US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA1908

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001908 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS DS/CR/CIL, DS/IP/WHA, INL/IP, WHA/PPC, WHA/CEN, 
DRL/CRA AND DRL/PHD 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAM AND LAC/RSD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, PGOV, SNAR, KCRM, KJUS, HO 
SUBJECT: RSO COORDINATES WITH HONDURAN AUTHORITIES IN MS-13 
OPERATION THAT ARRESTS OVER 162 GANG MEMBERS IN RAID. 
 
 Summary:  RSO Tegucigalpa in coordination with local 
authorities participated in a five nation police effort 
against the Mara Salvatrucha-13 gang (MS-13).  Local 
operations, which were conducted in six Honduran cities, led 
to the arrest of over 162 local gang members.  RSO 
Tegucigalpa directed planning and operational meetings with 
local authorities in the weeks before the operation.  During 
the operation Honduran authorities arrested one gang member 
that was involved in the recent murder of DEA agent Timothy 
Markey. The Honduran law enforcement also seized six 
firearms, crack, marijuana and cocaine, over  USD700, two 
motorcycles and two cars.  This operation was part of the FBI 
MS-13 Task Force which has targeted this international gang 
in an effort to totally eradicate it from the United States 
and Latin America. End Summary. 
 
1. On September 7, 2005 RSO coordinated with Honduran law 
enforcement authorities in an operation that targeted MS-13 
gang members. Honduran authorities conducted raids in six 
Honduran cities where MS-13 operated.  Honduran authorities 
hailed this effort as a success as they arrested 162 gang 
members. Some of the arrested were from Guatemala and El 
Salvador. local authorities also claimed that one of the gang 
members arrested was involved in the murder of DEA agent 
Timothy Markey This person is accused of aiding and harboring 
the two suspected murderers of Markey. 
 
3. Honduran officials seized six firearms, over 15 vials of 
crack, six grams of cocaine and an unknown amount of 
marijuana. The locals also seized two motorcycles and two 
vehicles, including a taxi, that MS-13 was using.  Honduran 
officials gathered vital intelligence and will follow up on 
other investigative leads that the operation generated. 
 
4.  This operation was part of Diplomatic Security Service 
continued participation in the FBI MS-13 Task Force.  The 
overall operation was deemed a success in Honduras with the 
hope of future operations to further the fight against this 
dangerous menace that effects Central America and the United 
States. 
 
5.  POC for this cable is ARSO Bill Stowell 
Williard