REQUEST FOR DOCUMENTS RELATING TO POSSIBLE AGENCY KNOWLEDGE OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN OR AROUND MENA, ARKANSAS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Keywords: SEAL BARRY
• Keywords: MENA ARKANSAS
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0001289863
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 30, 2009
• Case Number: F-2002-01499
• Publication Date: February 26, 1996

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APPROVED FOR
RELEASE DATE:
23-Sep-2009
IG 96-0302
26 February 1996
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Administration
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Operations
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Comptroller
Director of Congressional Affairs
General Counsel
Director of Public Affairs
Executive Secretariat
FROM: Frederick P. Hitz
Inspector General
SUBJECT: Request for Documents Relating to Possible
Agency Knowledge of Certain Activities in
or Around Mena, Arkansas
1. In response to a request from the Chairman of the
House Committee on Banking and Financial Services, and with
the concurrence of the Director of Central Intelligence, the
Office of Inspector General (OIG) has initiated an inquiry
relating to the following core issues:
Whether CIA, or anyone acting.on CIA's behalf, has
carried out any activities in Mena, Arkansas, or the
area north of Mena, known as Nella, Arkansas, and if
so, did CIA brief, or otherwise communicate this
information to Arkansas state officials in the
1980s;
What was the nature and extent of CIA's contact or
relationship with Adler Berriman Seal(AKA Barry
Seal, A. B. Seal, FNU Billings, Berry Seal, Eric
Arthur, Ellis McKenzie "El Gordo," Joseph Warren
Church; DOB: SSN:
and his active ies;
? Did CIA try to influence or request, directly or
indirectly, that the Department of Justice terminate
or alter any investigations or prosecutions of money
laundering in or around Mena, Arkansas;
ADMINISTRA RNAL USE ONLY
 ADMINIS - ERNAL USE ONLY
SUBJECT: Request for Documents Relating to Possible Agency
Knowledge of Certain Activities in or Around
Mena, Arkansas
? What, if any, information does CIA have that
indicates it had any contact with certain
individuals or businesses, subsequently identified,
or of illegal activities (including illicit aircraft
modifications) based at, or operating through, the
airport at Mena, Arkansas, from 1980 to the present.
2. In connection with the above areas of interest, the
Committee has asked if the CIA had any direct or indirect
contact or relationship with any of the following persons or
entities located in or around Mena, Arkansas, including, but
not limited to: Freddie Lee "Fred" Hampton, Joe Evans, Rich
Mountain Aviation, Charles Roulet, Cal Edwards, Global
Associates, Fokker Air, Michael Eigleston, Eagle Aviation,
Robert Maddern, Glen Conrad, Multitrade International,
Junior Goodner, Goodner Aircraft Painting, Southern Cross
Aviation, J. V. Brotherton, Brodix, Terry Capehart, Blue
Diamond, George Reeb, Reebaire, Rose Upholstery and Earl
Covel.
3. The Committee also inquired as to whether Larry
Douglass (L. D.) Brown (DOB: SSN:
ever applied for CIA employment an , if so,' he result
of t at application.
4. The Committee further inquired whether CIA
customarily communicates with state officials when CIA has
activities in that state. Finally, the Committee asked
whether CIA briefed or otherwise communicated with Arkansas
state government officials or law enforcement authorities
about any CIA activities in Arkansas in the late 1980s.
5. In furtherance of OIG's efforts, I request that you
provide this Office with all information relating to these
questions, as further described below, as soon as possible,
but no later than close of business Friday, 15 March 1996.
Also, I ask that each addressee establish a directorate
focal point for this action and provide the name and contact
number of that individual to OIG no later than close of
business Friday, 1 March 1996. That individual should be
responsible for certifying to this Office that searches
conducted pursuant to this request have been complete and
all pertinent information has been provided. Please provide
this information to OIG's administrative focal point on this
matter,
 ADMINIS RNAL USE ONLY
SUBJECT: Request for Documents Relating to Possible Agency
Knowledge of Certain Activities in or Around
Mena, Arkansas
6. Included in this request are:
a. Copies of all relevant internal and external
documents and information concerning any activities by
CIA, or anyone acting on CIA's behalf, in Mena,
Arkansas, or the area north of Mena, known as Nella,
Arkansas.
b. Copies of all relevant internal and external
documents and information concerning Agency
participation in, or knowledge of, activities in or
around the Intermountain Municipal Airport in Mena,
Arkansas, or the area north of Mena, known as Nella,
Arkansas, from 1980 through the present. This
information is to include CIA knowledge of any
individuals or businesses that may have been engaged in
money laundering, narcotics trafficking, arms
smuggling, or other illegal activities (including
illicit aircraft modifications).
c. Copies of all relevant internal and external
documents and information relating to Adler Berriman
Seal (AKA Barry Seal, A. B. Seal, FNU Billings, Berry
Seal, Eric Arthur, Ellis McKenzie, "El Gordo," Joseph
Church; DOB: SSN:
Of particular interest is information, i any
t at indicates any relationship between CIA and Seal;
any information that Seal provided to CIA regarding
Central America, Colombian drug cartels, transshipment
points or refining facilities for U.S.-bound drugs,
drug smuggling generally, or any other subject; any
information indicating whether CIA either directly or
indirectly provided or facilitated the provision of
money, services, or equipment to Seal or any other
person or entity in connection with Seal's activities;
any information regarding the use of proceeds from
Seal's activities; and information concerning any
contact or communication between CIA and other federal
agencies about Seal's activities.
d. Copies of all relevant internal and external
documents and information regarding CIA's knowledge of
a Fairchild C-123K military transport aircraft
reportedly used by Seal. Information sought regarding
this aircraft includes that relating to procurement,
servicing, retrofitting, etc.
3
 ADMINISTRA AL USE ONLY
SUBJECT: Request for Documents Relating to Possible Agency
Knowledge of Certain Activities in or Around
Mena, Arkansas
e. Copies of all relevant internal and external
documents and information regarding CIA's knowledge of
a Convair C-131A military transport aircraft with U.S.
registration number N5575A.
f. Copies of all relevant internal and external
documents and information regarding Agency efforts, if
any, to influence the Department of Justice or any
other federal agency directly or indirectly in the
course of any investigations or prosecutions in or
around Mena, Arkansas.
g. Copies or all relevant internal and external
documents and information relating to the following
persons or entities located in or around Mena,
Arkansas:
 ADMINISTRPTrS -.DIAL USE ONLY
SUBJECT: Request for Documents Relating to Possible Agency
Knowledge of Certain Activities in or Around
Mena, Arkansas
h. Copies of all relevant internal and external-
documents and information relating to Larry Douglass
(L. D.) Brown, DOB: SSN:
i. Copies of all relevant internal and external
documents and information relating to whether CIA
briefed, or otherwise communicated with, Arkansas state
government officials or law enforcement authorities
about any CIA activities in Arkansas from 1980 to
present.
7. This request encompasses all relevant official and
soft files, 201 files, memoranda, taskings, notes, letters,
correspondence, communications, Lotus Notes and other
computer mail messages; cable traffic (including "ops
traffic"), briefing books, calendars, and personal notes.
It also extends to all categories or material, including all
"Rybat," "bigoted," "codeword," "SI,"
o er invited distribution materials
.
an
8. Documents and other materials responsive to this
request should be produced in their entirety as they appear
in the relevant files without redaction or deletions of any
kind and delivered to GIG/Investigations Staff,
Attention: as soon as possible, but no
later than close of business 15 March 1996. Marginalia and
associated notes, comments, etc., should remain as they
appear on the original documents and materials. If there is
any doubt in regard to the relevance of particular documents
5
ADMINISTRAI RNAL USE ONLY
 SUBJECT: Request for Documents Relating to Possible Agency
Knowledge of Certain Activities in or Around
Mena, Arkansas
or information, components should err on the side of
advising OIG and allowing it an opportunity to determine
relevance.
9. I am aware that this tasking may duplicate similar
information requests within the last several months by other
components. Nonetheless, this is an independent inquiry
that requires a full and timely response. If the requisite
searches are not completed by the time specified, OIG should
be contacted to arrange for delivery of the results as of
that date while the searches continue.
10. The IG investigation team may find it necessary to
interview Agency officers and others. Please ensure that
those called upon to be interviewed are made available on a.
timely basis.
11. The requirements identified in this memorandum are
continuing. Please ensure that OIG is advised immediately
of any new information that may be relevant to this
investigation.
12. Finally, individuals who have personal knowledge
of the events or activities described above should contact
OIG immediately. OIG's principal points of contact for this
investigation are
and
13. Thank you for your cooperation regarding this
matter.
cc: DCI
DDCI
EXDIR
 SUBJECT: Request for Documents Relating to Possible Agency
Knowledge of Certain Activities in or Around
Mena, Arkansas
OIG/INV/
(23 Feb 96)
Distribution:
Original - 1 ea addressee
1 - IG Chrono
1 - INV Chrono
1 - INV Subject File: 96-0036-IG