TNAG-1709-FCO40-2384-Hong-Kong-narcotics-offences-and-drug-trafficking-1988 — Page 18

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UMOPAR troops in a broad range of field skills to upgrade and professionalize that unit. Plans are to train groups of about 75 officers and men in five week courses over a period of six months, for a total of about 450 trainees. The first class of 70 graduated on June 15.

Other aspects of narcotics enforcement during the period have also shown mixed results. Total seizures for January-June 1987 increased 40 percent over the corresponding period in 1986. A single seizure in a June 6 UMOPAR operation in Santa Cruz Department resulted in the capture of an aircraft loaded with 900 kilograms of cocaine sulfate (coca paste) and arrest of the pilot. However, the U.S. continues to believe that the Bolivians could substantially increase the level of seizures with more energetic enforcement. The amount of narcotics seized is still relatively a small percentage of estimated total production in Bolivia.

DEA continues to work with the Office of Special Investiga- tions (OIE

part of the National Narcotics Directorate) in the cities of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz, but that organization has lacked the leadership, energy and internal integrity necessary to gain DEA's full confidence. UMOPAR cooperation in planning operations with DEA in the Chapare has sometimes been positive, but there have

there have been conflicts when anti-drug operations took place in areas that the UMOPAR did not want to enter. It is obvious that some degree of protection

been extended to narco-traffickers from time to time. UMOPAR personnel changes have occurred frequently, particularly in the Chapare unit, with some positive results. A previous UMOPAR Commander in whom we have full confidence has recently been assigned to the Chapare Command, his presence has already improved cooperation and we hope it will result in

in a return to more sustained, vigorous

Commander

enforcement.

Training has been resumed and a notable improvement has taken place in the cooperation and effectiveness of UMOPAR troops. Two trafficker airstrips were destroyed and the honest and energetic UMOPAR commander is vigorously harassing paste producers and coca trading centers.

Comparative seizure and eradication statistics for the first six months of CY 1986 and CY 1987.

Coca paste and hydrochloride Coca eradication

1986

1987

2,730

3,876

kg

150

25

hectares