Narcotics Affairs Section U.S. Embassy Bogota Colombia

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Narcotics Affairs Section

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Updated: 22/VI/04

Narcotics Affairs Section

The Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá was established in 1985 and is the largest and most complex NAS office in the Department of State. NAS receives program guidance, support and funding from the Department of State's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the executive agency assigned the mission of reducing illicit drug flow into the United States.

NAS Mission

NAS plans and executes Colombian counter-narcotics operations funded under the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and provides training, operations, intelligence, and logistical support to Colombian counter-narcotics programs. NAS provides counter-narcotics policy and strategy guidance to the ambassador and funding and special project/liaison support to other U.S. Embassy and government agencies.

Colombia supplies more illicit drugs to the United States than any other country in the world. It is the world's leading coca producer and cocaine exporter and a growing source of heroin. Ninety percent of the cocaine and most of the heroin in the U.S. market comes from Colombia. Colombian-sourced illegal drugs cost the United States 52,000 lives and $110 billion a year according to the fact sheet Why Americans Should Care about Plan Colombia.

A New Kind of Challenge

The drug trade has become the silent partner of all illegal armed parties in Colombia. During the 1990s Colombian narco-cartels reacted to interdiction of Peruvian and Bolivian coca supplies by moving coca cultivation to Colombia's southwest corner, an area controlled by the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), the country's oldest and largest insurgent group. Guerrillas initially "taxed" narcotraffickers in return for guarding their illegal crops but have steadily expanded control over other aspects of the narcotics industry and are now involved in cultivation, processing and distribution within and in certain areas outside Colombia. The narco-cartels reap enormous profits, which both the FARC and its enemies (right-wing paramilitary units) "tax" in order to buy arms and war supplies. As the struggle has escalated, drug revenues have become the lifeblood of the armed conflict. The drug trade is now an organic part of the Colombian civil conflict, increasing the difficult of reducing the supply of illegal drugs without exacerbating local conflicts and destabilizing the region.

Plan Colombia

The Government of Colombia's (GOC) Plan Colombia focuses on the peace process, the economy, counter-narcotics strategy, justice reform and human rights protection, and democratization and social development. To support Plan Colombia, the U.S. Congress approved and President Clinton signed into law on July 13, 2000, an assistance package of $1.3 billion. The U.S. Government (USG) supports justice sector reform and alternative development projects and provides equipment, training, and technical assistance to Colombian anti-narcotics police and selected military units to increase their capability to eradicate illicit coca and opium poppy cultivation and to interdict narcotics shipments. Initial focus is on the department of Putumayo in southern Colombia, where the majority of illegal crops are cultivated and where the greatest number of illegal armed groups traffic in narcotics.

Narcotics Affairs Section Funding

USG funding is provided to NAS for the GOC's counter-narcotics program from both annual Department of State/Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) appropriations and from the Plan Colombia supplemental appropriation.

The regular appropriation for NAS is $35 million in Fiscal Year 2001, with the largest sums supporting DIRAN air operations ($12 million) and the coca and opium poppy eradication program ($5 million).

The $1.3 billion Plan Colombia supplemental appropriation is resourced to the Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) as follows:

PROGRAM DOS DOD TOTAL

Support in south Colombia $390.5M $51.4M $441.9M

Support for interdiction 129.4M

Support for the CNP 115.6M 115.6M

Alternative/economic development 81.0M

Human rights/Judicial reform 122.0M 122.0M

Development (other countries) 93.0M 93.0M

Interdiction (other countries) 87.0M 201.9M 288.9M

Total $1,018.5M $300.7M $1,319.2M

Poppy field

Support for the Colombian National Police (CNP) Anti-Narcotics Directorate (DIRAN)

DIRAN logo

NAS provides the DIRAN with funding, operations, intelligence, training and logistical support for a variety of programs. The 2,800 member DIRAN represents about 3% of the Colombian National Police (CNP) force, approximately 1,000 of whom support the Air Service.

DOS's Plan Colombia Assistance Package: Includes $115.6M for programs to support the DIRAN in 2000-2001. Key programs and projects are:
Communications Systems: Ground and airborne communications systems, including radios compatible with those used by the Colombian Armed Forces. ($3.0M)
Weapons and Ammunition: Weapons and ammunition for ground and air operations and base defense. ($3.0M)
UH-60 Helicopters: Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, complementing six provided through 1999 funding. The program funds operational support and maintenance costs for two years, as well as training, armament, ground support equipment, and technical assistance. ($26.0M)
Enhanced Logistical Support: A CNP fuel handling system, improvement of the CNP logistical system and integration of NAS and CNP financial management, procurement, and inventory control/end-use-monitoring systems. ($2.0M)
Forward Operations and Force Protection: Construction of CNP border base construction and secure forward operating locations (FOLs). ($5.0M)
Construction of Border Bases: Construction of a small number of permanent CNP bases, plus a larger number of transient facilities on secure Colombian military bases. The permanent bases will extend CNP presence to key border areas. ($5.0M)
Airmobile Infrastructure: Airmobile equipment, communications equipment, training, operations support and construction of airmobile headquarters and barracks. ($2.0M)
CNP Aviation Facility Upgrade: Major structural repairs and a new parking apron at Guaymaral, a hangar expansion, and barracks at the existing facility in Mariquita. NAS will refurbish a portion of a new CNP air service headquarters and hangar at El Dorado airport in Bogotá. ($8.0M)
Spray Aircraft: Nine additional agricultural spray aircraft. ($20.0M)
CNP Aircraft Upgrades: Upgraded avionics in up to 24 Huey II and two Bell 212 helicopters, and armoring and spare parts for up to 15 Huey II helicopters. ($5.0M)
CNP Huey II Helicopters: Upgrade 12 UH-1 helicopters to Huey II configuration and logistically support all Huey II helicopters. ($20.6 M)
Sustainment and Operations: Support CNP air and ground counter-narcotics operations with fuel, ammunition, rations and equipment. ($5.0M)
Training for Pilots and Mechanics: Train pilots and mechanics required by additions to the CNP aircraft fleet. ($2.0M)
Airfield Security Enhancements: Improve security on CNP bases. ($2.0M)
Enhanced Eradication: Equipment, fuel, and herbicide and other operating expenses to expand aerial eradication. ($4.0M)
Spare Parts: Spare parts for Bell 212, Huey II, and UH-60 helicopters and other CNP aircraft. ($3.0M)

Aviation Support - The DIRAN Air Service is the largest police air fleet in Latin American with 58 helicopters and 21 fixed wing aircraft. Air Service support represents almost 50% of NAS direct funds. NAS is responsible for U.S. (Department of State/INL) owned air assets (nine helicopters and 14 fixed wing aircraft) operated and maintained by a USG contractor.

The USG provided $96 million in 1999 and 2000 to acquire six Blackhawk helicopters to enhance the DIRAN's counter-narcotics capability, with pilots and technicians trained in the U.S. DIRANs fleet of Huey helicopters is being upgraded, with 15 completed in 2000 and six scheduled in 2001. Plan Colombia supplemental funds will purchase nine more spray planes and two additional Blackhawks.
Aerial Eradication - The most significant DIRAN project is the combined DIRAN-NAS aerial eradication program, the most ambitious in the world. The goal is yearly net reduction of coca cultivation, eliminating the crop in Colombia within five years. Environment and legal provisions are strictly observed.
The U.S.-supported GOC aerial eradication program in calendar year 2000 effectively sprayed approximately 47,000 hectares of coca and 9,000 hectares of opium poppy. Between December 22, 2000 and February 6, 2001 the GOC sprayed approximately 25,000 hectares of coca in the Putumayo department. Coca was sprayed for the first time in the departments of Norte de Santander, Nariño, and Boyacá, areas in which significant illicit cultivation was seen for the first time in 2000. Illegal paramilitary groups dominate the coca trade in Norte de Santander and Boyacá, thus these operations sent a message the GOC does not tolerate drug traffickers of any stripe.
The only herbicide used in the aerial eradication program is glyphosate, one of the most widely used agricultural chemicals in the world. It is commercially available under many different brands in Colombia and worldwide. The aerial eradication program uses less than 10% of the total amount of glyphosate used in Colombia each year. The remaining is used in the production of coffee; for pre-seeding rice, cotton, corn sorghum, barley and soybeans; for weed control in plantations of fruit trees, plantains, bananas, and African palm; and as a maturing agent in the production of sugar cane. Glyphosate has been extensively tested and evaluated in Colombia, in the United States, and in other countries around the globe and is used in over 100 countries for a variety of agricultural purposes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved glyphosate for general use in 1974 and re-certified it in September, 1993. It is approved by the EPA for use on crops, forests, residential areas, and around aquatic areas. A recent comprehensive review of studies on glyphosate concluded there is no indication of any human health concern. The study, Safety Evaluation and Risk Assessment of the Herbicide Roundup and Its Active Ingredient, Glyphosate, for Humans, was authored by Gary M. Williams, Robert Kroes and Ina C. Munro.
NAS works with the DIRAN to enable Colombia to take full responsibility for the eradication program in the next few years. A three-year goal has been set to phase out the U.S. contractor who provides support for air assets and spray operations. NAS employs advisors to train DIRAN managers in aviation tactics, maintenance, logistics, communications, and managerial skills.
The aerial eradication program will be expanded in 2001 and 2002. The DIRAN, with U.S. support, plans to establish two additional bases for spray and escort aircraft. The goals for aerial eradication in 2001 are 50,000 hectares of coca and 10,000 hectares of poppy.
Interdiction - NAS works with the Colombian National Police (CNP) to disrupt drug trafficking organizations. In this role NAS works closely with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to provide training, equipment and operational support for special investigative units (SIU's) within the CNP as well as personnel from the office of the GOC's public prosecutor's office (Fiscalía). Using DEA funds, NAS provides institutional support for GOC counter-narcotics intelligence, investigative, and enforcement activities.
DIRAN, with NAS support, has implemented an airmobile interdiction project to provide a quick reaction force (QRF) to support interdiction. One company was equipped and JUNGLAS trained in 2000, and two more companies are being equipped and trained in 2001. One company will be based on the Caribbean coast, one near the Pacific coast, and one near Bogotá. The QRF conduct raids to capture drug traffickers, secure evidence for future prosecution and destroy HCl and base laboratories, heroin processing facilities and clandestine airfields. The QRF also support DIRAN eradication efforts by providing security for spray aircraft and at mobile eradication bases.
Chemical Control - Chemical diversion control denies traffickers the precursor chemicals they need to manufacture illicit drugs. It regulates licit commerce of chemicals used for drug manufacture, ensuring that only transactions for which legitimate end-uses have been established are permitted to proceed.
The need for chemical control has been internationally accepted. Article 12 of the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988 UN Drug Convention) establishes the obligation for parties to the convention to control chemical commerce to prevent diversion to illicit drug manufacture.
Training - NAS funds intermediate and advanced training for CNP/DIRAN personnel. Training courses are procured through U.S. Department of Defense schools and installations; taught by U.S. instructors in Colombia; and contracted commercially. Special emphasis is given to training the airmobile interdiction companies in both independent and joint advanced operations with the Colombian Armed Forces. NAS helped DIRAN plan a counter-narcotics training center to conduct anti-narcotics related courses including JUNGLAS (Ranger/Special Forces combat and survival skills), field medical, human rights, communications and narcotics investigations.
The JUNGLAS training course was created in 1989. JUNGLAS trainees undergo a rigorous four-month program of instruction combining elements of the U.S. Army Special Forces qualification course and Ranger school. A NAS-DIRAN joint project for the construction of a new fully equipped JUNGLAS training facility should be completed in 2001.
The Counter-Narcotics Training Center is located in the Gabriel González Police Unit in Espinal, Tolima. NAS provides operational oversight, training coordination and logistical support. The Center consists of three major elements: base security section, mobility training section and a technical and tactical center.
NAS supports the continued construction and development of the DIRAN's aviation school in Mariquita, Tolima. The school trains Colombian helicopter and fixed-wing pilots to support the anti-narcotics program. It has become a regional training center handling foreign students in addition to its normal cadre.
Operations - Cooperation between and among branches of the Colombian armed forces and the CNP is a major operational success. The armed forces conduct unilateral and joint counter-narcotics operations with the CNP, deploying in areas where the CNP faces a significant guerrilla threat. The Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines coordinate with the DIRAN in joint counter-narcotics operations in which they destroy drug labs, confiscate narcotics and make arrests. The CNP and Army have participated in intensive joint training to prepare the army's new counter-narcotics brigade, which will assist the DIRAN during counter-narcotics operations in the coca growing regions. DIRAN personnel are presently co-located with the counter-narcotics brigade's first battalion and the Colombian Joint Intelligence Center (JIC) in Tres Esquinas.
Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) - DIRAN and NAS jointly developed a new architecture which identifies capabilities and prioritizes procurements with Plan Colombia funding.
Infrastructure and Logistical - (Under construction)

Support for Government of Colombia (GOC) National Directorate of Dangerous Drugs (DNE)

Policy Issues and Drug Awareness - NAS officers work with the DNE and the Colombian drug czar's office to develop national policies on narcotics issues. These include illicit crop eradication, drug-related asset seizure and forfeiture, demand reduction activities, surveys, conferences and media products to promote public awareness of the problems created for Colombia by illicit drug production, trafficking, and abuse. Public awareness and demand reduction activities carried out through the DNE/NAS partnership strengthen social support and political will for anti-drug measures.
The National Directorate of Dangerous Drugs (DNE) develops overall drug policy in Colombia, while a new program within the Colombian presidency, Rumbos, manages prevention and demand reduction programs. Rumbos was created in 1998 as a response to the growing problem of drug use in Colombia, especially among young males ages 12 to 17 in well-populated and economically developed areas. It works with other agencies to ensure adequate treatment centers are available and presides over a demand reduction program in which 18 governmental and nongovernmental organizations participate. It helps departments and municipalities create local prevention and treatment programs, with 27 of Colombia's 32 departments now receiving assistance.
Drug demand reduction programs work to reduce worldwide use and abuse of, and demand for, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Escalating drug use and abuse take a devastating toll on the health, welfare, safety, security and economic stability of all nations.
U.S. demand reduction strategy includes efforts to prevent the onset of use, intervention at "critical decision points" in the lives of vulnerable populations to prevent both first use and further use, and effective treatment programs for the addicted. Other aspects encompass education and media campaigns to increase public awareness of the destructive consequences of drug use/abuse and community-coalition building. This latter effort involves the development of private/public sector demand reduction coalitions to mobilize national and international opinion against the drug trade and to encourage governments to develop and implement strong counter narcotics policies and programs.
U.S. Support for Alternative Development/Manual Eradication - Plan Colombia encourages small coca growers to sign agreements to eliminate illicit crops voluntarily in exchange for government assistance with alternative crop development. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) works closely with the Government of Colombia's National Alternative Development Plan (PNDA, formerly known as PLANTE), to put such agreements in place. PNDA has signed twelve pacts for 11,425 families to eradicate voluntarily 10,613 hectares of coca in Putumayo, and plans to sign a total of 32 more pacts this year in Putumayo. In fiscal year 2001, USAID is helping approximately 2,500 small producers voluntarily eradicate 5,700 hectares of coca (3,200 in Putumayo and the rest in Caquetá, Bolivar, and Norte de Santander) and supports planting approximately 14,500 hectares of legal crops, directly benefiting some 4,500 families. Over the course of five years (2000-2005), USAID seeks voluntary eradication of 3,000 hectares of poppy and 30,000 hectares of coca by small farmers. Alternative development programs supporting voluntary eradication have lessened local opposition to aerial eradication; one Putumayo mayor stated the Government apparently intends to keep its word to combine both the "stick" of spraying and the "carrot" of alternative development.
Anti-Narcotics Infrastructure Project - The infrastructure project strengthens operations of the National Directorate of Dangerous Drugs (DNE) and its parent organization, the National Council on Dangerous Drugs (CNE), which sets narcotics policy for the GOC.

Port Security Program

Drug traffickers use commercial trading channels to transport illegal narcotics to foreign markets. Payment is often made in products which are illegally entered into Colombia as contraband through the same commercial shipping channels. Bribery, document forgery and intimidation are used to remove products from seaports.

NAS initiated a port security program in 1998 in a difficult environment of police, port officials' and port operators' concerns about their ability to cooperate. That has changed and an effective program is in place. The ports provide funds ($1.5 million a year), the police provide dedicated manpower and NAS provides technical advice. U.S. Customs provides training and the British, French and Dutch Embassies have contributed training based on NAS recommendations. There are presently five key ports (Cartagena, Muelles el Bosque, Santa Marta, Buenaventura and Barranquilla) in the program, covering virtually all commercial cargo leaving Colombia for the U.S., Europe, Japan and Asia. For more information see the article Securing Colombia's Ports.

Through the port security program, port authorities have seized more than 31 metric tons of cocaine and 60 tons of marijuana since late 1998. To put these figures in perspective, in 2000 sixty-nine tons of narcotics were seized in all of Latin America. Traffickers have responded by making elaborate and costly efforts to use alternative means to transport illegal narcotics.

PSP

Colombian ports:
Port of Barranquilla
Port of Buenaventura
Port of Cartagena
Muelles el Bosque - Cartagena
Port of Santa Marta

Improvement of the Colombian Penal System

National and international cooperation among organizations responsible for administering justice has caused a sharp increase in the number of drug traffickers brought to justice. Efforts to prevent those in jail from continuing to break the law from inside the prisons have proved insufficient, and national and international allies have joined forces to set up a prison system less vulnerable to corruption. The USG has provided $4.5 million under Plan Colombia funding to support the prison security program.

Plan Colombia Justice Sector Reform Projects

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in coordination with the Department of the Treasury, has designed an $88 million technical assistance program to strengthen the Colombian justice sector and its institutions, with particular focus on enhancing Colombian law enforcement capability. The program consists of 12 interrelated project areas ranging from developing human rights task forces to combating organized financial crime to joint case investigations and prosecutions to witness and judicial officer protection.

The goals of the justice sector reform projects are to strengthen Colombian justice sector institutions and their capabilities; to develop a more effective criminal justice system; and to strengthen and enhance the rule of law as a cornerstone of a sustainable democracy.