EMPLOYEE OF DEA AND HUSBAND PLEAD GUILTY IN FAKE KIDNAPPING CASE INVOLVING U.S. EMBASSY IN BOGOTA, COLUMBIA

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Friday, May 30, 2014

DEA Employee and Contractor Husband Plead Guilty to False Statements in Kidnapping Hoax

Nydia L. Perez and John A. Soto, both 44, of Haymarket, Virginia, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to law enforcement officials in federal court on Friday, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Assistant Director for International Operations John Boles of the FBI.

According to the plea agreement, in December 2013, Perez, an employee of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and her husband Soto, a private contractor in the United States Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, designed and executed a hoax with the intention of defrauding the United States Embassy in Bogotá.   As part of the hoax, Perez and Soto fabricated a plot to kidnap minors who are United States citizens.

According to court filings, Perez and Soto sent, through electronic mail and courier services, information about a purported threat to the safety of minor United States citizens in Bogotá.   Perez and Soto added detailed descriptions of the targeted United States citizens, including information about their whereabouts and daily routines.   Perez and Soto included photographs of the citizens in order to enhance the seriousness of the threat, and attempted to implicate innocent individuals in the kidnapping plot.   Perez and Soto made numerous false representations to law enforcement and security officials in furtherance of the fabricated kidnapping plot.

Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman-Jackson is scheduled for Aug. 21, 2014.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Legal Attaché in Bogotá and the Extra-Territorial Squad of the FBI Miami Field Office.   Also participating in the investigation were the DEA, the U.S. Embassy Bogota Regional Security Office, and the U.S. Embassy Bogota Force Protection Detail.   The Department is grateful for the assistance of the Colombia National Police Directorate of Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Extortion.

TREASURY LIFTS SANCTIONS ON COLOMBIAN SOCCER TEAM FORMERLY TIED TO CALI CARTEL

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today the removal of the Colombian professional soccer team America de Cali (also known as Corporacion Deportiva America) from the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). Treasury designated the America de Cali team on June 8, 1999, pursuant to Executive Order 12978 of 1995, "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers," because it was under the ownership or control of Cali Cartel leaders Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela and other designated individuals. Because that is no longer the case, the Treasury Department today is delisting America de Cali and U.S. persons will now be allowed to enter into financial transactions with the ownership of the team and any assets that they may have had in the U.S. are now unblocked.

"Today’s lifting of the designation of America de Cali is a testament to the enormous efforts made in recent years by both the team and the Colombian government to completely break with the criminal influences that have overshadowed the team in the past," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. "As we continue our work with the Colombian government to combat the threat of narcotics trafficking, we will use our authorities to target those responsible for illicit behavior just as we will lift sanctions in cases where there has been a concrete change in behavior."

The soccer team’s corporate entity recently completed a transparent process of restructuring and bankruptcy procedures under the oversight of the Colombian government that included a vigorous due diligence process on all prospective shareholders and corporate officers. The results of this process demonstrated that America de Cali has cut its ties with designated parties, allowing Treasury to proceed with removing the team from the SDN List.

The removal of America de Cali from the SDN List demonstrates that entities may be, and regularly are, removed from the SDN List when circumstances warrant. A designated party may petition Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for the removal of its name from the SDN List. In general, proof of changes in circumstances and behavior is key to OFAC removing a person or entity from the SDN List.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS EXTRADITION FROM MEXICO IS A MILESTONE

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Friday, August 31, 2012

Eduardo Arellano-Felix Extradited from Mexico to the United States to Face Charges

Key Advisor to Arellano-Felix Organization’s Leadership

WASHINGTON - Eduardo Arellano-Felix, 55, one of the alleged members of the Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO), was extradited today by the government of Mexico to the United States to face racketeering, money laundering and narcotics trafficking charges in the Southern District of California.

The extradition was announced by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department?s Criminal Division. Arellano-Felix was arrested by Mexican authorities in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, on Oct. 25, 2008, following a gun battle with a Mexican Special Tactical Team. A final order of extradition to the United States was granted in 2010. After two years of unsuccessful appeals, Arellano-Felix arrived in the United States this afternoon. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in U.S. District Court in San Diego before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Lynn Major.

U.S. Attorney Duffy, whose office secured the indictment against Arellano-Felix, said, "This extradition is a significant step in our effort to bring another key figure in the Arellano Felix Organization to answer, in an American court of law, to very serious charges. We are grateful to the Government of Mexico for its assistance in the extradition."

?Today's extradition is a milestone in our fight against the Mexican drug cartels. I want to thank the Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs for its tireless work in helping to ensure that Eduardo Arellano-Felix and numerous of his alleged co-conspirators face justice in the United States,? said Assistant Attorney General Breuer.

?The extradition of Eduardo Arellano-Felix today marks the end of a 20-year DEA investigation into this vicious drug cartel,? said William R . Sherman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). ?This extradition illustrates that DEA and all its law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue these drug traffickers until they are brought to justice.?

San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Daphne Hearn said, "The FBI is pleased with Mexico's efforts to bring to justice a leader from one of the most violent criminal enterprises in our history. The spirit of cooperation between our two countries is a powerful force in disrupting the criminal activities of these groups that instill fear and threaten the safety of our citizens in the border regions of the United States."

Long-reputed to be one of the most notorious multi-national drug trafficking organizations, the AFO controlled the flow of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs through the Mexican border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali into the United States. Its operations also extended into southern Mexico as well as Colombia.

The seventh superseding indictment charges Arellano-Felix with conducting the affairs of an illegal enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity (RICO), conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine and marijuana, as well as money laundering. The indictment alleges that the leadership of the AFO negotiated directly with Colombian cocaine-trafficking organizations for the purchase of multi-ton shipments of cocaine, received those shipments by sea and by air, in Mexico, and then arranged for the smuggling of the cocaine into the United States and its further distribution throughout the U.S. The indictment also alleges that the proceeds of the AFO's drug trafficking, estimated by law enforcement to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, were then smuggled back into Mexico.

Brothers and former leaders of the AFO, Benjamin Arellano-Felix and Francisco Javier Arellano Felix, are currently serving sentences in the United States following their convictions for racketeering, drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

This case is being investigated by agents from the DEA, the FBI, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted in the Southern District of California by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Green, James Melendres and Dan Zipp. The Criminal Division=s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in the extradition. The investigation of Arellano-Felix was coordinated by an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program was created to consolidate and coordinate all law enforcement resources in this country's battle against major drug trafficking rings, drug kingpins, and money launderers.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

BUILDING U.S.-COLUMBIA TIES

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE
Staff Sgt. Angel Ortega (left), 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron air transportation air advisor, and Staff Sgt. Peter Salinas, 571st MSAS air transportation air advisor, secure cargo straps onto a pallet before loading it onto an aircraft during an Air Mobility Command Building Partner Capacity mission at General Alberto Pauwels Rodriguez Air Base in Barranquilla, Colombia, June 27, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lesley Waters)  
Airmen build ties with Colombian counterparts 
by Tech. Sgt. Lesley Waters
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

7/3/2012 - BARRANQUILLA, Columbia (AFNS) -- Members of the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron completed the first part of an Air Mobility Command Building Partner Capacity mission - working with the Colombian air force to promote regional stability by fostering key relationships and enhancing partner nation capabilities, at General Alberto Pauwels Rodriguez Air Base in Barranquilla, Colombia, June 28.

The mission also supports the 12th Air Force's (Air Forces Southern) continued engagements in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility of Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the 571st reached out to the Inter-American Air Forces Academy and 12th AF (AFSOUTH) for assistance to complement their team.

"This BPC mission was a success from multiple angles," said Maj. Brian Symon, 571st MSAS Colombia mission commander. "We were able to build lasting relationships that will pave the way for greater interoperability and we shared ideas to make both our nation's mobility systems more efficient and effective."

During the month-long partnership mission the 571st, a group of Air Force air mobility experts, travelled within the country to several locations working side-by-side with the Colombian air force fighter, and transport aircrews.  They developed the four core competencies of aerial support, command and control and communications, airfield operations and flight management.

The Airmen participated in a mutually beneficial forum for the exchange of ideas between U.S. and Colombian Airmen via interactive classroom seminars and hands-on exchanges at Commando Aéreo de Transporte Militar in Bogota, Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 1 Base in Palanquero and at General Alberto Pauwels Rodriguez Air Base in Barranquilla.

The 571st MSAS, stationed out of Travis AFB, Calif., continues the second part of its BPC mission as the team heads to Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz. and continues working with the Colombian air force for additional preparation and hands-on exchanges before arriving at Nellis AFB, Nev., to participate in Red Flag Exercise, July 16-27.

"We were able to work closely with the FAC (Colombian air force) by establishing common goals built on mutual respect and confidence," said Symon. "Their attendance at Red Flag is a cooperative accomplishment for both our countries and hopefully just one of many similar success stories."

The Colombian air force will make its first appearance during the Red Flag exercise and add its name to the 28 other countries who have participated in these exercises since 1975. Red Flag provides a peacetime "battlefield" to better prepare and train each nation's air forces. Each Red Flag exercise normally involves a variety of interdiction, attack, air superiority, defense suppression, airlift, air refueling and reconnaissance aircraft.

"The exchange of ideas we shared with the MSAS air advisors was invaluable," said Maj. Carlos Gutierrez, Colombian air force member. "With this being our first time at Red Flag, we wanted to take in everything the air advisors shared with us."

Red Flag has provided training for more than 440,000 military personnel, including more than 145,000 aircrew members flying more than 385,000 sorties and logging more than 660,000 hours of flying time. The mock battle in the skies over the Nevada Test and Training Range has yielded results that will increase the combat capability of each country's armed forces for future combat situations.

"There will always be ways for the U.S. and partner nations to improve their mobility systems and become more efficient," Symon said. "Persistent engagements, like this one, build upon past success and pave the way for sustained capacity improvements."

U.S. GENERAL MARTIN DEMPSEY VISITS COLOMBIAN TERRORISM SITE

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey speaks to Colombian troops and engineers at Joint Task Force Vulcano near Tibu, Colombia. The general is visiting the country to reaffirm ties and to find better ways to partner with an important ally. DOD photo by Jim Garamone

The following excerpt is from the American Forces Press Service
Dempsey Visits Latest Site in Colombia's Terrorism Fight
By Jim Garamone
TIBU, Colombia, March 27, 2012 - The markets are all open in this small Colombian town. Some streets are cobbled, some are bricked, some once had macadam and others are just dirt.

Chickens run around in the backyards of houses facing the air strip, and a plane or helicopter landing there attracts curious on-lookers.

They had a lot to look at today as U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined virtually the entire Colombian defense leadership to visit Joint Task Force Vulcano, located just outside town.

The Colombian government established the task force in December. It is the latest effort to defeat the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – known by its Spanish acronym FARC – and other terror groups and criminal gangs.

"It draws all assets of the government together to provide security for the people," said Colombian army Capt. Jose Mojica, a spokesman for the task force.

Dempsey arrived at the base in a Colombian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter along with Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon Bueno and Gen. Alejandro Navas, commander of the Colombian Armed Forces.

Dempsey thanked the troops and police for their courage in facing groups that threaten not only their country, but the region and the hemisphere.

"I thank you for your courage and for the sacrifices you have suffered over these many years," the general said. "As the chief of our armed forces, I come here today to first of all say 'thank you,' and secondly, how much we admire your courage and democratic values. I commit to continuing to be a good partner with you in this conflict."

Following his comments, Dempsey discussed strategy with the minister and the chief of defense and also Army chief Maj. Gen. Sergio Mantilla Sanmiguel, Navy chief Vice Adm. Roberto Garcia Marquez and Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tito Saul Pinilla-Pinilla.
Only a couple hundred soldiers were at the task force base. "We have little amount of people here, because the rest are in the field," Mojica said, adding that they patrol continuously.

The impoverished area is three kilometers from the Venezuela border, which U.S. officials, speaking on background, said is porous and suffers from corruption. The area is a prime shipping point for cocaine and the FARC and other terror groups use the proceeds to fuel their fight, they said.

If money stays in the village, it is well hidden. Whole families ride on small motorbikes with a father driving, mother on the back, and a small child wedged between them.
Before Joint Task Force Vulcano stood up, there were a small number of troops in the region. Now there are more than 10,000, Mojica said. The forces are composed of three mobile brigades and a geographic brigade. A fourth brigade is getting ready to deploy to the area.
This is all part of an ambitious Colombian strategy to cut the FARC by half in two years. U.S. Embassy officials said there are about 8,000 FARC members now. Colombian officials spoke of the plan as the end game for the rebellion against the government after 48 years of intermittent war.

The Colombian military is a leader in counterinsurgency strategy and have incorporated civil affairs efforts into almost every operation. Health care is a big draw, especially for the underserved people in the countryside. One of the first operations the task force set up was a health care program, including a health fair for the people of Tibu.

The FARC had warned towns people to stay away from the health effort, and task force commanders were worried the people would be too afraid to show up, Mojica said. But by 6 a.m., 250 people already were line, he said.

The FARC and their criminal allies are not taking the challenge lying down. The group attacked a police station outside Tibu just after Dempsey left the area. First reports indicated two police were dead and three were wounded.