VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFN #0344 1991607
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171607Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2049
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000344 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR OIIP, AF/PDPA: KMOSELEY AND JSCHAMING 
DEPT ALSO FOR IIP/G/AF, AF/W Desk 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV OIIP KPAO SL
SUBJECT: "COCAINE SAGA" TOPIC OF GOVERNMENT PRESS CONFERENCE 
 
¶1. Summary: At a press conference on July 17, members of cabinet of 
the GOSL as well as top-level law enforcement officers lauded their 
own handling of the plane that landed July 13 at Lungi airport 
carrying a large quantity of cocaine.  The Minister of Information 
confirmed the detention of 17 individuals at the Pademba Road 
prison, of which 11 are foreign nationals.  The Minister of 
Transportation admitted that one of the arrested suspects, is his 
brother, but denied any involvement. End summary. 
 
¶2.  In his opening remarks, Minister of Information and 
Communications Alhaji I. B. Kargbo reaffirmed the GoSL's commitment 
to pursuing the issue of the plane and its illicit cargo and urged 
the public to support the government's efforts.  He claimed to have 
visited the Pademba Road prison earlier in the day and confirmed the 
detention of 17 individuals in connection with the case, 11 of whom 
are foreign nationals.  Kargbo expressed his intention to read out 
the names and nationalities of the foreign nationals, but was 
discouraged by the Office of National Security (ONS) Coordinator, 
Retired Brigadier Kelly Conteh. 
 
¶3.  Conteh claimed that his ONS had been "collecting intelligence 
and making several presentations to the authorities" regarding drug 
trafficking in the country, and was therefore unsurprised by the 
incident.  He attributed the rate at which investigations have 
progressed to their prior knowledge of those involved in the drug 
trade locally. 
 
¶4.  Conteh said he is not worried about Sierra Leone being 
"blacklisted" for drug trafficking because the government has 
demonstrated the will to investigate and pursue the matter to its 
conclusion.  He affirmed the government's commitment to "get down to 
the bottom" of it and take appropriate action.  Finally, he said 
that President Koroma has issued the Military Aid to Civilian Power 
(MACP) directive to help the security agencies investigate.  As a 
result, military personnel have been deployed at the airport on the 
tarmac, around the perimeter, and near the consignment. 
 
¶5.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, 
Zainab Bangura, also said she was not surprised by the incident, as 
there have been many such incidents around the subregion, including 
a recent seizure of cocaine worth half a billion dollars in Liberia. 
 She said she has been in communication with other governments in 
the region to collaborate on how best to proceed and to ensure that 
any cross-border fugitives are apprehended. 
 
¶6.  Bangura said that the international community have lauded the 
GoSL for their handling of the matter, saying she has not received 
any indications of negative action against the country as a result 
of the incident.  She praised the international response as swift 
and helpful, and called the incident a "blessing in disguise" 
because it may allow Sierra Leone to help other countries overcome 
their challenges in terms of drug trafficking. 
 
¶7.  Bangura also said that many international security agencies have 
arrived in the country to monitor the government's handling of the 
situation, adding that some may be spies for the drug runners.  She 
did not specifically confirm the presence of an FBI team, but rather 
said "FBI, CIA, you name it." (Comment: Embassy cannot verify the 
Foreign Minister's claims.  End Comment) 
 
¶8.  Assistant Inspector General of Police for Crime Services Francis 
Munu said the police have collected sensitive information regarding 
the incident, but refused to disclose it on the grounds that it 
would compromise the investigation.  He said three more Venezuelans 
were arrested last night, bringing the total number of foreigners 
arrested to 11. He said several other people were invited for 
questioning and released but could be helpful to the prosecutions 
during the trial phase. 
 
¶9.  Munu confirmed that an international drug trafficking 
organization is operating in the country.  He said that the SLP has 
discovered that the vehicle used by the traffickers was not properly 
registered.  He reaffirmed the government's commitment to pursue the 
matter, and shared assurances from INTERPOL of their support. 
Finally, he said the police have refrained from indiscriminately 
arresting people to avoid affecting Sierra Leone's international 
image. 
 
¶10.  Transport and Aviation Minister Kemoh Sesay said the plane 
landed forcefully and without authorization. He said the airport 
staff switched off the lights to try to prevent it from landing, but 
the plane's crew landed anyway.  He said he specifically recommended 
to the President that the consignment be handled by an international 
body because Sierra Leoneans generally distrust the police/security 
agencies.  He admitted that one of the arrested suspects, Ahmed 
Sesay, is his brother, but denied responsibility for his brother's 
actions.