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 SAN SALVADOR 003491 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL, WHA/CEN 
JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMLS, AND NDDS 
TREASURY FOR FINCEN 
DEA FOR OILS AND OFFICE OF DIVERSION CONTROL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PINR PINS PREL KCRM KJUS ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: FIRST DRAFT OF 2006 INCSR PART I 
 
REF: SECSTATE 209560 
 
¶1. (U) Per Reftel, the following is Post's first draft of the 
2006 INCSR Part I.  Year-end statistics for CY-2005 are not 
yet available.  Post will add these statistics in January 
2006 and retransmit this report.  Text follows. 
 
¶2. (U) El Salvador 
 
¶I. Summary 
 
El Salvador is a transit country for narcotics, mainly 
cocaine and heroin. In 2005, the National Police seized XXXX 
kilograms (Kg) of cocaine and XXX Kg of heroin.  The Forward 
Operating Location facilities contributed to the seizure of 
XX metric tons (MT) of illicit narcotics in Salvadoran 
territory and disrupted the delivery of XX MT of narcotics to 
the rest of the region.  Salvadoran law enforcement agencies 
cooperated with U.S. authorities on cases that led to the 
U.S. indictments of XX major drug traffickers.  Although El 
Salvador is not a major financial center, assets forfeited 
and seized as the result of drug-related crimes amounted to 
US$XXXXXX.  Salvadoran authorities complied with resolutions 
regarding terrorist assets and did not find assets from 
individuals or entities on the terrorism lists. 
 
II. Status of Country 
 
Located in the isthmus between the United States and the 
major drug producing nations, El Salvador is a transit point 
for trafficking. Cocaine and heroin are the most commonly 
trafficked drugs. Climate and soil conditions are unfavorable 
for coca cultivation. Precursor chemical production, trading, 
and transit are not significant problems. 
 
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2005 
 
Policy Initiatives:  In 2005, the Government of El Salvador 
(GOES), in cooperation with other Central American (CA) 
countries, implemented Operation Controlled (Operacion 
Controlado) to interdict narcotics trafficking through 
Central America.  The operation established joint patrols by 
the anti-narcotics police of each CA country along the 
unmonitored areas on the CA border regions. 
 
Accomplishments:  Several significant developments during the 
year demonstrated the GOES commitment to achieving compliance 
with the objectives of the 1988 Untied Nations Drug 
Convention.  Utilizing a stringent counter-narcotics law that 
came into effect in November 2003, the National Civilian 
Police (PNC) interdicted XX percent more cocaine over the 
preceding year.  Using the same comparison, the PNC arrested 
XX percent more individuals for drug trafficking offenses. 
The GOES seized US$XXXXX in assets linked to narcotics 
trafficking, representing a XX percent increase over the 
US$554,113 seized in 2004. Once convictions are realized, 
seized assets are used to fund law enforcement, drug 
treatment, and drug prevention efforts. 
 
The Embassy-supported Containerized Freight Tracking System 
(CFTS) at the Amatillo border crossing with Honduras began 
operations in July 2004.  The purpose of the facility is to 
permit the GOES to inspect commercial and passenger vehicles 
arriving from Honduras.  In 2005, PNC personnel at the CFTS 
seized XX Kg of marijuana, XX Kg of cocaine, and XX Kg of 
heroin, and arrested XXX individuals for trafficking offenses. 
 
Aircraft deployed to the Forward Operation Location (FOL) at 
the Salvadoran Air Force base in Comalapa track aircraft and 
sea vessels moving north towards the United States.  FOL 
aircraft report their findings to U.S. law enforcement 
agencies, which then notify regional governments.  In 2005, 
cooperation between the FOL, the Embassy, the Salvadoran Air 
Force, and the PNC resulted in the seizure of XXXX Kg of 
cocaine, and the arrest of XX narcotics traffickers by 
Salvadoran officials.  The presence of the FOL in El Salvador 
contributed to an additional total seizure of XX MT of 
cocaine by U.S. law enforcement agencies and other regional 
governments. 
 
In July 2004, the GOES implemented Plan Super Heavy Hand in 
response to rising street gang violence.  Although the plan 
addresses all gang related activity (to include kidnapping, 
rape, extortion, murder, fraud, aggravated theft, human 
trafficking), it also aims to disrupt narcotics trafficking 
and distribution controlled by gangs.  During the year, the 
PNC arrested XXX and convicted XX gang members for drug 
trafficking and distribution offenses. 
 
The GOES actively cooperated with the United Nations Drug 
Control Program.  The obstacles that prevented El Salvador 
from fully achieving all of the objectives of the 1988 United 
Nations Drug Convention included legal impediments and 
limited resources, as discussed below. 
Law Enforcement Efforts:  Salvadoran law enforcement efforts 
are still hindered by constitutional prohibitions against 
investigative tools such as wiretapping.  Investigations were 
further hampered by a lack of cooperation between the 
Attorney General and the police.  Although the Attorney 
General's office did not impede investigations, its failure 
to seek arrest and search warrants in a timely manner 
severely restricted police operations against narcotics 
trafficking.  Overall, the GOES gives a very high priority to 
counter-narcotics law enforcement, but its lack of resources 
and inadequate prosecutorial support limit its ability to 
achieve its counter-narcotics objectives. 
 
Despite a low rate of convictions, law enforcement efforts in 
2005 were adequate, given resource constraints and legal 
impediments.  These efforts were primarily focused on 
priority targets of mutual interest to both the United States 
and the GOES.  Salvadoran police investigators and 
prosecutors traveled to the United States on numerous 
occasions throughout the year to share intelligence and 
coordinate operations.  Joint cooperation led to the 
conviction of William Eliu Martinez, a former Salvadoran 
federal legislator extradited to the United States on drug 
charges.  Apart from joint operations, the PNC seized XXX Kg 
of marijuana, XXX Kg of cocaine, and XXX Kg of heroin.  PNC 
officers arrested XXXX individuals for drug related offenses, 
XXXX of which resulted in convictions. 
 
Corruption:  Under Salvadoran law, using one's official 
position in relation to the commission of a drug offense is 
an aggravating circumstance that can result in an increased 
sentence of up to one-third of the statutory maximum.  This 
includes accepting or receiving money or other benefits in 
exchange for an act or omission in relation to one,s 
official duties.  The PNC's Internal Affairs Unit and the 
Attorney General's Office investigate and prosecute GOES 
officials for corruption and abuse of authority. 
 
In 2005, the INL-supported and U.S.-based National Strategic 
Information Center, in cooperation with the Salvadoran 
Ministry of Education, continued implementing the Culture of 
Lawfulness program in Salvadoran schools.  The program 
focuses on the advantages that accrue to the individual and 
society if everyone follows the rule of law.  Special 
emphasis is placed on the social costs of corruption and 
bribery.  In 2005, XX teachers were trained in the mechanics 
of presenting the program. 
 
As a matter of policy, the GOES does not encourage or 
facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotics or 
psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the 
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.  No 
senior official is known to engage in, encourage, or 
facilitate the illicit production or distribution of such 
drugs or substances, or the laundering of proceeds from 
illegal drug transactions. The GOES has no INL-provided 
aircraft, nor has it misused any other equipment purchased 
with INL funds. 
 
El Salvador is a party to the Inter-American Convention 
Against Corruption.  Consistent with the country's 
obligations under that Convention, the law criminalizes 
soliciting, receiving, offering, promising, and giving 
bribes, as well as the illicit use and concealment of 
property derived from such activity. 
 
Agreements and Treaties:  El Salvador is a party to the 
following international agreements:  the 1971 United Nations 
(UN) Convention on Psychotropic Substances; the 1961 UN 
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 
Protocol; the Central American convention for the Prevention 
of Money Laundering Related to Drug-Trafficking and Similar 
Crimes; the UN Convention against Transnational Organized 
Crime and its protocols; the Protocol against the Illicit 
Trafficking of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air; the Protocol 
to Prevent, Suppress, and Sanction Trafficking in Persons; 
and, the Protocol Against the Manufacture and Illicit 
Trafficking of Firearms, their Parts, Components, and 
Munitions. 
 
The current extradition treaty between the United States and 
El Salvador does not provide for the extradition of 
Salvadoran nationals. Narcotics offenses are covered as 
extraditable crimes by virtue of the 1988 UN Drug Convention, 
to which El Salvador is a party. 
Mutual legal assistance in narcotics cases is available to 
the United States and El Salvador under Article 7 of the 1988 
UN Drug Convention.  In August 2004, El Salvador became a 
party to the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance 
in Criminal Matters, which provides further tools to 
facilitate legal cooperation between the United States and 
the GOES. 
 
There is no bilateral precursor chemical agreement between El 
Salvador and the United States.  Likewise, no maritime 
interdiction agreement exists between the two countries. 
 
Annually, the two governments sign agreements under which the 
United States provides counter-narcotics and law enforcement 
assistance to El Salvador. 
 
Cultivation/Production:  Climate and soil conditions do not 
favor the cultivation of coca plants. Small quantities of 
cannabis are produced in the mountainous regions along the 
border with Guatemala and Honduras.  The cannabis is of poor 
quality, however, and is only consumed domestically. There 
were no gains or setbacks in controlling cannabis cultivation 
and production because the small quantity and poor quality of 
the crop does not justify the expenditure of a systematic 
campaign against it. There is no local methodology for 
determining cannabis crop size and yields. Cannabis is 
detected due to tips, routine foot patrols, and air 
surveillance. 
 
Drug Flow/Transit:  Cocaine and heroin from Colombia 
typically transits El Salvador via the Pan-American Highway 
and maritime routes off the country's Pacific coast.  Most 
drugs transiting by land are carried by commercial bus 
passengers in their luggage.  Both heroin and cocaine also 
transit by go-fast boats and commercial vessels off the 
Salvadoran coast. 
 
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction): The GOES manages its 
demand reduction program through several government agencies. 
 The Ministry of Education presents lifestyle and drug 
prevention courses in the public schools, as well as 
providing after school activities.  The PNC operates a 
D.A.R.E. program modeled on the U.S. program of the same 
name.  The Ministries of Governance and Transportation have 
anti-doping units that advocate drug-free lifestyles.  The 
Public Security Council (Consejo Nacional de Seguridad 
Publica) is actively involved in substance abuse prevention 
within Salvador,s gang communities. 
 
The Embassy-supported Salvadoran NGO FundaSalva works with 
the GOES to provide substance abuse awareness, counseling, 
rehabilitation, and reinsertion services (job training) to 
the public.  In 2005, FundaSalva provided demand reduction 
services to over XXXX individuals.  The Embassy also sponsors 
the U.S.-based "Second Step" program.  Second Step is taught 
in first grade and assists teachers to identify anti-social 
behavior that later leads to substance abuse and violence. 
Other less comprehensive demand reduction programs exist, 
usually faith-based and run by recovering addicts or 
religious leaders. 
 
In addition, as part of Plan Friendly Hand, FundaSalva 
operates an INL-donated laser tattoo removal machine.  Former 
gang members who meet the stringent requirements of gang 
demobilization (leaving the gang life behind) and successful 
substance abuse treatment are eligible to have their gang 
tattoos removed for free.  Removing tattoos decreases the 
possibility of gang recidivism while increasing the prospect 
of finding gainful employment, both of which reduce the 
likelihood of future drug consumption.  In 2005, FundaSalva 
provided tattoo removal services for XXX individuals. 
 
A national survey conducted in 2004 by FundaSalva reveals 
that substance abuse in El Salvador is significant and 
growing.  According to the survey results, seven percent of 
the population (ages 12 to 45) used illicit narcotics in the 
past year, with four percent using drugs within the past 
month.  Fourteen percent of those surveyed admitted to 
ingesting pharmaceutical stimulants and depressants in the 
past year.  First use of alcohol or drugs occurs between the 
ages of twelve and fourteen years old.  Fifty percent of all 
minors surveyed indicated that they had used drugs or alcohol 
on at least one occasion.  Relative to the size of the 
at-risk and addicted populations, demand reduction programs 
are inadequate. 
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs 
Policy Initiatives: U.S. assistance primarily focuses on 
developing El Salvador,s law enforcement agencies, 
increasing the GOES ability to combat money laundering and 
public corruption, and ensuring a transparent criminal 
justice system.  From August 5 to October 8, 2005, U.S. 
government agencies and CA police forces conducted Operation 
All Inclusive to gather intelligence on regional narcotics 
trafficking operations.  The successful operation netted 43 
MT of cocaine, 88 kg of heroin, 27 MT of marijuana, and 372 
arrests. 
 
Bilateral Cooperation: The United States provided funding for 
operational support of Grupo Cuscatlan and the high-profile 
crimes unit (GEAN) within the Anti-Narcotics Police.  The 
United States also funded training and travel related to 
airport security, money laundering, maritime boarding 
operations, and anti-gang measures.  DEA and INL officers 
work closely with the PNC anti-narcotics unit, the PNC 
financial crimes unit, the Financial Investigations Unit of 
the federal prosecutor's office, and the federal banking 
regulators on issues relating to drug trafficking and money 
laundering. 
 
Road Ahead: The United States will continue to provide 
operational support to Salvadoran law enforcement 
institutions, anti-money laundering training, and essential 
investigative tools.  Together with the U.S. Department of 
Treasury, the Embassy plans to provide a secure communication 
link and database to be shared by the police, the Attorney 
General's office, and the banking regulators to facilitate 
money laundering and narcotics investigations. 
Barclay