VZCZCXYZ0017
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMN #0145/01 0721629
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131629Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8879

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000145 
 
SIPDIS 
 
WHA/BSC FOR DASCHBACH 
ALSO FOR INL/RM/MS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR AFIN UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY 2008 END USE MONITORING REPORT 
 
REF: STATE 127211 
 
¶1. Summary:  Post provides herein Embassy Montevideo's 
CY-2008 End Use Monitoring Report in response to reftel.  No 
new equipment was purchased with INL funds in CY-2008.  All 
previously INL-provided material was used appropriately by 
the GOU to effectively enhance counter-narcotics and law 
enforcement efforts.  End summary. 
 
Inventory Management 
-------------------- 
 
¶2. EUM Program Coordinator: Erin Markley,  598 2 418 7777 ext 
2429, markleyen@state.gov. RSO Bill Maxwell will coordinate 
the inventories required for end use monitoring.  DEA's 
regional office in Buenos Aires will provide support as 
needed. 
 
Counterpart Agencies 
-------------------- 
 
¶3. INL funding has provided assistance over the years to the 
following GOU agencies:  the Directorate General for the 
Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (DGRTID), the Coast 
Guard (Prefectura), the National Drug Secretariat (JND), the 
Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU) and the Ministry of the 
Interior (MoI).  For CY 2008, only the DGRTID was required to 
provide an annual inventory report that specified the use, 
status and location of all equipment supplied by the INL. 
The Embassy maintained regular contact with GOU officials 
throughout the year with regard to training opportunities, 
drug seizure statistics, and equipment status in order to 
assess how assets were being employed. All items provided are 
in accordance with Memorandums of Agreement or Letters of 
Agreement. 
 
On-site Inspections and Secondary Methods of Monitoring 
Resource Status 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
¶4. Emboffs conducted one on-site inspection  at one 
counterpart site on equipment purchased since 2003. The 
unscheduled on-site inspection was performed on March 6 2009. 
 Post inspected all items available that had been purchased 
in the last five years (equipment inspected was 
computer-related and has an estimated useful life of no more 
than five years).  Approximately 50% of items were available 
for inspection, as the other 50% are in use in the field, or 
in use at other sites.  Post regularly discussed the status 
of INL-funded resources being used.  Approximately 50% of 
donated items were monitored through discussions. 
 
Status 
------- 
 
¶5. The U.S.-provided computers, monitors, printers and 
servers were in good condition and operated with current 
versions of software.  These systems were used to cultivate 
and analyze intelligence for the GOU's central 
counternarcotics database.  Older computers have been 
restored and sent to police stations throughout the country 
to improve communication and data sharing within the police 
force.  The computers were provided to the DGRTID in 
Montevideo and their satellite office in Rivera, on the 
border with Brazil.  Other commodities include cameras and 
digital scopes which were not monitored because they were in 
use in the field. 
 
 
Inventories 
------------ 
 
¶6. The only donated items that continue to have useful lives 
are computers and their supporting equipment and small items 
used to support field work such as cameras and digital 
scopes. 
 
 
Services 
----------- 
 
¶7. In 2003 INL funds supported public awareness campaigns on 
the risks of drug consumption and how parents can talk to 
their children about drug abuse.  2005 funds supported a 
hotline for drug-related questions and emergencies. 
 
 
Program Impact 
-------------- 
 
¶8. INL funding has made a significant impact in the GOU 
counter narcotics effort, particularly through improved 
wiretapping and collection of evidence.  Computer equipment 
provided to the DGRTID has formed comprehensive information 
networks that are improving data sharing between Uruguay's 
drug enforcement agencies. The newly installed wiretapping 
system and assistance with other evidence collection not only 
allows more accurate interdiction but also amplifies the 
cases against traffickers.  Without INL funding and 
assistance, many anti-narcotics projects would not be 
possible in their current form. 
 
Following are DGRTID's 2008 statistics for arrests and 
seizures: 
 
a) Individuals arrested: 2,280 
b) Criminals prosecuted:  668 
c) Internal market seizures: 1,058,416  kg of marijuana, 
818,552 kg of cocaine, and 95,643 kg of cocaine paste. 
 
Problems and Corrective Action Plans 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶9. GOU Officials have consistently accommodated Embassy 
requests for information and post has documented any 
accountability issues in previous reports.  However, most of 
the equipment to be monitored is computers, which blend well 
with GOU-purchased equipment as well as with donations from 
other entities.  To remedy this, post will mark new 
equipment donated so that it is identifiable for future 
reporting officers. 
Matthewman