VZCZCXYZ0011
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPE #3588/01 3111801
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071801Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7281
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 5247
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7649
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV QUITO 1555
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF STATE AIR WING PATRICK AFB FL
RHEHOND/DIRONDCP WASHDC
RHMFIUU/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC
RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-CI/G-M/G-OLE//
RUCOWCA/COMLANTAREA COGARD PORTSMOUTH VA
RUWDQAA/COMPACAREA COGARD ALAMEDA CA

UNCLAS LIMA 003588 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL/LP 
STATE FOR WHA/PPC 
ONDCP FOR LT COL RONALD GARNER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PE
SUBJECT: NAS MONTHLY REPORT, OCTOBER 2007 
 
 
--------- 
SUMMARY 
--------- 
¶1. (U) The key developments in October 2007: 
 
** Ambassador makes his inaugural trip to NAS-sponsored 
police and eradication facilities in Santa Lucia. 
 
** Eradication total reaches 9,179 hectares of illegal coca 
and no booby traps (IEDs) encountered by eradicators. 
 
** CORAH eradicated replanted coca near Tocache in support of 
the Alternative Development Program. 
 
** NAS Aviation successfully limits UH-2 flight hours; 
exceeds annual limit by less than 1 percent (12 hours). 
 
** At the INL/A conference, NAS-Lima said FY 2008 budget cuts 
could ground part of its fleet and lower CN targets. 
 
** NAS looking to institute an exchange training program with 
a U.S. Air National Guard unit. 
 
** 36 PNP cadets graduate from the first 4-week Tactical 
Jungle Operations Course at Santa Lucia. 
 
** Peruvian Customs target border crossings into Ecuador and 
Chile. 
 
** SUNAT stops airline passenger in Piura carrying $270,000 
wrapped around his body. 
 
** NAS arranges seminar for Congress and the public on 
constitutional issues surrounding the new civil 
asset-forfeiture law. 
 
** U.S. NGO provides technical assistance to Peru's community 
anti-drug coalitions. 
 
** Two G/TIP grants totaling $198,700 are awarded to Peru. 
END SUMMARY 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
AMBASSADOR VISITS SANTA LUCIA POLICE BASE 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
¶2. (U)  On October 26, the Ambassador made his inaugural trip 
to NAS-sponsored police and eradication facilities in Santa 
Lucia.  He was accompanied by Minister of Interior Luis Alva 
Castro and DIRANDRO Director General Miguel Hidalgo.  The 
Ambassador saw CORAH eradicators in action and later received 
briefings on eradication and interdiction operations.  He 
also visited the construction site of the new Police Academy, 
which should be finished early next year, and later spoke 
with police cadets attending the new Tactical Jungle 
Operations Course.  Prior to returning to Lima, the 
Ambassador and the Minister of Interior were given a tour of 
Santa Lucia by its mayor who then announced that Santa Lucia 
was donating land for a new police station. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
ERADICATION NEARING ANNUAL GOAL OF 10,000 HECTARES 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
¶3. (U)  As of October 28, CORAH has eradicated a total of 
9,179 hectares and eliminated 36,890 square meters of 
seedbeds of illegal coca.  No booby traps (IEDs) have been 
found this month; the last one was found on September 22. 
Less than 1,000 hectares are needed to reach this year's 
goal.  In the best case scenario (high productivity, no 
social conflicts), CORAH should surpass the 10,000-hectare 
goal by the end of November.  On October 14, CORAH 
established a new one-day record by eradicating 180.62 
hectares in one day. 
 
¶4. (U)  On October 8, 10, and 11, CORAH eradicated fields of 
replanted coca in the vicinity of Tocache in support of the 
farmers who had signed agreements with the Alternative 
Development Program.  CORAH will maintain a presence in the 
area to remind people that replanted coca will be eradicated. 
 On the October 12, CORAH moved to Uchiza, where the 
eradicators experienced some resistance from the locals on 
six different occasions, but did not delay operations due to 
the effective intervention of DIRANDRO. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
EFFORTS TO CONSERVE UH-2 FLYING HOURS IS SUCCESSFUL 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
¶5. (U)  The program NAS instituted three months ago to 
conserve UH-2 flight hours to avoid exceeding the annual 
limit of 7200 hours specified in the DynCorp contract has 
proven successful.  By the end of the contact year on October 
31, the UH-2s had flown 7212 hours, which represents an 
overrun of less than 1 percent.  The methods and tactics used 
to conserve flight hours did not negatively affect 
eradication or interdiction operations and will be formalized 
and carried over to normal year-round operations.  During the 
NAS-DIRAVPOL quarterly coordination meeting, DIRAVPOL said it 
would try to increase MI-17 helicopter flight hours in 
support of eradication efforts to allow for a reduction in 
UH-2 flight hours. 
 
---------------------------------- 
NAS DIRECTORS CONFERENCE AT INL/A 
---------------------------------- 
¶6. (U)  At the Aviation Management Conference at INL/A 
(Patrick AFB in Florida) on October 23-25, participants 
discussed Peru's strategic counternarcotics goals in the face 
of a $20 million budget cut in FY 2008.  The budget cuts 
could result in a 50 percent reduction in the aviation 
budget, which could ground part of the fleet and lower the 
counternarcotics (CN) targets in Peru.  Specifically, it was 
discussed how to sustain CN aviation support for eradication 
and interdiction operations in Peru, while maintaining INL/A 
standards with minimal contractor presence.  Other issues 
included how to maintain Peruvian pilot capabilities in the 
face of numerous retirements and transfers of PNP aircrews in 
the near future as well as how to avoid unscheduled 
maintenance costs. 
 
¶7. (U)  The NAS Aviation Advisor visited NAS-Bogota to 
explore the possibility of using their NAS/DOD facilities for 
Initial Entry Rotary-Wing Training (IERWT) and flight 
simulation training.  The feasibility of NAS-Lima using these 
facilities is in the initial discussion phase with 
NAS-Bogota.  The idea would be for NAS-Lima to pay for the 
use of Colombia's flight simulators or for the IERWT slots to 
train Peruvian Air Police.  It is not yet clear if this is 
possible or practical.  With the reduction in aviation funds 
in Peru by 50 percent for FY 2008 and 2009, alternative and 
cheaper training facilities and methods must be found. 
DOD-9201 funds for training have also been cut back. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
C-26 AIRCREWS LOOK FOR TRAINING FROM U.S. NATIONAL GUARD 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
¶8. (U)  In an effort to improve the professionalism and 
safety of the C-26 aircraft program, NAS has approached the 
Military Assistance and Advisory Group (MAAG) at the Embassy 
to institute an exchange program with a comparable U.S. 
military unit.  Initial efforts have identified the West 
Virginia Air National Guard, which has training units for the 
C-26, as likely partners in this exchange.  The MAAG is 
working to institute an initial Subject Matter Expert 
Exchange in which members of the West Virginia Air Guard 
would travel to Lima to conduct the initial exchange and 
evaluate the possibility of a long-term program.  The goals 
would include improving FAP aircrew training efficiency as 
well as CN mission effectiveness and safety.  If funding is 
approved by the National Guard, the initial exchange could 
take place by February 2008. 
 
¶9. (U)  The C-26 aircraft that was modified in the U.S. to 
use a digital camera system for CN missions has resumed 
operations using the FLIR instead.  The camera system is 
still in the U.S. undergoing in-flight testing; it is also 
waiting for an export license for shipment to Peru.  Camera 
installation is estimated to begin in mid-November in Lima. 
The other C-26 continues to provide CN logistical support as 
well as transportation for GOP officials such as President 
Garcia and government ministers. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
PNP CADETS GRADUATE FROM JUNGLE OPERATIONS COURSE 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
¶10. (U)  Thirty-six PNP cadets graduated from the first 
4-week Tactical Jungle Operations Course held at the Santa 
Lucia police base on October 26.  They are to be assigned to 
DIRANDRO units east of the Andes when they graduate from 
their five-year officer's course in December. 
 
¶11. (U)  This month, the DIRANDRO unit assigned to the VRAE 
destroyed a total of 29 cocaine-production laboratories 
(including 3 cocaine HCl labs), and seized approximately 1.2 
metric tons of chemical precursors.  In the Upper Huallaga, 
DIRANDRO provided security to CORAH eradicators.  To date, 
DIRANDRO reports the destruction of 541 cocaine-production 
laboratories (including 13 cocaine HCl labs) and the seizure 
of 7.4 metric tons of chemical precursors and 10 metric tons 
of cocaine HCl. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
DRUGS FOUND AT ECUADORIAN AND CHILEAN BORDER CROSSINGS 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
¶12. (SBU) During October, 1,111 kilos of cocaine HCl were 
seized and 80 people arrested for trafficking by SUNAT 
(Peruvian Customs) and the Prosecutor in Piura.  SUNAT 
carried out a CN surge operation on October 17-20 that 
covered all 4 official border crossings between Peru and 
Ecuador.  SUNAT used canines, ion-scans, density detectors, 
specialized swipes (hat read if vehicles/items are positive 
for cocaine even if ion-scans are not present), and mobile 
x-ray vans.  This operation seized 65 kg of cocaine HCl.  The 
following week, SUNAT deployed the same specialized teams at 
Tacna on the Peru-Chile border where 0.3 kilos of cocaine HCl 
was seized.  Numerous vehicles tested positive with ion-scans 
for cocaine residue, but no cocaine was found, indicating 
that the surge operation had been compromised.  Ion-scans 
will be permanently deployed at this border station with 
Chile in the near future. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
AIRPORT OFFICIALS SEIZE DRUGS AND CASH 
--------------------------------------- 
¶13. (U)  At the Piura airport on October 12, SUNAT personnel 
arrested a man who was carrying USD 270,000 (in U.S. bills) 
wrapped around his body like contraband.  The money, the 
suspect, and another individual claiming he was the owner of 
the money were detained.  SUNAT declared the money as 
illicit, and there is an on-going investigation of the man 
and the company who employed him.  On Oct 21 in Piura, a 
truck with a false bottom was found to be carrying 800 kg of 
cocaine HCl.  The NAS-sponsored prosecutor ("fiscal") in 
Piura led this investigation, ordering the arrests of 5 
individuals in Piura and one in Ayacucho. 
 
¶14. (U)  At the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, 
173 kg of cocaine HCl were seized, leading to the arrests of 
74 individuals (e.g., internal carriers or "mules" and 
travelers with false bottoms in luggage).  Before NAS bought 
the body scanner for use at the airport, an average of 15 
mules were caught.  With the body scanner, 60 mules are being 
caught with cocaine HCl every month.  This month the body 
scanner identified 50 of the 66 mules arrested.  Year to 
date, 344 mules (304 males and 40 females) have been arrested 
at the airport, resulting in the seizure of 3,654 kg of 
cocaine HCl slated for export.  The Peruvian Post Office 
seized 73 kg of cocaine HCl this month. 
 
---------------------------- 
PERU'S ASSET FORFEITURE LAW 
---------------------------- 
¶15. (U)  NAS coordinated with the Chairman of the Peruvian 
Congressional Committee on Constitutional Issues to arrange a 
seminar for Congress and the public on the constitutional 
issues surrounding the new civil asset-forfeiture law.  The 
law is part of a package of legislation directed at fighting 
organized crime that the Garcia administration created after 
being given legislative authority by Congress in April.  Over 
280 persons, including the Minister and Vice Minister of 
Justice, Congressmen, and senior GOP authorities, attended 
the event.  NAS also supported a visit to Bogota by several 
Congressmen and advisors and the Vice Minister of Justice to 
confer with their Colombian counterparts on its asset 
forfeiture program.  In the coming weeks, the Committee on 
Constitutional Issues will consider and vote on whether the 
Peruvian asset forfeiture law is constitutional. 
 
¶16. (U)  INL DAS Elizabeth Verville and INL Office Director 
David Luna were in Lima for an APEC conference.  While here, 
they met with the new Director of the National Anticorruption 
Office (NAO), Carolina Lizarraga, as well as Beatrice Merino, 
Peru's Ombudsman, to learn more about their efforts to combat 
corruption.  They also discussed bilateral cooperation on 
anticorruption, asset forfeiture, and organized crime issues 
with Justice Minister Zavala, who expressed a strong interest 
in working closely with the United States. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
U.S. NGO TRAINS PERUVIAN DRUG PREVENTION GROUPS 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
¶17. (U) On October 15-19, representatives from the Community 
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), a U.S.-based NGO, 
provided technical assistance to the 12 NGO teams developing 
community anti-drug coalitions (CAC) in FY 2008.  CADCA 
reviewed the CAC Logic Model and Plan of Work for FY 2008 
developed by NAS and the NGO team coordinators.  The 
expansion from 6 to 12 CACs requires more training to ensure 
that the CAC model is consistently replicated and becomes 
sustainable. 
 
------------------------------------- 
TWO PERUVIAN NGOS AWARDED TIP GRANTS 
------------------------------------- 
¶18. (U)  This month, two NGOs have received 
Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP) grants from FY 2006 G/TIP funds. 
 One grant ($100,000) will work primarily with local 
governments in the Lima Metropolitan area to educate 
officials on the dangers of TIP and to initiate local 
programs with municipal child-protection offices to report 
TIP activities and protect victims.  The second grant 
($98,700) is being given to the Sisters of Adoration who 
manage three shelters for sexually abused adolescent girls 
who are usually also TIP victims.  The shelters in Lima, 
Callao, and Chiclayo protect, educate, and provide job skills 
for victims.  NAS will be monitoring the results and handling 
the accounting for both projects. 
 
MCKINLEY