VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #1108/01 0922144
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 022144Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8111
INFO RHEHOND/DIR ONDCP WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//SCJ2/SCJ3/SCJ5//
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF STATE AIR WING PATRICK AFB FL

UNCLAS BOGOTA 001108 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR INL/LP AND INL/RM 
DEPT FOR WHA/AND 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO
SUBJECT: NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2009 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Due to poor weather, 6,410 total hectares were 
sprayed in February; eradication aircraft were involved in one 
hostile fire incident.  February's operations in Tumaco included 
several NAS humanitarian missions to aid victims of floods and 
violence.  The GOC's 2009 manual eradication campaign startup was 
postponed to March 1 and the goal reduced to 70,000 hectares from 
100,000 hectares in 2008.  ARAVI's NAS-supported fleet flew 1,417 
mission hours in February.  Interdiction elements, the 'Carabineros' 
or 'rural police' and DIRAN's Ports and Airports Area teams were 
involved in multiple joint operations that led to seizures of 
precursor chemicals, narcotics, assets, and captures of criminals. 
The ongoing Jungla International Course includes 57 Colombian 
students and 49 foreign students from 12 Latin American countries. 
The 19th environmental verification mission is scheduled to take 
place March 24-April 4.  The desertion rate of narcoterrorists 
continued at nine people deserting per day, although Ministry of 
Defense's budget shortfalls threaten the progress of the 
demobilization program. Presidential decree 613 allowed for 
demobilized former FARC 47 Front Commander "Karina" and "Saldana" to 
be released from prison and serve the remainder of their sentences 
under house arrest, becoming "messengers of peace."  On February 24, 
the GOC released the National Household Drug Survey executive 
summary results that showed that 9.1 percent of Colombians have 
tried an illegal substance at least once in their lifetimes.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
---------------------------- 
AERIAL ERADICATION PROGRAM 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) In February, 6,410 total hectares were sprayed.  Poor 
weather continued to affect spray production, with slight 
improvement toward the end of the month.  The CONDOR team, based in 
Caucasia and Barrancabermeja, sprayed 2,980 hectares and the LOBO 
team in Tumaco sprayed 3,429 hectares.  This brings the calendar 
year total to 12,279 hectares of coca sprayed.  Eradication aircraft 
were involved in one hostile fire incident in February resulting in 
one impact.  This brings the total for the year to four hostile fire 
incidents and a total of four impacts. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Caucasia campaign, in spite of continuous poor weather, 
produced just under 4,000 (3,959) hectares.  The spray package was 
preceded in Barrancabermeja by BCNA units supported with PCHP 
assets.  This strategy formed part of a concerted effort to offset 
the historically high number of hostile fire impacts received in 
this area.  The strategyhad the desired effect, as we suffered only 
one impact for the month of February.  Additionally, the use of 
three strategically-placed FARPs (forward refueling points) is 
partially negating the effects of weather, and ensuring that 
Barrancabermeja campaign goals will be reached.  The Tumaco area 
continued to experience heavy rainfall.  Heavy flooding affected 
both indigenous populations and CNP spray operations.  February's 
operations in Tumaco included several NAS C-27 humanitarian missions 
to move relief supplies.  2009's spray operations continue to be 
carried out in improved coordination with Accion Social's manual 
eradication efforts.  Aerial eradication continues to remain 
flexible, adjusting to manual eradication changes and increasing 
synergy with the GOC's strategic eradication efforts. 
 
-------------------------- 
MANUAL ERADICATION PROGRAM 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The GOC's 2009 manual eradication campaign, initially 
scheduled to kick-off on February 15, was postponed to March 1 due 
to administrative problems that have slowed down the contracting of 
civilian eradicators.  The 2009 manual eradication goal has been 
reduced to 70,000 hectares (compared to 100,000 in 2008) due to 
budget cuts and will again focus on all major coca growing regions 
in Colombia, including the Ecuador border region that is currently 
off limits to aerial eradication.  After falling short of 
eradication goals for poppy in 2008, this year the antinarcotics 
police plan to intensify efforts to attack poppy cultivation and 
will dedicate one of the 20 Carabinero police units providing 
security to manual eradicators for poppy eradication operations. 
After record marijuana seizures in 2008, the director of the 
antinarcotics police has also stated interest in increasing 
marijuana eradication in the Sierra Nevada region of Colombia. 
Separate from the manual eradication program, the Colombian Army and 
the Colombian National Police conduct manual eradication as part of 
their normal operations.  Through February, approximately 1,000 
hectares of coca have been manually eradicated by army and police 
units. 
 
----------------------------- 
COLOMBIA NATIONAL POLICE (CNP) 
AIR SERVICE (ARAVI) SUPPORT 
----------------------------- 
¶5. (SBU) ARAVI's NAS-supported fleet flew 1,417 mission hours in 
February.  The seven UH-60 Black Hawks closed out the month with 166 
flight hours and an Operational Readiness (OR) rate of 65 percent. 
One UH-60 is being repaired by the factory and should be operational 
next month. 
¶6. (SBU) The Bell 212 fleet flew 159 mission hours with an OR rate 
of 67 percent.  Two Bell 212's have yet to be inducted to the 
Service Life Extension Program/Rewire.  The Huey II OR rate was 66 
percent while flying 696 hours.  Two Huey II aircraft, or six 
percent of the fleet, is currently undergoing depot maintenance for 
structural repairs. 
¶7. (SBU) The DC-3 fleet flew 231 hours in February, with an OR rate 
of 44 percent; one DC-3 is undergoing a 2,000-hour inspection, and 
another DC-3 was lost during a ground incident (explosion) at 
Airport Olaya Herrera Medellin, Department of Antioquia, on February 
¶18.  An incident investigation is underway.  The last C-26 
Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Aerial Platform (ISRAP) 
PNC 0224's expected delivery is April 2009. 
------------ 
INTERDICTION 
------------ 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The Colombian National Police (CNP) seized 6.7 metric tons 
of cocaine hydrochloride (HCl) and cocaine base, 9.6 metric tons of 
marijuana, and 162 kilograms (kgs) of heroin.  The CNP also 
destroyed 15 cocaine HCl labs, 138 coca base labs, and captured 
1,553 metric tons of precursor chemicals. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Highlights for February include the notable seizure of 
1,553 metric tons of precursor chemicals.  The DIRAN (Colombian 
Antinarcotics Police Directorate) conducted a major surge operation 
against cocaine precursor chemicals focusing on supply networks in 
both Bogota city and the Casanare Department.  Precursor chemicals 
included cement, diesel, gasoline, sulfuric acid, acetone, and 
potassium chloride.  DIRAN targeted (through human and technical 
intelligence) gas stations, hardware and agricultural supply stores. 
 On February 2, the DIRAN Uraba Section captured 1.15 tons of 
cocaine at a road checkpoint near Chigorodo, Antioquia Department. 
On February 5, the DIRAN Tulua Junglas captured 58 kilograms of 
cocaine at a road checkpoint near La Cruz, Nario Department.  On 
February 7, the DIRAN Uraba Company captured eighty kilograms of 
cocaine camouflaged in a refrigerator truck in Turbo, Antioquia 
Department.  On February 11, the DIRAN Intelligence Group in Santa 
Marta passed information to the DEA regional headquarters in 
Cartagena leading to the seizure of a go-fast boat carrying 600 
kilograms of cocaine; a French Navy vessel, operating in 
international waters off the coast of the Guajira Department, made 
the seizure.  On February 12, DIRAN seized 150 kilograms of cocaine 
hidden in a false compartment of a vehicle stopped near Planeta 
Rica, Cordoba Department.  On February 15, the DIRAN Western Zone 
captured 453 kilograms of cocaine transported in a "go-fast" in 
international waters near Bahia Solano, Chocs Department.  On 
February 18, the DIRAN Northeastern Zone destroyed a cocaine HCl lab 
containing 418 kilograms of cocaine near Cucuta, Norte de Santander. 
 On February 21, the DIRAN Heroin Group seized 22 kilograms of 
heroin hidden in the gas tank of a vehicle near Caucasia, Antioquia. 
 On February 25, DIRAN executed "Operation Iceberg, Second 
Generation," simultaneously in Cali, Cartagena, and Barranquilla, 
capturing 13 people (including three sons of extradited 
narcotrafficker Gilberto Rodriguez) and seizing 16 properties in 
asset forfeiture.  On February 27, the DIRAN seized an improperly 
documented single engine aircraft near Espinal, Tolima. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Several DIRAN courses are underway at the Antinarcotics 
Police Training Center in Pijaos, Tolima to include the 23-week 
Combat Medic Course (40 students), the seven-week Explorer Course 
(for scout/reconnaissance teams), the eight-week Explosives and 
Demolitions Course (45 students), and the 18-week Jungla (Colombian 
Antinarcotics Police Airmobile Commandos)International Course (106 
students).  The Jungla International Course includes 57 Colombian 
students and 49 foreign students from 12 Latin American countries 
(Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil).  The 
Panama Frontier Force sent a contingent of 25 students.  The 
Panamanian students have performed well in this challenging course. 
The US Army 7th Special Forces Group's five-week course (40 Jungla 
students) entered into the final phase, focusing on Close Quarters 
Combat. 
 
--------------------- 
MARITIME INTERDICTION 
--------------------- 
 
¶11. (SBU) Based on human intelligence source, a Naval Intelligence 
Group (GRUIN in its Spanish acronym) infiltrated a location in 
Cordoba from the sea and was able to locate a small weapons cache 
containing eight AK-47s, seventeen AK-47 magazines, two pistols and 
various ammunition belonging to alias "Don Mario".  In a Joint USCG 
/ COLNAV operation, the USSCG Hamilton rescued the crew of a sinking 
go-fast boat.  The four-crew members were turned over to Colombian 
Navy (COLNAV) authorities with one brick (kilogram) of cocaine that 
was found on the sinking vessel.  On February 15, in another joint 
operation, the USSCG Hamilton intercepted another go-fast boat 
containing 454 kilograms of cocaine and 4 crewmembers; the 
crewmembers and cocaine were turned over to COLNAV authorities.  At 
the end of February, based on human intelligence sources, the 
Colombian Coast Guard crew intercepted another sea-going vessel off 
of the coast of Choco (near Bahia Solano) with approximately 3 
metric tons of marihuana. 
 
¶12. (SBU) During a visit to Bahia Solano - a mission-critical 
location off of the coast of Choco - program officer found that the 
Colombian Coast Guard had two go-fasts for its 12 unit members and 
the men did not have adequate billeting arrangements, logistical 
support, fuel storage, communication assets, weapons, safety 
equipment, and adequate interceptors. 
 
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WEAPONS 
------- 
¶13. (SBU) The DIRAN weapon section deployed the majority of its 
manpower to Pijaos during the month of February to support training 
and immediate weapons maintenance in support of manual eradication 
missions. 
 
------------------------------- 
BASE SECURITY/ROAD INTERDICTION/ 
NVD PROGRAM 
------------------------------- 
 
¶14. (SBU) The one-month Base Defense course in San Jose de Guaviare 
began on February 18.  A total of 48 students - DIRAN personnel from 
the base, Carabineros from the Guaviare and Vichada Departments and 
four members of the Joaquin Paris battalion of the Colombian Army - 
began the course. 
 
¶15. (SBU) The IDIQ (indefinite amount/indefinite quantities) 
projects progressed as follows: the Bastion Wall contract for the 
project at San Jose de Guaviare that was completed on January 15 was 
modified to include the installation of three two-story bunker 
facilities.  The Miraflores project contract was finalized and 
personnel and materials began arriving at the site the last week of 
February; the project is scheduled to be completed within 45-60 
days.  The Bastion Wall contract for La Uribe was awarded to and is 
scheduled to be completed in time for the March 12 inauguration of 
the base.  ACS is the primary contractor for San Jose de Guaviare 
and La Uribe and DSS/LLC is the primary contractor for Miraflores. 
 
¶16. (SBU) Planning for the next Joint/Combined Interagency Operation 
Firewall which began in January continued throughout February. 
Timelines have been established for the continued planning, 
coordination, equipment testing and command briefs prior to 
mission(s) execution.  Colombian participants will include the 
Military Forces of the Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force and the 
Police Forces from the Carabineros, Junglas and DIRAN Aviation.  The 
U.S. agencies include DEA, MILGP, Air Bridge Denial, NAS and 
JIATF-S. 
 
¶17. (SBU)  A NAS interdiction night vision goggle advisor completed 
both a basic level maintenance course and the first-ever 
intermediate level maintenance course for DIRAN and Carabinero 
members from throughout the country.  Inspections, required 
maintenance and inventories on Night Vision Devices (NVDs)continued 
at: El Dorado, Guaymaral, Facatativa, Espinal, Pijaos, Cespo and 
DITRA.  Another 185 (for a total of 335), of the 500 NVDs purchased 
for DICAR, arrived in February. 
 
 
 
-------------- 
COMMUNICATIONS 
-------------- 
 
¶18. (SBU) The DICAR radios section traveled throughout Colombia 
supporting its Mobile Training Teams (MTT) in instruction on 
Motorola radios, Thales radios and basic HF Tadiran radios. 
 
¶19. (SBU) DIRAN radio section replaced a Motorola repeater in Cerro 
Kennedy (Santa Marta), which is the most important repeater in the 
zone given its location and vast coverage.  In addition, two 
Motorola repeaters were also installed in the Colombian Marine Corps 
Base in Covenas to support joint counternarcotics operations on the 
North Coast, specifically the Firewall.  The DIRAN radio technicians 
also visited units participating in the Firewall to conduct 
encryption change -ver and radio checks. 
 
¶20. (SBU) Program officer met with TC Gordillo of the CNP to discuss 
Wide Area Network (WAN) expansion project in Cartagena that should 
be implemented in late March 2009. 
 
--------------------------- 
PORT SECURITY PROGRAM (PSP) 
--------------------------- 
 
¶21. (SBU) In February, DIRAN's Ports and Airports Area (ARPAE) unit 
seized 5,000 gallons of liquid chemical precursors( ACPM) and 4.2 
metric tons of solid chemical precursors (sodium carbonate); 80.8 
kilograms of cocaine at the Port of Uraba; 60.9 kilograms of cocaine 
at the Port of Cartagena; 25 kilograms of cocaine, 6.7 kilograms of 
marijuana and 100 grams of heroin at the Airport of Cali; 1.4 
kilograms of cocaine at the airport of Cartagena; USD 22,839 that 
were not declared at the airport of Barranquilla; USD 11,400 that 
were not declared at the airport of Medellin; 72.2 kilograms of 
cocaine, 100 grams of amphetamines, 20.1 of heroin, 69.5 kilograms 
of marijuana, USD 50,654 and 11,956 Euros that were not declared and 
USD 7,900 that had been fabricated.  The DIRAN dogs participated in 
12 drug seizure cases and one weapon seizure.  The process to select 
dogs for the new anti-explosive course finished with seven dogs that 
will start the course during the first week of March. 
 
¶22. (SBU) The DIRAN polygraph unit conducted polygraph exams on 200 
members of the DIRAN's Interdiction, Aviation, Eradication, 
Administrative and Ports and Airports units, supporting the Internal 
Control Group activities on specific cases.  143 of them passed the 
exam, 48 failed, and nine were inconclusive. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
REESTABLISH POLICE PRESENCE PROGRAM (CARABINEROS) 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
¶23. (SBU) During February, the EMCAR Squadrons continued to operate 
throughout the country conducting operations against the Emerging 
Criminal Bands (BACRIM) and providing security along the major lines 
of communication.  The EMCAR also were called on to support a 
large-scale search of a prison near Cali. 
 
¶24. (SBU) NAS turned over the new police station in Guateque to the 
CNP; the station will serve as a base for a carabineros mounted unit 
to conduct rural patrols in the surrounding region. 
 
¶25. (SBU) The training school in Pijaos is currently conducting 
medical, designated marksman, and countermine training with a total 
of 173 students.  The next basic course is scheduled for March. 
 
¶26. (SBU) During February, 204 personnel were captured - one 
FARC/ELN, 35 BACRIM, three narcoterrorists, and 165 common 
criminals; 24 laboratories were destroyed; and 136 weapons, 352 
kilograms of explosives, 150 kilograms of cocaine, 604 kilograms of 
cocaine base, and 62 kilograms of marihuana were seized. 
 
-------------- 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
------------- 
 
¶27. (SBU) In February, the interagency complaints committee received 
65 new claims of alleged spray damage to legal crops.  There are 
currently 692 cases that are being processed by the DIRAN.  This 
means that DIRAN is either awaiting additional information from the 
complainant, the case is being reviewed, or the verification visit 
is pending.  In February, USG paid for 36 complaints, totaling 
167.423.550 COP (approximately USD 79,700.00). 
 
¶28. (SBU) During late February, NAS received 36 complaints from 
USAID alternative development project recipients in Tumaco, Nario 
stating that spray operations occurred on their land.  The 
verification team traveled to Tumaco March 9-10 to conduct the field 
visit.  The meeting to determine compensation for legitimate 
complaints will take place the third week of March. 
 
¶29.  (SBU) The 19 verification mission is scheduled from March 
24-April 4.  The verification team plans to visit Caucasia, 
Guaviare, Meta, Caquet y Nario. 
--------------------------------- 
INDIVIDUAL DEMOBILIZATION PROGRAM 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶30. (SBU) The Ministry of Defense's (MOD) demobilization program 
continues into 2009 with high desertion rates of approximately nine 
people deserting per day.  The most common motivations for desertion 
are abuse by commanders and military pressure.  Information provided 
by the demobilized persons about their former organizations remains 
one of the best sources of intelligence available to Colombian 
security forces.  Large budget shortfalls have not yet been 
remedied, impacting plans for communicating demobilization message 
deep into the countryside, payment for valuable information, 
prevention of illegal recruitment and psychological/social 
assistance. 
 
¶31.  (SBU) Intense legal and political coordination between the 
Presidency, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Interior 
and Justice concluded in February permitting the first results of 
Presidential decree 613.  Demobilized former FARC 47 Front Commander 
Elda Neyis Mosquera Garca ("Karina") and Ral Agudelo Medina 
("Saldana"), will be released from prison and serve the remainder of 
their sentences under house arrest from where they will "promote 
peace and respect for international human rights." 
 
---------------------- 
DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION 
---------------------- 
 
¶32. (SBU) On February 24, the GOC released the National Household 
Drug Survey executive summary results that showed that 9.1 percent 
of Colombians have tried an illegal substance at least once in their 
lifetimes.  Complete results will be available in a couple of 
months.  NAS/INL provided almost half of the funds to conduct this 
first nation-wide drug consumption survey to take place since 1996, 
and NAS served as a member of the technical committee composed of 
the UNODC, Ministry of Social Protection, and the Directorate of 
Dangerous Drugs (DNE in its Spanish acronym). 
 
BROWNFIELD