Cablegate: Paraguay: Cocaine Seized and Politician's Son

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAC #0681 1842145
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 032145Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4457
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000681

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SENSITIVE
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INL FOR ABBY SMITH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM SNAR PGOV BR PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: COCAINE SEIZED AND POLITICIAN'S SON
IMPLICATED

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On 6/25, Paraguayan law enforcement
officials seized 195 kg of cocaine in Bella Vista Norte,
arrested five men, and impounded the airplane used in
transporting the drugs. Agents of the National Antinarcotics
Secretariat (SENAD) worked with Paraguay's antinarcotics

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prosecutors and DEA officials in laying the ground work for
this successful operation. One of the Paraguayans arrested is
the son of a well connected Paraguayan politician. This case
demonstrates SENAD's ability and readiness to carry out
complex operations. It will also serve a test of Paraguay's
political will when key political interests come into play.
End summary.

2. (SBU) On 6/25 SENAD agents seized 195 kg of cocaine and
arrested five men in the district of Bella Vista Norte, in
the department of Concepcion, 150 miles northeast of
Asuncion. The plane used for transporting the drugs was also
impounded and remains in custody. Four Paraguayans and one
Brazilian were arrested. One of the men arrested, Cristian
Adilson Villalta Cubas, is the son of an influential Colorado
politician, Faustino Villa Alta, who has strong ties to
President Duarte. Colorado politician Victor Raul D'Ecclesiis
Jiminez was also arrested when the drugs were discovered on
his ranch. Another Colorado politician, Ludovico Godoy, was
implicated but not arrested. Godoy operates the Bella Vista
Norte aerodrome where the plane was found.

3. (SBU) During its investigation SENAD discovered that the
Bella Vista Norte airport was being used in the trafficking
of drugs. The prosecutors of the antinarcotics unit were
informed and accompanied SENAD officials to inspect the
airport. Authorities found the plane they suspected to be
involved, and several men who were washing the interior of
the plane and rearranging the seats to hide traces of drugs.
The cocaine was not found at the Bella Vista airport.
However, using the GPS system in the plane officials were
able to locate a ranch where the drugs had been deposited. A
team of agents went to the location and found the drugs
hidden on the property. In connection to this case,
authorities arrested Paraguayans Victor Raul D,Ecclesiis
Jiminez, Cristian Rodrigo Gimenez Dacunha, Cristian Adilson
Villalta Cubas, and Rafael Contrera Moreira. Authorities also
arrested Brazilian national Eduardo Jose de Araujo who was
the pilot of the plane.

4. (SBU) COMMENT: This case offers evidence of SENAD's, and
in particular Minister Ibarra's, commitment to working
productively with DEA and law enforcement officials to
successfully conduct a complex antinarcotics operation,
follow proper legal procedures, and apply appropriate
investigative techniques. It will also test Paraguay's
ability to prosecute politically connected defendants. End
comment.

CASON

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