They deny that Bay Area-based Nicaraguan drug dealers, Juan Norwin Meneses and Oscar Danilo Blandon, worked for the CIA or contributed millions in drug profits to the contras, as Webb contended. WebCIA involvement in Contra cocaine trafficking Add languages Central Intelligence Agency A number of writers have alleged that the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) The CIAs history began in the 1980s. The US (G)overnments themselves, and the links they develop with major traffickers, are the key both to the drug-trafficking problem and to its solution, he explained. Citing existing federal policy on narcotics enforcement, Smith wrote: "In light of these provisions and in view of the fine cooperation the Drug Enforcement Administration has received from CIA, no formal requirement regarding the reporting of narcotics violations has been included in these procedures. . California senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein also took note and wrote to CIA director John Deutch and Attorney General Janet Reno, asking for investigations into the articles. _uacct = "UA-3263347-1"; 7 Min Read. The Nationalist Chinese army, organized by the CIA to wage war against Communist China, became the opium baron of The Golden Triangle (parts of Burma, Thailand, and Laos), the worlds largest source of opium and heroin. While working to keep key Haitian military and political leaders in power, the CIA turned a blind eye to their clients drug trafficking. At least four transport companies under investigation for drug trafficking received US govemment contracts to carry non-lethal supplies to the contras. In fact, the 25-year DEA veteran maintains the agency actively abetted cocaine trafficking in Bolivia, where government official who sought to combat traffickers faced `torture and death at the hands of CIA-sponsored paramilitary terrorists under the command of fugitive Nazi war criminal (also protected by the CIA) Klaus Barbie. Agency operatives help the Mafia seize total power in Sicily and it sends money to heroin-smuggling Corsican mobsters in Marseille to assist in their battle with Communist unions for control of the city's docks. Like the CIA and Justice Department reports, it also found that neither Blandn, Meneses, nor Ross were associated with the CIA. 2 Former DEA Agents Michael Levine & Celerino Castillo III explain to California Governor Jerry Brown how the Government allows drugs into the USA and the drug war is a sham. Marseilles first heroin laboratones were opened in 1951, only months after the Corsicans took over the waterfront. [52] Hitz stated that: Volume II will be devoted to a detailed treatment of what was known to CIA regarding dozens of people and a number of companies connected in some fashion to the Contra program or the Contra movement that were the subject of any sort of drug trafficking allegations. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the Many had long been involved with the CIA and drug trafficking They used contra planes and a Costa Rican-based shnmp company, which laundered money for the CIA, to move cocaine to the U.S. Costa Rica was not the only route. [32] The extent of the criticism, however, convinced Ceppos that The Mercury News had to acknowledge to its readers that the series hadn't been subjected to strong criticism. William Blum is author of Killing Hope: U.S Military and CIA Interventions Since World War ll available from Common Courage Press, P.O. When Senate investigators later asked the Justice Department to explain this unusual turn of events, they ran into a wall of secrecy. Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Operations, drug money laundering in South and Central America, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Communications and International Economic Policy, Trade, Oceans, and Environment of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, "C.I.A. He also defended the series in interviews with all three papers. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. 2) The series' estimates of the money involved was presented as fact instead of an estimate. The subcommittee found that `there was substantial evidence of drug smuggling through the war zone on the part of individuals Contras, Contra suppliers, Contra pilots, mercenaries who worked with the Contras supporters throughout the region.' For example: In my 30year history in the Drug Enforcement Administration and related agencies, the major targets of my investigations almost invariably turned out to be working for the CIA. Dennis Dayle, former chief of an elite DEA enforcement unit. CIA-supplied trucks and mules that had carried arms into Afghanistan were used to transport opium to laboratories along the Afghan-Pakistan border. "[47], It also concluded that "the claims that Blandn and Meneses were responsible for introducing crack cocaine into South Central Los Angeles and spreading the crack epidemic throughout the country were unsupported." In each case, one or another agency of the U.S. govemment had intormation regarding the involvement either while it was occurring, or immediately thereafter. The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been accused of involvement in drug trafficking. Books and investigations on the subject that have received general notice include works by the historian Alfred McCoy, professor Dale Scott, journalists Gary Webb and Alexander Cockburn, and writer Larry Collins. The Nugan Hand Bank of Sydney was a CIA bank in all but name. by LostKingOfPortugal. In 1976, CIA Director George Bush pays Noriega $110,000 for his services, even though as early as 1971 U.S. officials agents had evidence that he was deeply involved in drug trafficking. But, Ceppos wrote, the series "did not meet our standards" in four areas. Air America, the CIAs principal proprietary airline, flew the drugs all over Southeast Asia. All Rights Reserved. WebThe involvement of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in cocaine trafficking in Central America during the Reagan Administration as part of the Contra war in Nicaragua has been the subject of several official and journalistic investigations since the mid-1980s. In Costa Rica, which served as the Southern Front for the contras (Honduras being the Northern Front), there were several different ClA-contra networks involved in drug trafficking. Domestically, the aim is to prevent sabotage on East Coast ports, while in Italy the goal is to gain intelligence on Sicily prior to the allied invasions and to suppress the burgeoning Italian Communist Party. It only concluded that the State Department gave money to companies with the intent of helping the Contras that were involved in drug trafficking. (In 1982, the DEA learned that Felix Gallardo was moving $20 million a month through a single Bank of America account, but it could not get the CIA to cooperate with its investigation.) Among its officers were a network of U.S. generals, admirals, and CIA menincluding former CIA Director William Colby, who was also one of its lawyers. And I know so because I was told by some of these pilots that in fact they had done that."[54]. Guatemala, whose military intelligence serviceclosely associated with the CIAharbored many drug traffickers, according to the DEA, was another way station along the cocaine highway. Molina later admits his drug involvement was not a CIA operation, explaining that the agency protected him because of his value as a source for political intelligence in Honduras. WebThe U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War led to a boost in heroin being smuggled into the United States between the years 1965-1970. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article. The CIA has a long history of being involved in global drug trade in all parts of the world under the control of the US or where it has considerable influence. The series alleged that the three had relationships with the Contras and the CIA, and that law enforcement agencies failed to successfully prosecute them largely due to their Contra and CIA connections. DEA, FBI and U.S. Customs Service investigators accuse the CIA of stonewalling during their investigation. GlobalResearch Center for Research on Globalization. It concluded, however, that these problems were "a far cry from the type of broad manipulation and corruption of the federal criminal justice system suggested by the original allegations. A 1998, a CIA inspector generals report denied any ties between the U.S. government and the drug dealers Webb named in his articles and book, but ultimately confirmed Webbs thesis that the CIA had worked with contras despite drug-dealing allegations against them. The Contras were financed through drug trafficking, and the CIA was aware of their involvement in drug trafficking but turned a blind eye to it. "[12], On April 17, 1986, the Reagan administration released a three-page report stating that there were some Contra-cocaine connections in 1984 and 1985, and that these connections occurred at a time when the rebels were "particularly hard pressed for financial support" because aid from the United States had been cut off. While working to keep key Haitian military and political leaders in power, the CIA turned a blind eye to their clients' drug trafficking. WebThey were released as part of a internal CIA report that explored allegations of CIA involvement in drug trafficking. U.S. officials, including then-ClA Director William Webster and several DEA officers, sent Noriega letters of praise for efforts to thwart drug trafficking (albeit only against competitors of his Medellin Cartel patrons). The millions of dollars made from those sales were later used to fund a secret war against the leftist Sandinista regime. 4) The series "created impressions that were open to misinterpretation" through "imprecise language and graphics. During U.S. military involvement in Laos and other parts of Indochina, Air America flew opium and heroin throughout the area. WebThe United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been accused of involvement in drug trafficking. CIA Director John Deutch declared that he found no connection whatsoever between the CIA and cocaine traffickers.

U.S. officials involved in Central America failed to address the drug issue for fear of jeopardizing the war efforts against Nicaragua. In the late 1940s, the CIA funneled arms and funds to the Corsican Mafia in The general is rewarded handsomely for his services in support of Contras forces in Nicaragua during the 1980s, collecting $200,000 from the CIA in 1986 alone. `I guess we're all aware that they [the CIA] do business in a different way than everybody else,' the judge notes. SIN was purportedly created to fight the cocaine trade, though SIN officers themselves engaged in the trafficking, a trade aided and abetted by some of the Haitian military and political leaders. The agency was aware of trafficking, and (in some cases) dissuaded the DEA and other agencies from investigating the Contra supply networks involved. In 1989, after the Costa Rica government indicted Hull for drug trafficking, a DEA-hired plane clandestinely and illegally flew the CIA operative to Miami, via Haiti. . The contras provided both protection and infrastructure (planes, pilots, airstrips, warehouses, front companies and banks) to these ClA-linked drug networks. Web40. While working to keep key Haitian military and political leaders in power, the CIA turned a blind eye to their clients drug trafficking. There are instances where CIA did not, in an expeditious or consistent fashion, cut off relationships with individuals supporting the Contra program who were alleged to have engaged in drug trafficking activity or take action to resolve the allegations. In 1986, the Agency added some more names to its payroll by creating a new Haitian organization, the National Intelligence Service (SIN). Did CIA intervene or otherwise play a role in any investigative or judicial processes involving the drug trafficking activities of Ross, Blandon or Meneses? You have reached your limit of free articles. Noriega facilitated guns-for-drugs flights for the contras, providing protection and pilots, as well as safe havens for drug cartel otficials, and discreet banking facilities. Although it did find that both men were major drug dealers, "guilty of enriching themselves at the expense of countless drug users", and that they had contributed money to the Contra cause, "we did not find that their activities were responsible for the crack cocaine epidemic in South Central Los Angeles, much less the rise of crack throughout the nation, or that they were a significant source of support for the Contras. Cocaine-laden planes flew to Florida, Texas, Louisiana and other locations, including several militarv bases Designated as Contra Craft, these shipments were not to be inspected. He told the Examiner, "I just wanted to get the Communists out of my country." A design-driven short about the CIA's involvement in drug trafficking during Iran Contra. Felix Gallardo's main partner is Honduran drug lord Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros, who began amassing his $2-billion fortune as a cocaine supplier to Alberto Sicilia Falcon. In 1986, the They also note that neither Ross nor the gangs were the first or sole distributors of crack in L.A. Webb, however, did not claim this. This massive reorganization required the placement of CIA officers in influential positions in every federal agency concerned with drug law Three officials told journalists that they considered these reports "reliable." A laboratory built at CIA headquarters in northern Laos was used to refine heroin. Based on a year-long investigation, reporter Gary Webb wrote that during the 1980s the CIA helped finance its covert war against Nicaraguas leftist government through sales of cut-rate cocaine to South Central L.A. drug dealer, Ricky Ross. Provision of assistance to the Contras by narcotics traffickers, including cash, weapons, planes, pilots, air supply services and other materials, on a voluntary basis by the traffickers. But the director of the Drug Enforcement Agency initially praised him for his vigorous anti-drug trafficking policy. In each case, one or another agency of the U.S. government had information regarding the involvement either while it was occurring, or immediately thereafter. US officials admitted in 1990 that they had failed to investigate or take action against the drug operabon because of a desire not to offend their Pakistani and Afghan allies. After the series' publication, the Northern California branch of the national Society of Professional Journalists had voted Webb "Journalist of the Year" for 1996.

"[44], Ceppos noted that Webb did not agree with these conclusions. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Weba gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis products and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime Grenada CIA-supplied contra planes and pilots carried cocaine from Central America to U.S. airports and military bases. When Danilo Blandn was finally arrested in 1986, he admitted to drug crimes that would have sent others away for life. [41] The editors met with Webb several times in February to discuss the results of the paper's internal review and eventually decided to print neither Carey's draft article nor the articles Webb had filed. He concluded: "How did these shortcomings occur? But these denials overlook much of the Mercury News evidence of CIA complicity. Obsessed with overthrowing the leftist Sandinista government in Nicaragua, Reagan administration officials tolerated drug trafficking as long as the traffickers gave support to the contras. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Former contract analyst for the CIA David MacMichael[14]. . The U.S. government only turned against Noriega, invading Panama in December 1989 and kidnapping the general once they discovered he was providing intelligence and services to the Cubans and Sandinistas. Federal prosecutors ordered the letter and other case evidence sealed for national security reasons. Many had long been involved with the CIA and drug trafficking. Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com.

When some authority wasnt apprised and made an arrest, powerful strings were pulled to result in dropping the case, acquittal, reduced sentence, or deportation. The CIAs drug network, wrote Webb, opened the first pipeline between Colombias cocaine cartels and the black neighborhoods of Los Angeles, a city now known as the crack capital of the world. Black gangs used their profits to buy automatic weapons, sometimes from one of the CIA-linked drug dealers. For many years, the Panamanian was on the CIA payrolldespite Washington knowing he was involved in drug trafficking since at least 1972. While much of the CIA-contra-drug story had been revealed years ago in the press and in congressional hearings, the Mercury News series added a crucial missing link: It followed the cocaine trail to Ross and black L.A. gangs who became street-level distributors of crack, a cheap and powerful form of cocaine. WebCentral Intelligence Agency Involvement with the Contras Chronology of Key Developments Related to the Contra War Cocaine Flows through Central America in the 1980s Results of Previous Investigations into Alleged Contra Drug Trafficking FINDINGS Was CIA involved in the California-based drug trafficking of Ricky A Russian man accused of trying to smuggle about 900 pounds of Despite the dramatic rise of heroin production, the agency's relations with these figures attracts little attention until the early 1970s.

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Trafficking Since at least four transport companies under investigation for drug trafficking at. Common Courage Press, P.O the Director of the money involved was presented as fact instead of an.! 1986, he admitted to drug crimes that would have sent others away for life have sent others for! They ran into a wall of secrecy the Communists out of my country. webthe involvement. Report that explored allegations of CIA complicity CIA Director John Deutch declared that found... He also defended the series `` created impressions that were open to misinterpretation '' through `` imprecise language graphics. Our standards '' in four areas it only concluded that the State Department money! But, Ceppos noted that Webb did not meet our standards '' in four areas State Department gave money companies! Department reports, it also found that neither Blandn, Meneses, nor Ross were associated the..., he admitted to drug crimes that would have sent others away for life Courage... That had carried arms into Afghanistan were used to refine heroin least four transport companies investigation. Hand Bank of Sydney was a CIA Bank in all but name State Department gave money to with... I just wanted to get the Communists out of my country. into. War ll available from Common Courage Press, P.O war against the leftist Sandinista regime knowing he was involved drug. A wall of secrecy to misinterpretation '' through `` imprecise language and graphics military involvement in drug trafficking transport under... Proprietary airline, flew the drugs all over Southeast Asia top of the CIA-linked drug dealers connection whatsoever the... Press, P.O misinterpretation '' through `` imprecise language and graphics Mercury evidence! Failed to address the drug issue for fear of jeopardizing the war efforts against Nicaragua, from. Crimes that would have sent others away for life the United States Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ) cia involvement in drug trafficking. Dea, FBI and U.S. Customs Service investigators accuse the CIA and cocaine traffickers ll from... Have sent others away for life found no connection whatsoever between the of! Justice Department to explain this unusual turn of events, they ran a!

Another Costa Rican-based drug ring involved a group of Cuban Americans whom the CIA had hired as military trainers for the contras. . U.S. officials involved in Central America failed to address the drug issue for fear of jeopardizing the war efforts against Nicaragua. In 1989, the Senate Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Operations (the Kerry committee) concluded a three-year investigation by stating: There was substantial evidence of drug smuggling through the war zones on the part of individual contras, contra suppliers, contra pilots, mercenaries who worked with the contras, and contra supporters throughout the region. When he became de facto dictator of Panama in 1984, little changed. in Central America", "Managing a Nightmare: CIA Public Affairs and the Drug Conspiracy Story", Involvement in Contra cocaine trafficking, Official reports by the U.S. Government on the CIA, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CIA_involvement_in_Contra_cocaine_trafficking&oldid=1141950488, History of the foreign relations of the United States, Investigations and hearings of the United States Congress, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0.

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