US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA6622

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 006622 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
DEPT FOR INL/RM, INL/LP 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/AND 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, KCRM, PTER, CO 
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: MAJORS LIST CERTIFICATION 
 
REF: SECSTATE 94578 
 
1. (SBU) Summary:  Though Colombia remains a major illicit 
drug producing and trafficking country, the GOC is an 
unwavering ally in the fight against narcotics production 
and distribution.  Colombia has been an enthusiastic partner 
in the development of innovative approaches to narcotics 
interdiction.  Under President Uribe's leadership, cocaine 
seizures are at all-time record levels and the GOC is on 
track to set new aerial eradication records again in 2005. 
The attached certification report card highlights the GOC's 
commitment to U.S. counter-narcotics goals and suggests 
areas requiring further attention.  End summary. 
 
2. (SBU) In 2004, the GOC once again set new aerial 
eradication records. 
 
-- The Colombian National Police (CNP) sprayed more than 
136,500 hectares of coca and over 3000 hectares of opium 
poppy in CY2004.  Through June 30, 2005, the CNP had sprayed 
over 95,500 hectares of coca and 1100 hectares of opium 
poppy.  In addition to spray operations, the GOC has 
embarked on an ambitious manual eradication program that 
entails the mobilization of over 40 mobile eradication 
teams.  By mid-year these teams had manually eradicated over 
9,500 hectares of coca.  The Uribe government has identified 
an ambitious target of 40,000 hectares over two years.  The 
GOC will have to earmark more resources to this program, 
including shifting of additional security personnel from 
other public security duties, if this goal is to be 
attained. 
 
-- The GOC has taken steps to ensure that the aerial 
eradication program is conducted without undue risk to human 
health and the environment, as specified by Colombian and 
U.S. law.  These measures include semi-annual spray program 
monitoring and verification, as required by the 
Environmental Management Plan for aerial eradication.  A 
scientific study commissioned by the Organization of 
American States concluded that glyphosate, as used in the 
eradication program in Colombia, does not present a 
significant risk to human health.  Nonetheless, there 
remains vigorous opposition to aerial eradication-especially 
in national parks and protected areas. 
 
3. (SBU) In 2003, the GOC restarted an aerial interdiction 
program (Air Bridge Denial, or ABD program) to interdict 
aircraft carrying illicit drugs and related contraband. 
 
-- The GOC worked with the USG to establish safety and legal 
procedures as a prerequisite for restarting USG assistance 
for an ABD program in Colombia.  The ABD program was 
restarted in August 2003 and since then has led to the 
interdiction and/or destruction of 21 illegal aircraft.  The 
ABD program is constrained by the lack of Colombian 
interceptors, dedicated ground forces, and other resources 
to follow up Unidentified, Assumed Suspect (UAS) tracks and 
to terminate law enforcement actions on the ground.  As a 
result, abandoned aircraft are destroyed from the air 
without the seizure of drugs and other contraband, or the 
apprehension of suspect aircrew. 
 
4. (SBU) In 2004, the GOC expanded its airport, port, and 
road interdiction programs. 
 
-- Airport interdiction: The Airport Interdiction Project 
(AIP) was initiated in 2001 to share intelligence to 
interdict illegal drug shipments originating at Colombia's 
international airports.  Units from airport security, the 
National Security Service (DAS), and the CNP's Anti- 
narcotics Directorate (DIRAN) received special equipment and 
training to identify drug-carrying couriers and detect 
hidden compartments, as well as to identify the 
organizations behind these illegal activities.  In 2004, the 
AIP led to the seizure of 3.7 metric tons of cocaine and 360 
kilograms of heroin and the arrest of 215 couriers.  With 
the assistance of DEA and NAS, the GOC expanded the airport 
interdiction program in 2004 to include airports at 
Medellin, Cali, and Barranquilla.  Medellin and Cali AIP 
units have begun X-ray operations and negotiations are 
ongoing for the construction of facilities for the AIP in 
Barranquilla. 
 
-- Seaport Security Program:  Colombia's eight seaports have 
active port security programs staffed by DIRAN teams.  All 
ports lack adequate DIRAN personnel, including binomial 
teams (canine and guide), to inspect an acceptable 
percentage of export cargo.  The CNP is cognizant of this 
shortcoming but is unable to assign additional personnel at 
this time due to pressing security demands elsewhere.  As an 
alternative, NAS and U.S. ICE representatives are exploring 
ways to enhance the effectiveness of current DIRAN forces 
through more effective utilization of mechanical detection 
equipment. 
 
-- Road interdiction: The CNP Antinarcotics Police (DIRAN) 
and other units employ their INL-funded Road Interdiction 
equipment at both fixed and mobile checkpoints. 
 
-- GOC Public Forces (Military and Police) seized a combined 
178 metric tons of cocaine HCl and cocaine base in 2004. 
Through the first half of 2005, seizures amounted to 101 
metric tons of cocaine/base.  Thus far in 2005, Public 
Forces have seized 468 kilograms of heroin compared to 721 
kilograms in all of 2004. 
 
-- With assistance from the Narcotics Affairs Section and 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the CNP Antinarcotics 
Police established the largest polygraph unit in Latin 
America.  This unit completed training in early 2005, is 
fully-equipped, and has begun the process of vetting police 
and other personnel assigned to security tasks in Colombia's 
air and sea ports. 
 
5. (SBU) The GOC continues to extradite suspected criminals 
indicted by the United States.  Most were indicted on 
narcotics charges. 
 
-- Colombia extradited 91 fugitives to the United States 
during CY 2004.  Thus far in CY 2005, an additional 41 
suspects have been extradited to stand trial in the United 
States and 57 cases are pending.  The GOC has repeatedly 
stated that it will continue to extradite criminals who have 
violated the laws of other countries. 
 
6. (SBU) The USG encouraged the GOC to decrease the time and 
streamline procedures required for forfeiture of assets 
seized from convicted drug traffickers. 
 
-- The GOC has intervened three large firms recently. 
First, the Drogas la Rebaja, the largest retail pharmacy 
chain in the country was intervened to prevent the Rodriguez- 
Orjuela family from continuing to make use of the Drogas la 
Rebaja assets.  Similarly, the GOC intervened the Grajales 
Group of firms to prevent the Henao clan from using these 
assets.  Grajales is a large, integrated producer of fresh 
produce, wine, and processed foods in the Valle de Cauca 
area (near Cali).  The GOC also intervened a large retail 
chain, Casas Estrellas, which had significant financial 
participation by the Henao clan.  The GOC continues to 
operate all three firms pending their definitive takeover by 
the GOC and eventual sale. 
 
-- The GOC revised its assets forfeiture law in 2002 and has 
moved aggressively on its asset seizure program in 2004. 
The GOC has also embarked on a campaign to seize property 
from small-scale narcotics producers as well.  Targeting 
small landowners engaged in illicit crop production is being 
combined with aggressive manual eradication to reinforce the 
Uribe government's zero-tolerance policy. 
 
Wood