TNAG-1709-FCO40-2384-Hong-Kong-narcotics-offences-and-drug-trafficking-1988 — Page 27

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Interior Minister Abel Salinas was replaced on June 29 by Dr. Jose Barsallo Burga. The GOP published its national pla for the prevention and control of drugs in January 1987. The plan outlines the GOP's strategy for drug control through 1990.

The focal point of drug interdiction activities continues to be the Condor Operations in the Upper Huallaga Valley, with helicopter support by the Peruvian Air Force. Aerial support for interdiction efforts has been augmented by three US-contracted Bell 212 helicopters and one fixed-wing C-123 Stol aircraft. These aircraft will support the Condor VI Operation, which commenced in July. Mid-year statistics related to drug interdiction and enforcement follow:

Cocaine HCL

Cocaine base/paste

Coca leaf

Clandestine labs dismantled

Unauthorized airstrips destroyed Drug-related arrests

11.2 kilos 13,101.0 kilos 157,890.0 kilos

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82 2,736

DEA reports that interdiction/enforcement efforts, other than those under Condor, have heen relatively limited in effectiveness and scope. However, Lima Country Office has initiated discussion and planning of new intelligence and interdiction initiatives with Guardia Civil (GC) and Peruvian Investigative Police (PIP) counterparts.

the

The AID-sponsored Center for Drug Abuse Prevention Information and Education (CEDRO) continues to consolidate its program to give the drug problem in Peru national visibility. CEDRO developed a series of three 20-second TV spots which were are aired on all Lima TV stations for 60 days during May-July. Creative support was donated

donated by a

by a local advertising firm and the spots are being aired free of charge. CEDRO continues to train and assist local community groups and to lobby key government officials and sponsor seminars and conferences with private and public sector participation. Drug abuse data: National Epidemiological Study of Drug Abuse in Peru was recently completed and revealed a continued high-level use of alcohol (prevalence: 89 percent had

had used alcohol in their lifetime); a larger-than-expected

larger-than-expected consumption of coca leaf in the urban areas; and a possible 300 to 500 percent increase in the use of all surveyed drugs since 1979 in Lima, including coca paste. Results of the study appeared in the local press and the data obtained therein have been used frequently in newspaper and magazine articles.