US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA2222

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR INL/LP, WHA/CEN, AND WHA/PPC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, PGOV, KCRM, KJUS, PHUM, ECON, HO 
SUBJECT: HONDURAN POLICE DELIVER BLOW TO SUSPECTED 
NARCOTRAFFICKERS; SEIZE LOTS OF CASH 
 
 
1. (U) On October 2, Honduran police confiscated USD 
1,070,000 from suspected Honduran narcotraffickers near the 
city of San Pedro Sula (SPS) after discovering the cash 
during the search of a suspect truck at a police inspection 
stop.  The money was found concealed in spare tires inside a 
sealed compartment.  Police seized 107 packets containing USD 
10,000 each; all bills were USD 20 denomination.  There are 
reports of a few counterfeit bills among the cash. 
 
2. (SBU) According to Honduran press reports, prior to 
stopping at the police barrier, occupants of the truck, and a 
SUV possibly providing security for the truck, had apparently 
been in a fire-fight with members of another vehicle, 
resulting in a female occupant of the SUV being injured. 
When questioned by police, the vehicles' occupants claimed 
they were the victims of an ambush.  Police, however, 
initially made no arrests.  (Note:  DEA reports that the 
vehicle's occupants left the scene in the SUV en route to a 
hospital in SPS prior to the search of the truck, thus 
accounting for no arrests being made.  End Note.)  Gladis 
Suyapa Castillo Hernandez, the wounded female in the SUV, is 
currently in a private clinic in SPS recovering from gunshot 
sounds.  The driver of the SUV, Juan Carlos Hernandez, has 
disappeared. Both suspects are Honduran nationals.  The 
driver of the truck remains unknown. 
 
3. (U) Organized Crime Special Prosecutor Doris Aguilar, 
convinced the money was intended to pay for a large drug 
shipment, intends to more fully investigate the case.  In the 
interim, Honduran authorities have charged Gladis Castillo 
with money laundering and police are reportedly waiting to 
interrogate her.  No visitors are being allowed into her 
hospital room.  Police, who have also issued an arrest 
warrant for the SUV's driver, Hernandez, believe that many 
other individuals may be involved. 
 
Pierce