US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA1626

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001626 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CEN AND INL/LP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, KCRM, KJUS, ASEC, SOCI, PINR, HO 
SUBJECT: LA MOSQUITIA MAYORS CALL FOR MORE RESOURCES TO 
FIGHT NARCOTRAFFICKING PROBLEM 
 
1.  The mayors of two communities in La Mosquitia (in the 
northeast corner of Honduras) called on central authorities 
to increase police presence and equipment in the region as it 
has become the foremost narcotrafficking zone in the country. 
The complaint was issued June 20 by the mayor of Puerto 
Lempira, Cirilo Fellman, and the mayor of Ahuas, Carlos 
Sanabria.  They asked for at least 200 new police assignments 
as well as the equipment necessary to confront 
narcotraffickers, namely cars, arms, and small boats. 
 
2.  According to the two mayors, drug trafficking in La 
Mosquitia has begun to reign uncontrollably, especially along 
the coast, and many times in plain view of police.  La 
Mosquitia has only 46 police officers for the entire region. 
According to Sanabria, Ahuas, which is one of the more 
central municipalities in the region, has a very strong drug 
trade, especially at night.  There are only three police 
agents in the municipality, and no cars or boats assigned to 
the precinct. Puerto Lempira has 12 police officers. 
 
3.  La Mosquitia is one of the biggest regions of the 
country, but also one of the least populated.  The population 
is just over 70,000, yet the territory occupies an area of 
around 20,000 square km - making up about a fifth of 
Honduras.  Most of the region is wilderness and uninhabited 
land, making it an ideal place for illicit activity. 
Moreover, many from the region profit from drug activity and 
are reluctant to cooperate with authorities.  There are three 
main points of entry for drug cargoes in the region: 
Tilbalaca, Ribra, and Barra Patuca. From these points, drugs 
(mainly cocaine) move to Olancho and Colon, in the north and 
center of Honduras, ultimately heading toward the United 
States. According to the mayors, at least two more police 
cars and assigning more police officers to the area would 
help squelch these transactions. 
 
4.  Aside from the drug trade, the mayors also voiced concern 
about a rise in drug use and delinquency in the region. 
Fellman in particular voiced concern about the proliferation 
of crack cocaine use among youth in Puerto Lempira.  The 
problem is more than just the "competence of the local 
authorities and politicians," he told the Honduran press, and 
it is also an issue of "finding means of control, security, 
and logistical support." 
 
5.  COMMENT: Most of the inhabitants involved in the drug 
trade are paid with cocaine instead of money.  This almost 
insures that they sell the cocaine locally in order to 
convert the product into currency.  This is why there is now 
a local consumption problem and a flourishing drug trade 
network in the area.  Additionally, police officers assigned 
to La Mosquitia are viewed as outsiders and are ill equipped 
to handle the drug problem in the area, lacking resources, 
proper training, and management controls. 
 
6.  COMMENT CONTINUED:  An official from the Counter-Narcotic 
Council said that the Council would seek additional police 
officers for the region but noted that police presence alone 
would not solve the drug trafficking and drug corruption 
problems.  Education, employment opportunities, and better 
health care are needed.  END COMMENT. 
Palmer