TNAG-1709-FCO40-2384-Hong-Kong-narcotics-offences-and-drug-trafficking-1988 — Page 22

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thus

single command,

eliminating previously existing rivalries. The first director of anti-narcotics, BG Miguel A. Gomez Padilla, is a highly professional and effective leader. The result has been improved performance on nearly every front.

He

and

General Gomez has demonstrated initiative in attacking both the cocaine and marijuana industries simultaneously. has emphasized early herbicidal eradication of cannabis continued bulk seizures of processed marijuana (see table below). On June 11, DAN launched a six-helicopter/145-troop operation in

south against cocaine processing laboratories. It is scheduled to last 90 days, to be conducted in 30-day phases in three geographic regions. During the first month, more than 390 laboratories (mostly coca base operations), and over 900 kilos of base have been seized and destroyed.

the

Lack of a lead host country investigative agency to attack the narcotics trafficking infrastructure with sophisticated investigative techniques has been the single greatest weakness of the overall program. The GOC has designated 39 justices to specialize in handling narcotics cases. Eventually, a group of judicial police with national jurisdiction are to be selected to assist these judges which may constitute the desired elite investigative unit which the United States has encouraged Colombia to establish.

Lack of an identifiable herbicide needed to begin a соса eradication program constitutes another gap. While selected key officials within the GOC appear committed to herbicidal eradication, environmental concerns dictate the need for study and the coordinated development of an experimental program among several interested agencies. This is being considered by the National Council of Dangerous Drugs (NCDD).

On June 25, 1987, the Colombian Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the legislation ratifying the US-Colombian extradition treaty. The decision was made by an alternate magistrate selected to break a 12-12 tie by the court. The decision has made

the treaty unenforceable in Colombia, although the GOC agrees with the U.S. position that the treaty remains in force under international law. The GOC has set up a special commission to study the implications of the court's ruling and alternatives that may be used to continue with extradition `(especially the Montevideo Convention). Since last January, 3 persons have been extradited to the United States: Carlos Lehder on February 4, Oscar Garcia on April 25, and Carlos Tulio Gomez on May 23.