $1.8 million in assets, as well as a U.S. seizure of $150,000 in assets. Additionally, the wiretap revealed that the organization had recently sent a cargo container from Costa Rica, to Gulfport, Mississippi. A search of this container in Gulfport resulted in the seizure of 79 kilograms of cocaine.
A joint wire/cellular intercept investigation by DEA Brazil and the Brazilian Federal Police (DPF) resulted in the arrest of Leonardo Mendonca, one of Brazil's major narcotics violators, and six of his associates. Intelligence gathered indicated that the organization was responsible for smuggling multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine through Brazil and Suriname to the Continental U.S. and Europe. DEA also provided intelligence to the DPF that led to the seizure of cocaine conversion laboratories, one of which had a production capacity of 15 tons of cocaine per month.
Intelligence information provided to Croatian law enforcement personnel by the DEA Guayaquil Resident Office and the Vienna, Austria Country Office resulted in 625 kilograms of cocaine seized in Rijeka, Croatia. A container of supposed tuna was shipped from Guayaquil, then transferred to a different vessel and shipped to Belgium. The container was then loaded on a train destined for Rijeka, Croatia. Croatian police continued monitoring the container until the receiving shipping company received instructions to ship the container to Slovenia. The Croatian police then made a search of the container, discovering approximately 625 kilograms of cocaine.
Intelligence from the San Jose, Costa Rica Country Office about a vehicle transporting cocaine across the Costa Rican/ Nicaraguan border was passed to the Managua, Nicaragua Country Office, which in turn notified the Nicaraguan National Police. This intelligence led to the seizure of approximately 300 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of the driver, a Costa Rican national.
As a result of information obtained by DEA in El Salvador and passed to the Anti-Narcotics Division (DAN), a Salvadoran cocaine distribution organization responsible for transporting multi-ton quantities of cocaine from Panama through Central America to the U.S. was disrupted. Several Salvadorans were arrested and 202 kilograms of cocaine were seized.
The Brasilia, Brazil Country Office spearheaded Operation Gaining Control, a chemical diversion project aimed at the control and documentation of fluvial traffic transiting the Amazon River destined to Colombia and Peru and the obstruction of entrance of precursor chemicals to those areas that produce cocaine HCL. The operational headquarters for Gaining Control is located in the port city of Manaus, State of Amazonas, and is maintained by a multi-nation task force comprised of law enforcement officials from Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, and the DEA. All chemical intelligence collected in Operation Gaining Control is maintained in a database that is shared by all the country representatives participating in the project.
The Manila, Philippines Country Office (MCO) has been instrumental in enhancing the intelligence gathering capabilities of Philippine counterparts. To that end, the MCO has provided model legislation and expertise in the areas of technical collection and information management programs. Indicative of success, enhanced intelligence gathering and the exchange of information by DEA and Philippine counterparts resulted in the seizure of approximately 420 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine along the coast of Northern Luzon, Philippines, in November, 1999.
The Brussels, Belgium Country Office received information from a confidential source indicating that a DEA fugitive wanted in Philadelphia was in Quito, Ecuador. This information was passed on to the DEA Quito Country Office, which in turn informed the Ecuador National Police. An International Arrest Warrant Request was submitted to Interpol. The fugitive was arrested, and is awaiting extradition.
(3) Engage in Foreign Liaison
DEA Agents establish close relationships and networks with their counterparts that foster cooperation in international drug law enforcement. The following examples illustrate the impact of DEA's foreign liaison activities.
In April 1999, DEA sponsored the 17th annual International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC). At the conference, senior drug law enforcement officials from 29 member countries throughout the Western Hemisphere and observers from Europe, Asia, and Australia met to discuss and exchange insights on counter narcotics enforcement activities. Presenters described their counter narcotics law enforcement strategies and shared lessons learned from multilateral investigations and operations. Members adopted initiatives pertaining to the development of regional multinational enforcement investigations and operations targeting major drug traffickers in the hemisphere. The conference, hosted by the U.S., provided a forum for the delegates to exchange information and build personal relationships that are key to enhancing closer coordination among law enforcement agencies.
On October 18, 1999, Attorney General Janet Reno, on behalf of the DEA, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the DEA and the Federal Security Service of the Russia Federation to combat illegal activities in drug and psychotropic substances. The signing occurred at the American Ambassador's residence in conjunction with the Attorney General's visit to Moscow for the G-8 Ministerial Conference on Transnational Crime. The Moscow Country Office envisions enhanced cooperation between the two agencies as a result of this signing.
DEA Islamabad, Pakistan Country Office coordinated with host counterparts the arrest of seven U.S. fugitives; four have already been extradited to the U.S. This is a significant turnaround in the U.S.-Pakistani law enforcement relationship.
The DEA Bangkok, Thailand Country Attaché and the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia met with the Cambodian Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in Phnom Penh to discuss current and future cooperative counter narcotics efforts. Both the U.S. and Cambodian representatives expressed interest in the future establishment of a DEA office in Phnom Penh. A good example of the current relationship DEA enjoys with Cambodian counterparts is the unprecedented testimony of two Cambodian police officers in a U.S. Federal Court late in 1999.
DEA in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have coordinated the involvement of their host country counterparts in sharing tactical intelligence used in interception of drug loads and diversion of essential chemicals. Cross-border cooperation and a regional counter narcotics strategy were discussed at a meeting in Belize of IDEC Central America and Mexico Working Group members.
Annually, the South Korea Supreme Prosecutor's Office hosts the Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting of International Cooperation (ADLOMICO) Conference. The 1999 ADLOMICO Conference, which was co-chaired by the DEA Seoul Country Attaché, was attended by 120 representatives from 16 different countries. Representatives from DEA Headquarters gave presentations on international drug trafficking.
In July 1999, after years of diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China, DEA officially opened its office in Beijing. Throughout 1999, DEA hosted several Chinese law enforcement delegations sponsored by the People's Republic of China. While visiting DEA, these delegations received briefings at DEA Headquarters, Justice Training Center, and various Field Divisions.
4) Coordinate Training Programs for Host Country Police Agencies
DEA's international training activities are conducted in coordination with DEA's foreign offices, U.S. Missions, and the Department of State, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The full range of the international anti-narcotics training program is addressed in the International Training Section.
The following table provides a summary of training courses provided by DEA to foreign law enforcement officials.
DEA Summary of International Asset Forfeiture Sharing
(FY99)
Name of Case or Investigation
Total Amount Forfeited in the U.S.
Recipient Country
Amount of Transfer
Transfer Date
Ives Charest
DEA Admin. Forfeiture Case No. C7970084
$45,250.00
Canada
$24,887.60
12/03/98
U.S. V. JULIO
Nasser Davis, et al. Case No. 94-131-CR (SD Fla)
$178,032,044.00
$9,108,712.00
Switzerland
$89,016,022.00
$4,554,086.00
12/18/98
12/23/99
Daniel Berger
DEA Admin. Forfeiture Case No. GH960118 (CD.Cal)
$214,322.00
Switzerland
$107,161.13
02/05/99
Walter Furst
Admin. Forfeiture Case No. R1960625 (CD.Cal)
$22,055.00
Switzerland
$10,630.43
02/05/99
Farina (D. Col.)
U.S v. $1,814,807.93 Case No. 97-S -1928
$1,814,807.93
United Kingdom
$181,466.89
06/03/99
Operation Dinero
(N.D. Ga) U.S. v. $295,375.28 No. 1:94-CV-3340-AC U.S. v. $3,531,149.00 No. 1:95-CV-0153-AC
$3,825,524.28
United Kingdom
Anguilla
$229,517.39
$328,528.99
06/03/99,
08/24/99
Luz Mary Durango
DEA Admin. Forfeiture Case No. C1960051
$28,665.00
Ecuador
$14,327.50
05/18/99
United States Coast Guard
Combined Operations
Coast Guard counternarcotics law enforcement in the Caribbean and maritime borders of Latin America is largely dependent on international combined operations. Partnering with law enforcement officials of other nations helps develop indigenous interdiction forces and enhances the cumulative impact of interdiction against drug traffickers in the region. Combined operations with other nations' maritime forces provide practical training for foreign, as well as Coast Guard personnel.
CARIBE VENTURE is a recurrent series of multinational operations in the Eastern Caribbean. Participants extend legal authority to law enforcement officials of other nations that permit entry and pursuit of suspects through sovereign sea and air space. International partners presently include: United Kingdom and dependent territories, the Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles, France and the French West Indies, Dominican Republic, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla & Montserrat, Dominica, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago. In addition, all RSS member nations participate in ad hoc combined operations conducted in the vicinity of their territorial sea and airspace.
OPERATION GENESISwas a cooperative effort between the Government of Haiti and the Government of the Dominican Republic to improve cross border police relations, cooperative investigations, and to integrate Haitian and Dominican Republic police entities responsible for counter drug operations.
OPERATION CREOLE STORM was an operation conducted with the Dominica Coast Guard and was the first time that the bilateral agreements were exercised with Dominica and the first time the USCG was involved in an operation conducted by an RSS nation.
FRONTIER LANCE was a surge operation south of the island of Hispaniola involving U.S. Coast Guard surface and air assets as well as Haitian and Dominican Republic interdiction assets. This operation used shipriders from both countries and helped foster a better working relationship between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
OPBAT is an ongoing interdiction program involving forward staged Coast Guard and Army air assets, DEA agents, along with Bahamian Police and Turks & Caicos Islands Police forces. During FY99OPBAT forces seized 4,857 pounds of cocaine, 3,564 pounds of marijuana, 8 vessels and made 13 arrests. There are three primary staging sites for Coast Guard and Army helicopters, which may respond to targets throughout the Bahamas and Florida Straits. OPBAT style techniques were exported to other regions of the transit zone (Operation FRONTIER LANCE).
HALCON is a recurrent series of counternarcotics and alien migrant operations conducted between the Coast Guard and Dominican Republic (DOMREP). Training is conducted and includes Damage Control, Basic Seamanship and Maritime Law Enforcement. Shipriders extend legal authority that permits entry and pursuit of suspects through sovereign sea and air space. One operation in the series was conducted in December 1998. During Underway portion, the Coast Guard Cutter HARRIET LANE embarked 2 Dominican shipriders coordinated joint response to an airdrop 80nm South of Puerto Rico, which resulted in the recovery of 1,760 pounds of cocaine.
The Coast Guard also conducted the maritime professional exchange and training components of TRADEWINDS 99, a longstanding annual exercise sponsored by the Department of Defense. Crewmembers from a Coast Guard medium endurance cutter and patrol boat accomplished a broad spectrum of maritime training for personnel from CARICOM nations at two different sites in the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.
OP CONJUNTOS is a continuing series of counternarcotics operations that exercise the existing bilateral agreement with Panama. Four OP CONJUNTOS were conducted in FY99 and plans are to continue the series in FY00.
Conducted four phases of OP RIP TIDE in FY99. Both Coast Guard and Jamaican assets were used during the four phases. Cayman Island assets also participated in both past and present operations, and increased participation is expected in the future. These operations were very successful and provided significant training to the JDFCG. During Phase One CGC RESOLUTE in conjunction with Jamaican forces interdicted a Jamaican canoe in vicinity of Grand Cayman, 1,600 pounds of marijuana was seized and 2 suspects were arrested.
Operations with Belize, OP ALLIED STRENGTH was conducted with Belize in November of FY99. This operation started as a Central Skies operation however, Hurricane Mitch changed it into an operation that exercised the U.S./Belize bilateral agreement. Two tons of hurricane relief supplies and $4K were delivered for Hurricane relief efforts. OPERATION IDES OF MARCH was conducted March 99, a total of 21 boardings were conducted. Belize National Police considered the operation a success with the exception of poor communications with Belize Forces small boats.
The Coast Guard also conducts coincidental operations with the Mexican Navy in the Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Pacific. During these operations, Coast Guard and Mexican Naval units operate simultaneously, and exchange on-scene information, which may assist in the interdiction of drug traffickers. The Coast Guard assisted the Mexican Navy with the boarding of and subsequent seizure of 15,515 pounds of cocaine on board F/V MAZATLAN IV and 21,036 pounds of cocaine on board the F/V XOLOSCUINTLE in FY99.
Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) are largely responsible for the success of combined operations with foreign countries. Coast Guard currently deploys LEDETs on British and Dutch warships which extends the Coast Guard's maritime law enforcement authority. LEDETs provide technical support to foreign countries conducting dockside boardings when requested by the foreign government, usually by operating drug detection devices, and providing guidance on detecting hidden compartments.
Beginning in April 1996, the USCG International Training and Technical Assistance Division (ITD), in conjunction with the Canadian Coast Guard, has been conducting a full time training and advisory program in Haiti, under the direction of the Chief, U.S. Military Liaison Officer, a USCG Commander. The team has been developing the Haitian Coast Guard (HCG), a unit of the Haitian National Police. The HCG now consists of 96 personnel and eight operational boats. They are very enthusiastic in all of their mission areas, especially drug law enforcement. Unfortunately, they are severely restricted in manpower despite a recent doubling of their force. They do not have a reserve force, so every operation impacts their training and qualification program. The HCG is not yet capable of protecting Haiti's 1500kms of coastline and numerous ports from the drug trafficking threat due to a lack of assets, minimal infrastructure, and a shortage of personnel. In addition to the team of trainer/advisors on the ground in Haiti, there has been significant involvement with Haitian students in USCG resident schools. Haitian students attended residential training at Coast Guard training centers in the United States. These students attended a variety of courses, but the majority of courses attended provided the basic skills needed by the growing Coast Guard. Additionally, several HCG members have attended professional officer training including the International Maritime Officers Course and Officer Candidate School. The HCG has also had two graduates of the USCG Chief Petty Officer Academy.
Maritime Counternarcotics Agreements
Coast Guard officers are key members of interagency USG delegations traveling to Caribbean countries to negotiate bilateral maritime counternarcotics agreements. The "Six Part" model agreements include shipboarding, shiprider, pursuit, entry-to-investigate, overflight, and order to land provisions. Coast Guard officials are also assisting the State Department in negotiating agreements to improve maritime migrant interdiction operations.
Coast Guard officers are posted in key embassies of source and transit zone countries. Current billets include Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. These officers coordinate a significant amount of informal training and assistance to host nation forces delivered by visiting Coast Guard cutter and aircraft crewmembers, as well as coordination of counternarcotics operations.
Training
The U.S. Coast Guard provides basic and advanced training in its four core mission areas of Maritime Law Enforcement, Maritime Safety, Marine Environmental Protection and Defense Readiness. Specific skill sets include enforcement of laws and treaties (counternarcotics, fisheries, smuggling, alien interdiction); search and rescue; marine environmental response and protection; safety and security of marine transportation, ports, waterways and shore facilities; contingency and response planning; legal authority and jurisdiction; resource management to include budget formulation and workforce planning, training and retention; and national defense preparedness. The training program development process begins by first assessing the state of the partner nation's maritime program, resources and the organization designated as the lead for this responsibility. A tailored, and possibly joint, training plan is then developed to meet the partner nation's program goals. Ultimately, in-country teams help the partner organization carry out the developed training plan to the point of established self-sufficiency. The team can assist a country in achieving national maritime goals in non-defense areas within the U.S. Coast Guard's area of expertise. Should the partner nation have a mission or issue that is covered by multiple U.S. agencies, which includes the U.S. Coast Guard, the team leader will assist in acquisition of personnel from other U.S. agencies. Mission areas that have been addressed by previous Coast Guard and joint training teams include: evaluation of maritime law enforcement programs, development of model ports relative to narcotics intervention, creation of an implementation plan for a multi-mission, multi-agency maritime service management model, and development of training plans and institutions for multi-agency marine safety and maritime law enforcement programs.
The following charts show actual and projected training and assistance events for FY99 and FY00.
USCG Technical AssistanceFY99 (Completed)
Country
Course Title
Start Date
Finish Date
Funding Source
Albania
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training team
30 Aug 99
10 Sep 99
IMET
Antigua (RSSTU)
Maritime Commerce Control, Infrastructure Development Mobile Training Team
01 Oct 98
30 Sep 99
INL
Aruba
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
01 May 99
08 May 99
Direct
Belize
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
15 Feb 99
19 Feb 99
INL
Bolivia
Port Security/Administration Legislation
11 Jul 99
15 Jul 99
DOD
Chile
Carrier Initiative Program
16 Nov 98
21 Nov 98
USCS
Colombia
Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Assessment Mobile Training Team
26 Jul 99
26 Jul 99
IMET
Colombia
Riverine Operations Seminar Training
20 Oct 98
24 Oct 98
DOD
Colombia
Riverine Operations Seminar Training
01 Feb 99
05 Feb 99
DOD
Colombia
USCS Seaport Security Program
09 Sep 99
23 Sep 99
USCS
Costa Rica
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
09 Feb 99
19 Feb 99
INL
Curacao
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
23 Apr 99
30 Apr 99
Direct
Curacao
Maritime Law Enforcement Pre-Training Survey (E-IMET)
18 Jan 99
24 Jan 99
Direct
Curacao
Search Coordination and Planning
08 Jan 99
15 Jan 99
Direct
Dominican Republic
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
06 Dec 98
10 Dec 98
INL
Dominican Republic
Curriculum Infusion Program, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
06 Feb 99
20 Feb 99
Ecuador
Counter-Drug Training Support
22 Jun 99
06 Jul 99
DOD
Ecuador
Marine Safety and Environmental Security Seminar
23 Aug 99
28 Aug 99
IMET
Ecuador
Miscellaneous Mobile Training Team Out-CONUS
12 Oct 98
16 Oct 98
DOD
Eritrea
Fisheries Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
11 Jan 99
15 Jan 99
IMET
Estonia
Miscellaneous Mobile Training Team Out-CONUS
30 Nov 98
04 Dec 98
DOD
Georgia
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
14 Jun 99
19 Jun 99
USCS
Georgia
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
24 Nov 98
10 Dec 98
USCS
Georgia
Engineering/Logistics Administration Mobile Training Team
09 Aug 99
15 Aug 99
USCS
Georgia
Interdiction Planning, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
21 Jun 99
26 Jun 99
USCS
Georgia
Maritime Commerce Control, Infrastructure Development Mobile Training Team
16 Aug 99
11 Feb 00
USCS
USCG Technical Assistance (Cont.)
FY99 (Completed)
Country
Course Title
Start Date
Finish Date
Funding Source
Georgia
Outboard Motor Maintenance Mobile Training Team
16 Aug 99
21 Aug 99
USCS
Georgia
Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Assessment Mobile Training Team
22 Feb 99
04 Mar 99
USCS
Georgia
Program overview/oversight
07 Dec 98
12 Dec 198
USCS
Greece
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
20 Sep 99
25 Sep 99
DOD
Haiti
Maritime Commerce Control, Infrastructure Development Mobile Training Team
01 Oct 98
30 Sep 99
IMET
Indonesia
Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Assessment Mobile Training Team
08 Feb 99
12 Feb 99
INL
Jordan
Pre-Training Survey Team (NON-EIMET)
26 Apr 99
30 Apr 99
DOD
Kazakhstan
Small Boat Operations Mobile Training Team
31 May 99
07 Jun 99
INL
Kenya
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
09 Nov 98
13 Nov 98
IMET
Kenya
Fisheries Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
03 May 99
14 May 99
IMET
Lithuania
Model Maritime Service Code Phase 2
30 Nov 98
05 Dec 98
INL
Macedonia
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
23 Aug 99
30 Aug 99
IMET
Malaysia
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
22 Feb 99
26 Feb 99
INL
Malaysia
Interdiction Planning, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
01 Mar 99
05 Mar 99
INL
Mexico
Curriculum Infusion Program, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
01 Mar 99
15 Mar 99
INL
Mexico
Curriculum Infusion Program, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
05 Jun 99
20 Jun 99
INL
Mexico
Pre-Training Survey Team (NON-EIMET)
24 Jan 99
28 Jan 99
INL
Morocco
Joint Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
14 Feb 99
20 Feb 99
IMET
Mozambique
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
17 May 99
22 May 99
IMET
Nicaragua
Maritime Law Enforcement Pre-Training Survey (E-IMET)
07 Sep 99
11 Sep 99
IMET
Nicaragua
Small Boat Maintenance
15 Mar 99
26 Mar 99
INL
Nicaragua
Small Boat Operations Mobile Training Team
01 Mar 99
12 Mar 99
INL
Panama
Container Inspection Program
06 Sep 99
11 Sep 99
DIRECT
Panama
Fisheries Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
21 Jun 99
26 Jun 99
IMET
Papua-New Guinea
Interdiction Planning, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
20 Sep 99
24 Sep 99
IMET
USCG Technical Assistance (Cont.) FY99 (Completed)
Country
Course Title
Start Date
Finish Date
Funding Source
Papua-New Guinea
Maritime Law Enforcement Pre-Training Survey (E-IMET)
22 Mar 99
26 Mar 99
EIMET
Papua-New Guinea
Model Maritime Service Code Phase 1 - Assessment
26 Mar 99
06 Apr 99
IMET
Peru
Maritime Commerce Control, Infrastructure Development Mobile Training Team
01 Oct 98
30 Sep 99
NAS
Philippines
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
24 May 99
04 Jun 99
USAID
Philippines
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
23 Aug 99
08 Sep 99
USAID
Philippines
Miscellaneous Mobile Training Team Out-CONUS
16 Aug 99
20 Aug 99
USAID
Portugal
Instructor Course, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
22 Mar 99
28 Mar 99
IMET
Portugal
Interdiction Planning, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
29 Mar 99
04 Apr 99
IMET
Romania
Model Maritime Service Code Phase 3 - Development
20 Aug 99
24 Aug 99
IMET
Seychelles
Fisheries Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
26 Apr 99
30 Apr 99
IMET
Seychelles
Maritime Commerce Control, Infrastructure Development Mobile Training Team
28 Jan 99
28 Apr 99
DOD
Seychelles
Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Assessment Mobile Training Team
14 Jun 99
18 Jun 99
IMET
Solomon Islands
Model Maritime Service Code Phase 1 - Assessment
26 Mar 99
06 Apr 99
IMET
Solomon Islands
Port Physical Security/Port Vulnerability Assessment Mobile Training Team
01 Feb 99
04 Feb 99
IMET
St. Maarten
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
09 Jul 99
16 Jul 99
Direct
Tanzania
Coast Guard Development/Needs Assessment Team
15 Nov 98
23 Nov 98
FMS
Tonga
Fisheries Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
19 Jul 99
19 Jul 99
IMET
Trinidad & Tobago
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
25 Jan 99
30 Jan 99
INL
Trinidad & Tobago
Maritime Law Enforcement Pre-Training Survey (E-IMET)
23 Jan 99
30 Jan 99
USCS
Tunisia
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
13 Sep 99
18 Sep 99
IMET
Tunisia
Fisheries Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
26 Apr 99
02 May 99
IMET
Tunisia
Fisheries Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer Mobile Training Team
06 Sep 99
11 Sep 99
IMET
Turkmenistan
Boarding Officer, Counternarcotics Maritime Law Enforcement Mobile Training Team
13 Jun 99
18 Jun 99
INL
United Arab Emirates
Incident Command System
25 Aug 99
26 Aug 99
DOD
United Arab Emirates
Pollution Response/Incident Command System
11 Sep 99
17 Sep 99
DOD
USCG Technical Assistance (Cont.)
FY99 (Completed)
Country
Course Title
