This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BUENOS AIRES 003490 
 
SIPDIS 
 
INL FOR TOM MARTIN 
JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMILS, AND NDDS 
TREASURY FOR FINCEN 
DEA FOR OILS AND OFFICE OF DIVERSION CONTROL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR PGOV AR PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: ARGENTINE CHAPTER OF 2004-2005 INCSR PART I 
 
REF: STATE 248987 
 
¶I. Summary 
 
¶1.  Argentina is not a major drug producing country, but it 
is a transit country for cocaine flowing from neighboring 
Bolivia, Peru and Colombia primarily destined for Europe. 
Argentina is also a transit route for Colombian heroin en 
route to the U.S East Coast (primarily New York).  Due to its 
advanced chemical production facilities, Argentina continues 
to be a source for precursor chemicals.  According to 
Argentine Government (GOA) statistics, there was more cocaine 
seized in the first three quarters of 2004 than in the entire 
2003 calendar year.  In addition to Argentine traffickers, 
there is evidence that Colombian drug traffickers have 
greatly increased their presence in all aspects of the 
Argentine drug trade.  In 2004 there was an increase in 
domestic cocaine production using coca base imported from 
Bolivia.  In late 2004, the GOA seized a Colombian-run 
cocaine laboratory located in the Buenos Aires area 
reportedly capable of producing up to 300 kilos of cocaine. 
This may signal a new chapter in the global war on drugs, as 
Colombian narcotics traffickers search out alternative bases 
of operations and transit routes in response to the increased 
pressure of Plan Colombia.  Also of concern is that according 
to GOA statistics, domestic drug use continues on the 
upswing.  The dangerous trends of increased domestic drug 
consumption and production coupled with the increased 
activity of Colombian drug traffickers are indications that 
the situation in Argentina is at a crucial point. 
 
¶2.  The GOA recognizes the increase in narcotics trafficking 
and consumption, and during 2004 has taken concrete steps 
toward combating these growing problems.  In September, 
following ten years of negotiations, the GOA signed an INL 
Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the U.S., both demonstrating 
its increased willingness to work with the U.S. on narcotics 
related issues, and enabling the U.S. to begin providing 
assistance to the GOA.  In December, the Ministry of the 
Interior started developing a National Security Plan 
targeting specifically the area of drug trafficking along its 
border area with Bolivia and Paraguay, and has requested DEA 
assistance in both the planning and execution phases of this 
vital process.  Also in December, the GOA cabinet office in 
charge of prevention issues (SEDRONAR) announced plans to 
create the first ever national drug prevention plan 
emphasizing youth education and public awareness.  SEDRONAR 
has asked Post,s INL representative to be involved in the 
project and to assist in obtaining regional expertise from 
neighboring countries.  Narcotics use and trafficking are 
important issues in Argentina, and the GOA,s relationship 
with the USG in narcotics-related issues is extremely close 
and positive.  Argentina is a party to the 1988 UN Drug 
Convention. 
 
II.  Status of Country 
 
¶3.  While cocaine production is increasing, Argentina is not 
a major drug producing country.  Because of its advanced 
chemical production facilities, it is one of South America's 
largest producers of chemicals used to manufacture almost all 
the precursors necessary to process cocaine and heroin. 
Marijuana remains the most commonly smuggled and consumed 
drug, with cocaine HC1 and inhalants ranked second and third. 
 Recently the use of Paco, coca base mixed with toxic 
chemicals, has increased in Argentina.  Paco is a relatively 
inexpensive and addictive drug similar to crack, and is 
popular among low-income youth.  Bolivia is the primary 
source of narcotics entering Argentina, but narcotics also 
enter via Paraguay and Brazil.  The trafficking of Colombian 
heroin through Argentina to the U.S. East Coast has decreased 
in 2004 due to the capture of a well-organized heroin 
trafficking ring in December 2003, but heroin trafficking via 
commercial air carriers remains a concern.  Seizures of 
amphetamines and ecstasy (MDMA), a synthetic stimulant with 
hallucinogenic properties, are increasing. 
 
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2004 
 
¶4.  Policy Initiatives.  The government actively targets the 
trafficking, sale, and use of illegal narcotics.   Internal 
Security is one of the highest profile issues in Argentina 
today, and the fight against crime in Argentina is synonymous 
with the fight against drug traffickers and drug use.  In 
September 2004, President Nestor Kirchner moved the Security 
Secretariat from the Justice Ministry back to the Ministry of 
 
SIPDIS 
the Interior, a move that is widely seen as significantly 
raising the profile of security related issues.  In December 
2004, the Interior Minister announced plans to develop a 
national security plan to deal with the drug trafficking 
problem.  The Interior Ministry is working with SEDRONAR, the 
Gendarmeria National (border guards), Aduanas (Customs), the 
Federal Police and Provincial leadership and law enforcement 
on this issue. 
 
¶5.  Accomplishments.  From November 2003 to October 2004, the 
DEA-funded Northern Border Task Force (NBTF) seized in excess 
of 54,910 kilograms of illicit chemicals, down significantly 
from 153,569.50 kilograms during the same period in 2003. 
While the amount of illicit chemicals seized was down in 
2004, the amounts seized indicates that chemical diversion 
remains a serious problem.  The NBTF and Group Condor seized 
691 Kilograms of cocaine, including base, and arrested 139 
traffickers in FY2004 as compared with 507.88 kilograms of 
cocaine and 207 traffickers in 2003.  A major benefit derived 
from these operations has been the enhanced cooperation 
between the agencies in the conduct of joint investigations. 
 
¶6.  According to statistics provided by SEDRONAR, in the 
first nine months of 2004, GOA law enforcement seized 12 
clandestine cocaine laboratories capable of processing an 
estimated 565 kilograms of cocaine.  Not included in 
SEDRONAR's statistics is the November 2004 GOA seizure of the 
largest cocaine lab ever discovered in Argentina, reportedly 
capable of producing more than half as much cocaine as all 
the other labs seized in 2004 combined.  In comparison, eight 
labs were seized in 2003, and only 15 small labs were seized 
between 1999 and 2002. 
 
¶7.  According to SEDRONAR, 2,155 kilograms of cocaine were 
seized in the first three quarters of 2004, compared to 1,918 
kilograms of cocaine for all of 2003.  Also according to 
SEDRONAR, 43,920 kilograms of marijuana were seized in the 
first three quarters of 2004, compared to 45,553 kilograms 
during the same period in 2003.  SEDRONAR also reports that 
29.8 metric tons of coca leaf were seized during the first 
three quarters of 2004, down sharply from the 39.5 metric 
tons seized during the same period in 2003.  Seizure totals 
for the last three years are considerably lower then the 91.3 
metric tons seized in 2001. 
 
¶8.  Law Enforcement Efforts.   The Ministry of the Interior, 
in coordination with SEDRONAR, directs federal 
counternarcotics policy.  The primary federal forces involved 
are the Federal Police, the Gendarmeria, Aduanas, National 
Air Police (PAN), and the Prefectura Naval (Coast Guard). 
Provincial police forces also play an integral part in 
counternarcotics operations.  The GOA has recently signaled 
an increased dedication to combating both narcotics 
trafficking and consumption and are actively taking measures 
to increase coordination between the various law enforcement 
agencies. 
 
¶9.  All of Argentina's security forces face continuing severe 
counternarcotics budget limitations which have hampered 
investment in training and equipment.  Also, weak 
coordination between law enforcement agencies continues to 
lessen GOA effectiveness.  The GOA recognizes these problems 
and has taken steps to alleviate them.  The Gendarmeria, for 
example, has been authorized to recruit an additional 2,000 
members in 2004 and one of the primary goals of the proposed 
National Security Plan is to seek methods to greatly increase 
interagency cooperation. 
 
¶10.  Corruption.   Corruption remains a high profile issue in 
Argentina and the GOA continues to make efforts to eliminate 
corruption and prosecute those implicated in corruption 
investigations.  The GOA has created the Anti-Corruption 
Office within the Executive Branch that is responsible for 
investigating suspected instances of corruption.  Since its 
inception, the office has initiated more than 1,000 
investigations, some of which in recent months have either 
gone or are heading to trial.  In 2004, the former 
Environment Secretary Maria Julia Alsogaray was convicted on 
corruption charges and is currently incarcerated.  The GOA 
does not facilitate illicit production or distribution of 
narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances 
or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. 
 
¶11.  Agreements and Treaties.  Argentina remains very active 
in multilateral counternaroctics organizations such as the 
Inter American Drug Abuse Commission, the International Drug 
Enforcement Conference (IDEC), and the United Nations Drug 
Control Program.  The GOA hosted the IDEC in 2000 and played 
an active role in IDEC 2001-4.  In 2004, Argentina continued 
to urge MERCOSUR (Common Market of South American Nations) to 
play a larger role in money laundering and chemical precursor 
diversion investigations. 
 
¶12.  Argentina is a party to the UN convention Against 
Transitional Organized Crime and two of its protocols 
(trafficking in persons and alien smuggling), and has signed 
but not yet ratified the third protocol (firearms).  The GOA 
has bilateral narcotics cooperation agreements with many 
neighboring countries.  The United Kingdom, Germany, 
Australia, France and Italy provide limited training and 
equipment support.  In 1998, a witness protection program for 
key witnesses in drug-related prosecutions was created.  In 
1997, the U.S. and Argentina signed a new extradition treaty, 
which entered into force on June 15, 2000.  A Memorandum of 
Understanding between the U.S. Department of the Treasury and 
SEDRONAR dealing with the exchange of financial information 
relating to money laundering was also signed in 1995.  In 
1990, Argentina and the USG signed a mutual legal assistance 
treaty that entered into force in 1993.  Argentina is a party 
to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. 
 
¶13.  Cultivation/Production.  Illicit cultivation of 
marijuana remains negligible, and no other narcotics are 
cultivated in Argentina.  There was a large increase in both 
the number and size of clandestine cocaine laboratories 
seized in 2004 that indicates an increase in domestic 
narcotic production, but the amount of cocaine produced 
annually in Argentina is still small when compared to other 
nations in the region. 
 
¶14.  Drug Flow/Transit.  Most Argentine officials agree that 
drug trafficking is a growing problem.  The bulk of cocaine 
and marijuana enters Argentina via Bolivia utilizing the 
remote and often rugged land border between Bolivia and the 
provinces of Salta and Jujuy.  Narcotics smugglers also move 
cocaine and marijuana across the river border between 
Paraguay and the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes. 
Heroin and some cocaine enter Argentina via commercial 
aircraft.  Increasingly, GOA officials are becoming concerned 
about the use of small private aircraft to carry loads of 
narcotics into Argentina from Bolivia and Paraguay.  GOA 
officials acknowledge that only a small percentage of 
Argentine airspace is covered by radar and, in the absence of 
effective radar information, it is simply impossible to gauge 
the number of aircraft entering Argentina undetected.  The 
GOA recognizes the lack of radar coverage and is actively 
pursuing the purchase of several mobile radar units.  Based 
upon intelligence reporting, Post,s DEA Attach believes the 
highest volume method of narcotics transportation from 
Argentina is via containers passing through Argentina's 
maritime port system.  As a member of MERCOSUR, Argentina 
cannot open and inspect sealed containers from another member 
state that pass through the country without direct 
intelligence on a specific container.  These uninspected 
containers are considered to be a high trafficking threat. 
Narcotics also are shipped out of Argentina using  commercial 
aircraft, and in some cases, by cruise ship passengers. 
Couriers of cocaine from Argentina are primarily destined for 
Europe.  Couriers of heroin are primarily destined for the 
United States. 
 
¶15.  Demand Reduction Programs.  SEDRONAR is charged with 
coordinating the GOA,s demand reduction efforts and in 
December the newly-appointed head of SEDRONAR directed his 
staff to develop a comprehensive demand reduction plan 
focusing on youth education and public awareness.  Drug use 
is treated as a medical problem and addicts are eligible to 
receive federal government-subsidized treatment.  Buenos 
Aires province, the most heavily populated province and also 
the one with the largest number of regular drug users, has 
its own well-established demand reduction program. 
IV.  U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs 
¶16.  Policy Initiatives.  The September 2004 signing of the 
LOA has allowed Post to receive an INL budget for the first 
time since 1995 and begin providing much needed training and 
assistance.  However, as Argentina remains under Brooke 
Amendment Sanctions for failure to make payments on a 
bilateral loan, this may affect Post's ability to provide 
assistance.  As mentioned above, the GOA is embarking on the 
creation of both a national security plan focusing on 
narcotics interdiction and a national drug prevention plan. 
The GOA has asked for Post,s input and assistance with both 
plans. 
 
¶17.  Cooperation between the USG and Argentine authorities, 
both federal and provincial, continued to be excellent in 
¶2004.  During 2004, USG assistance supplied a wealth of 
equipment and training programs for Argentine law enforcement 
personnel.  Examples of USG-funded programs in 2004 include: 
Two law enforcement tactical training courses provided by 
DEA;  a money laundering course sponsored by the Department 
of Homeland Security (ICE);  an airport narcotics 
interdiction course sponsored by DEA/INL;  and a prevention 
seminar held in conjunction with SEDRONAR sponsored by PAS 
and INL.  DEA/INL also sponsored several GOA law enforcement 
professionals, participation in regional training programs. 
In addition to providing valuable training opportunities, 
Post,s DEA detachment supports the Northern Border Task 
Force (NBTF), Group Condor, and starting in 2004, the Mendoza 
Airport Task Force.  The DEA-supported task forces 
demonstrate the benefits of interagency cooperation, and GOA 
officials have expressed interest in expanding the program to 
develop task forces in other narcotics trafficking hot spots. 
 
¶18.  The Road Ahead.  The GOA is taking concrete steps to 
combat both narcotrafficking and drug use, and Post will 
continue to assist and encourage the GOA in this process. 
The signing of the LOA has created a window of opportunity 
for even greater cooperation, and Post will diligently seek 
out still more opportunities to constructively engage the GOA 
on narcotics issues.  Possible areas of further cooperation 
include expanding the task force program to include the 
creation of a Tri-border task force in the province of 
Misiones and a Port of Buenos Aires task force to control 
narcotics trafficking between Buenos Aires and Uruguay.  Post 
will also continue encouraging the GOA to work toward 
improving its radar system in the border area. 
GUTIERREZ