US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA5083

UNCLAS BOGOTA 005083 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR INL AND WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, PTER, MOPS, CO 
SUBJECT: COUNTER DRUG BRIGADE OPERATION AGAINST DANIEL 
ALDANA MOBILE COLUMN 
 
Ref: Bogota 3691 
 
1. (SBU) The 1st Battalion of the Plan Colombia supported 
Counter Drug Brigade (CD BDE) conducted operations in the 
department of Narino from January to May.  On the last day 
of their deployment, May 5, the unit conducted an operation 
against the Colombian Revolutionary Front (FARC) Daniel 
Aldana Mobile Column.  The Daniel Aldana Column is involved 
in drug trafficking and arms smuggling activities in 
southwestern Narino and across the border with Ecuador. 
 
2. (SBU) Although alias "Rambo", the Daniel Aldana Column 
commander was not there, the CD BDE unit captured Cecilia 
Munoz Jaramillo alias "Karen", Rambo's sentimental 
companion.  Rambo's laptop computer was also captured. 
 
3. (SBU) In addition, the unit hit a second objective, a 
cocaine HCL lab with peak production capability of four 
metric tons of cocaine a month.  The unit destroyed over 
15,000 gallons of liquid precursors, 3.5 tons of solid 
precursors, 18 microwave ovens and four "marcianos" (used to 
recycle precursor chemicals.) 
 
4. (SBU) Comment: The aerial spray eradication of more than 
55,000 hectares of coca, the capture of Karen, the 
destruction of numerous labs, and the capture of almost two 
tons of cocaine HCL (reftel), have undoubtedly dealt a blow 
to the narco-terrorist groups in southwestern Narino.  If 
the amount of hectares planted and eradicated, quantity of 
labs destroyed, and amount of cocaine HCL captured are any 
indication, Narino has become the Putumayo of the 2000's. 
End comment. 
 
Wood