VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDG #0651/01 1561834
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051834Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
TO RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUN 0581
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2864
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000651 
 
LAPAZ FOR LAMBERT 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL/LP, INL/PC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: DR PGOV SNAR
SUBJECT: NARCOTICS MAJORS LIST 2010 REQUEST FOR REPORT CARD 
 
REF: STATE 028306 
 
¶1. (U) The Government of the Dominican Republic (GODR) 
continues to make progress in combating the transient flow of 
illicit drugs through the Dominican Republic en-route to the 
United States.  Although the GODR expresses a desire to 
combat criminal activities and continues to cooperate with 
the Government of the United States (USG) on a wide range of 
law enforcement issues including money laundering, 
anti-narcotics activities, community policing, internal 
criminal investigations and more, results have not been as 
positive as hoped for in all areas for a variety of reasons 
and endemic corruption continues to be a major problem. 
Post recommends the Dominican Republic be kept on the 
Majors, List; however, there is no compelling evidence or 
reason to find the Dominican Republic to have failed 
demonstrably. 
¶2. (SBU) The Government of the United States (USG) asked the 
Government of the Dominican Republic (GODR) to cooperate in 
actions designed to build internal capacity in the area of 
Money Laundering and in the seizure of assets associated with 
these activities.  The GODR responded positively in several 
areas.  Examples: 
a.    In an effort to strengthen the GODR's ability to 
investigate and prosecute money laundering activities, the 
NAS developed a twelve module Anti-Money Laundering Course 
for investigators, prosecutors and judges.  To assist our 
efforts, the GODR provided classroom facilities and a well 
publicized opening ceremony was held thus ensuring that 
positive support from high levels was visible.  In addition, 
the GODR scheduled a full complement of investigators for the 
initial training sessions.  However, during the next phase, 
the GODR  canceled prosecutor training at the last moment. 
This caused a significant rescheduling problem and had a 
negative impact on the training curriculum. 
b.    During a joint two-week USG/GODR bulk cash smuggling 
operation called Operation Firewall, U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement (ICE) accompanied by GODR agencies 
conducted inspections at air and sea ports for undeclared 
cash.  This resulted in the seizure of a total of $487,236 
and the arrest of three suspects.  However, an official of 
the GODR returned over $50,000 of the seized monies even 
though it had not been declared by the travelers and the 
Chief of the Dominican customs agency gave directions that 
any undeclared cash in excess of $10,000 by one dollar was to 
be seized.  In addition, as a result of negative press 
coverage, the GODR customs officials ended the operation 
prematurely. 
c.    The GODR Superintendent of Banks is in the process of 
establishing a Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) as part of their 
effort to regain Egmont Certification.  NAS received a 
request from the GODR to assist with the provisioning of UAF 
offices and there has been progress and mutual cooperation in 
this area.  NAS has confidence in the GODR,s efforts toward 
once again becoming Egmont Certified and the USG has found 
the Superintendent of Banks to be a very cooperative partner. 
¶3. (SBU) The USG asked the GODR to increase efforts in the 
interdiction of the estimated 220 Metric Tons of drugs 
passing through the Central Caribbean, much of which transits 
through the Dominican Republic.  Although the GODR expressed 
an attitude of cooperation in this area, successes have been 
very disappointing due to minimal drug seizures to date. 
a.    During 2008 the GODR seized a total of 2,798 kilos of 
cocaine and heroin combined.  This is twenty-seven percent 
less than what was seized in 2007.  Seizures in 2009 have 
been much lower.  The seizures from January 2009 through May 
2009 total approximately 414 kilos of cocaine and heroin 
combined.  Projected out through the end of calendar year 
2009, the total seizure amount would be approximately 1,000 
kilos which would project to a 60 percent decrease in 
seizures from 2008.  When compared to successes in other 
countries, the seizure rate in the Dominican Republic is 
embarrassing.  A factor that impeded the GODR,s ability to 
seize drugs was the loss of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) Blackhawk helicopter support for several 
months.  CBP stopped its support of Operation Broken Bridge 
from October 2008 to January 2009.  After January 2009, it 
provided support on a limited basis by transporting the DNCD 
Tactical Response Team to only non-threatening areas near the 
drop zone.  This loss of support significantly increased the 
challenges of GODR response to air drops made by narcotics 
laden aircraft from Venezuela.  However, despite this 
setback, the GODR should be doing more in the 
counternarcotics area to develop capabilities to seize drugs 
once they are on the ground and before they are distributed. 
b.    The majority of seizures have been of small amounts 
often carried internally by passengers on aircraft, etc. 
Records available to NAS show the largest seizure this 
calendar year was 100 kilos in a marine container and there 
were only seven seizures that exceeded ten kilos each. 
Dominican coastal patrol boats provided by the USG have not 
had a single successful drug interdiction despite several 
attempts.  Therefore, the USG investment of approximately $10 
million in boats has not resulted in drugs on the table; 
however, communications have improved.  On the positive side, 
three months ago the new Dominican Navy Chief, Admiral Lajara 
Sola, was appointed and he has been very proactive and is 
implementing promising changes.  Excuses voiced by the 
previous Navy Chief concerning the lack of fuel have been 
dispensed with and Admiral Lajara is committed to keeping the 
boats fully fueled and on patrol.  During a recent meeting 
with NAS and MAAG, Admiral Lajara requested assistance in 
some areas and made it a point that his staff will work 
diligently to interdict illicit narcotics shipments on the 
sea and on the shore.  Admiral Lajara agreed with the NAS 
Director that resources needed to be dependent on results and 
he promised that future results would be forthcoming.  Among 
the changes he has made is the establishment of a Marine unit 
to patrol the coastal terrain. 
c.    This low seizure record is due in part to a lack of 
essential resources coupled with endemic corruption problems 
that have infiltrated the Dominican military.  This limits 
their ability to conduct successful anti-narcotics 
operations.  The U.S. mission is working with host nation to 
improve their capabilities.  NAS and the DNCD have agreed to 
initiate an in-depth assessment of the DNCD to identify areas 
needing improvement and form a structured plan of action over 
a four year period.  This is a positive sign that the GODR is 
reaching out for assistance.  INL is in the process of 
exploring a program to overhaul Dominican Air Force 
helicopters and train pilots on night vision capabilities to 
improve the Dominican capacity to conduct drug interdiction 
operations.  The GODR has enthusiastically embraced this 
concept and will commit substantial resources toward this 
project.  Among the investments the GODR has made is the 
purchase of Super  Tocano aircraft and the formation of 
multi-service anti-narcotic action teams strategically placed 
around the country. 
¶4. (SBU)  The endemic corruption found at all levels of the 
GODR is the underlying reason why counter-narcotics efforts 
are not paying off as well as hoped for in the Dominican 
Republic.  Institutions such as the Directorate to Prevent 
Administrative Corruption and the National Commission on 
Ethics, exist to combat corruption; however, over 20 years 
almost no one has been convicted of corruption.  Also, while 
some big financial crime cases have been successfully 
prosecuted, President Fernandez issued  the 2008 Christmas 
pardons to several persons convicted in the high-profile 
Baninter and Renove cases, prompting general dismay and the 
resignation of Pardon Commission members who said they were 
not consulted.  There is also a growing alarm about the 
violence associated with narco-trafficking, the August 2008 
Paya Massacre of several Colombians being a prime example. 
Not only were military officers involved in that case, but 
the money and drugs seized after the murders subsequently 
disappeared.  Then in May 2009, the death of convicted 
narcotics kingpin, Florian Feliz led to revelations that he 
ran his criminal enterprise from a luxuriously furnished jail 
suite while enjoying books, plasma TV, a fully stocked bar, a 
private kitchen and prostitutes.  On the positive side, the 
DNP Internal Affairs Unit has been conducting investigations 
of corruption and misbehavior among its ranks.  Monthly 
reports are published showing the results of investigations 
and the results have included the arrest of entire police 
units for narcotics associated activities.  Another positive 
signal was the recent promotion of a Navy Officer by Admiral 
Lajara for refusing to take a substantial bribe and then 
taking action against the person offering it.  Although there 
is much work to be done, there have been some good starts. 
¶5. (U)      The USG asked the GODR to be responsive to USG 
requests for the extradition of fugitives wanted in the 
United States and the GODR has been cooperative in this area. 
  During the past two years the GODR has cooperated with the 
USG in the extradition of 10 fugitives in 2008 and five 
fugitives so far in 2009.  In addition, there have been eight 
deportations so far this year. 
¶6. (U)      In conclusion, although the GODR continues to 
have very limited control over its land, sea and air 
sovereignty and this has resulted in little success in 
stopping the flow of illicit drugs, the GODR is implementing 
changes with USG assistance to rectify this situation.  Over 
the next year, post expects to see a substantial increase in 
the amount of drugs and laundered money seized by the GODR. 
Post Point of Contact for this update is Joseph Runyon, NAS 
Director t runyonjh@state.gov or IVG 848-4391. 
BULLEN