FBIS EXCERPTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87T00434R000200110044-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 24, 2010
• Sequence Number: 44
• Publication Date: September 3, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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CONFIDENTIAL
The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D.C. 20505
National Intelligence Council
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Counterterrorist Group, CPN/DO
FROM:
NIC-04344-85
3 September 1985
Charles E. Allen
National Intelligence Officer for Counterterrorism and
Narcotics
SUBJECT: FBIS Excerpts
Attached for your information are FBIS excerpts on the arrest last June
in Venezuela of Luis Ramirez Sanchez, brother of Carlos Illich Ramirez
Sanchez
Char es E. AI en
Attachment:
As Stated
CONFIDENTIAL
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ARMS, DRUG TRAFFICKING LINKED WITH TERRORISTS
Drug "Tsar's" Capture Detailed
Caracas EL DIARIO DE CARACAS in Spanish 9 Jun 85 p 2
[Article by Usbaldo.Arrieta]
(Text] With Lizardo Marquez Perez and Francisco Ocando Paz out of the country,
the title of "drug tsar of Venezuela" went to Ciro Antonio Martinez Marquina.
At least that is what he was called by the attorney general at a press confer-
ence called to announce his capture.
Hector Serpa Arcas gave newsmen an account of the events leading to Martinez
Marquina's capture. A warrant had been issued for his arrest for drug traf-
ficking and the illegal carrying of war weapons. The charges were also filed
against Edgar Alirio Diaz, named as the tsar's partner. Also being held is
American Rick John Kaminsky, pilot of the luxury Lear Jet, bearing the initials
N85 DC and owned by Martinez Marquina, which was seized at the Barcelona
airport in the state of Anzoategui on 19 May. That day marked the beginning
of the final stage in a process that began over a year ago.
Attorney General Hector Serpa Arcas held the press conference accompanied by
officials from his office, Luis Gregorio Gandica, Rosita Silva de Larrazabal
and Iselean Calderon de Sisco. These officials were active in the investiga-
tion that'led to the capture of Ciro Antonio Martinez Marquina. The latter is
said to be very wealthy and specifically the owner of the Servipeca enter-
,Prise, inCiudad. Ojeda, a company responsible for contracting services in the
oil area.
Serpa Arcas emphasized that the capture of the so-called drug tsar is the re-
sult of the combined efforts of the Attorney General's Office and DISIP
(Directorate of Intelligence and Prevention Services). The relevance of the
fact lies in Martinez Marquina's link with international drug trafficking,
particularly in Colombia, in the person of the famous Carlos..LeSe.r.
It was on 26 February 1984 when Serpa Arcas was informed of the capture of
small aircraft in national territory. He issued instructions for a secret
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investigation, which produced a further investigation into routes and connec-
tions of the illlegal trafficking in narcotics and war weapons.
On 19 May, the small plane belonging to Martinez Marquina was seized in Bar-
celona. The aircraft was found to contain compartments added to the original
structure and investigators discovered 64.5 grams of a white powder in one
of them. The powder turned out to be cocaine. The drug was scattered around,
leading investigators to believe that what they were dealing with was traces
of'a load previously transported.
Kaminsky, the pilot, was detained and it was immediately learned- that.the
owner of the Lear jet was Martinez Marquina. The investigation continued
and raids were staged in Caracas and several cities in the interior. These
operations made it possible to make the seizure in Merida of war weapons, some
of them of a sophisticated nature and some with original accessories attached
such as silencers. The capture of the tsar and Edgar Alirio Diaz came in
Puerto La Cruz on 28 May.
The type of weapons seized is noteworthy. The sophisticated nature of some of -
them, such as the Ingram submachine guns with silencers attached, along with
one Uzi and another with no make on it, easier to handle and all without serial
numbers, differs from conventional weapons used by guerrilla groups. This
was noted by the attorney general, who indicated that the link between weapons
Y~~... Maw
tra ick w and uerrillas is no longer as real as the one ?that can die~nesw~taS!
dished between weapons trafficking and drug trafficking.
Penalties
An arrest warrant was issued for Ciro Antonio Martinez Marquina and Edgar
Alirio Diaz for their involvement in crimes outlined in Articles 31 and 44 of
the Organic Law on Narcotics and Mind-Altering Substances, which carry a maxi-
mum penalty of 25 to 30 years in prison. The penalty for illegal carrying of
weapons varies between 2 and 5 years imprisonment. American Rick Kaminsky
will be subject to Article 31 of the Antidrug Law, with a penalty of from
10 to 20 years.
Luis Ramirez Sanchez Detained
Caracas EL UNIVERSAL in Spanish 15 Jun 85 p 4-32
[Article, by Carlos Castillo]
[Text) Luis Ramirez Sanchez, director general of Servipreca, which operates
in Ciudad Ojeda in the state of Zulia, was arrested yesterday. Ramirez Sanchez
is linked by authorities with the group of narcotics traffickers recently
denounced by Minister of Justice Jose Manzo Gonzalez.
The news was confirmed here in Caracas by the deputy director of the Judicial
Technical Police (PTJ), Dr Mauro Yanez Pasarela, who added that the arrest
was made by DISIP in the city of San Cristobal, Tachira.
G
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The PTJ also learned that through Interpol, American authorities' have reported
the capture of Colombian William Zing, owner of a Sabra aircraft and suspected
of involvement in international drug trafficking. Zing is a partner of Ciro
Antonio Martinez Marquina in Aero Internacional, one of whose Leader [sic]
jets MCD-85 was seized in Barcelona, Anzoategui, carrying a load of.cocaine.
Zing was arrested in Houston based on information from Venezuelan authorities.
Police have information according to which the Leader jet MCD was to be used,..,,,.,,.,,....
by the drug ring in order to get Carlos Lehder out of the country. Lehder is
involved in a criminal conspiracy aimed at Minister of Justice Jose Manza
Gonzalez and also Attorney General Luis Gregorio Gandica, along with
deputies David Morales Bello, Wladimir Gessen and Carlos Tablante.
Manzo Gonzalez himself confirmed that Lehder was part of the group planning
an attack on him in Miami when the government of the United States invited him
to discuss matters related to narcotics trafficking affecting that country as
well as our own.
Deputy Carlos?Tablante, another of the targets, held a long interview with
the deput
directo
f
y
r o
the PTJ, Mauro Yanez Pasarela.
The meeting between the deputy and police chief began at 1600 hours.
Further on Ramirez Sanchez
Caracas EL NACIONAL in Spanish 15 Jun 85 p D-32
[Article by H. A.)
C
[Text] Luis Ramirez Sanchez, brother of Carlos Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, known
as "El Chacal" [the Jackal] for his?Eerrorist activities, was arrested" eser-
~? day 'security officials in San Antonio del Tachira.
The information confirmed by a high police spokesman notes that DISIP officials
have been engaged in an intense investigation of a group of narcotics traf=
fickers planning to make an attempt on the lives of the minister of justice,
a number of deputies and political leaders.
The affair began in Puerto La Cruz on 28 May, when Edgard Diaz and Ciro
Antonio Martinez Marquina, known as the "drug tsar," were arrested. An air-
plane carrying drugs.and a shipment of weapons was seized.
Martinez Marquina is the owner of Petroleum Services Company (SERVIPECA),
i which operates in Ciudad Ojeda in the state of Zulia, where Edgard Diaz also
works.
--)Luis Ramirez Sanchez is the general manager of the company, which is linked to
and has connections with international drug rrafficking. especially with mafia
leaders in Bogota. Colombia.
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DISIP officials arrested Ramirez Sanchez following a methodical investigation
that led them to San Antonio del Tachira, where the arrest took place. The
brother of El Chacal will be brought to Caracas soon, it was learned.
Tachira Plane Explosion
Caracas EL NACIONAL in Spanish 15 Jun 85 p D-32
(Text) The small plane with Colombian registration that crashed along the
Saravena-Cucuta route in Venezuelan territory Thursday was carrying drugs and
weapons.
The blue-and-white Piper 28 Cherokee, bearing initials HK-2202-P, was carrying
four persons, pilot Rafael Perez Montilla and attendants Miriam. Leal Silva,
Raul Amezquita and Lizardo Vera. All were of Colombian nationality and pre-
sumed to be members of the terrorist group M-19. They all perished in the
accident.
The plane crashed in the Macanilla sector in the so-called Chorro El Indio
gorge, located in the Cardenas district of the state of Tachira, some 20 kilo-
meters from San Cristobal. However, it takes 8 hours on foot to reach the
rugged mountains area.
It was reported that the army transmitter system in San Cristobal picked up the
conversation between the aircraft occupants and another plane concerning drugs
and weapons.
State security forces and military personnel left for the crash site, for the
purpose of bringing back the bodies .nd carrying out an inspection to verify
the existence of drugs and weapons.
In Caracas, officials were awaiting communications from San Cristobal so that
police might be informed and provide data on the incident.
Subversive Plan Found
Caracas EL DIARIO DE CARACAS in Spanish 13 Jun 85 D'64 [Article by Diana Ramon Vilarasau)
[Text];, Following the raid on Servipeca in Ciudad Ojeda, belonging to Ciro
Antonio Martinez Marquina, nicknamed the new "d
rub, tsar in Venezuela," state
security agencies are investigating the connection of international drug traf-
ficking with a plan to "eliminate" Venezuelan authorities who in one way or
another have participated in the fight against drugs.
On 19 May, a Lear jet belonging to Martinez Marquina, bearing initials N85DC
and piloted by American Rick John Kaminsky (arrested), was seized. Found on
the aircraft were 64.5 grams of cocaine, scattered, leading authorities to
believe that they were traces from a much larger load already carried.
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In a combined action of the Office of Attcrney General and DISIP, officials
later seized war weapons, several of a sophisticated nature and with special
accessories such as silencers. They included Ingram submachine guns with
silencers, one Uzi and others with no make and said to "differ from the con-
ventional type used by guerrilla groups.."
On 28 May, the owner of the plane, Martinez Marquina. was captured in Puerto
La Cruz, along with his partner, Edgar Alirto Diaz, charged with illegal
trafficking in arms and drugs.
Semi-official sources report that SERVIPECA, belonging to Martinez Marquina
and responsible for contracting services in the oil area, was recently raided.
The company is said to have served as a front for the real activities of the
group involved in trafficking.
Through subsequent investigations and based on results of different raids made,
it is presumed that this local branch of international drug trafficking was
planning to eliminate -- based on documents and photographs found in the
places raided -- Minister of Justice Jose Manzo Gonzalez, victim of an assas-
sination attempt in Miami last year, deputies David Morales Bello, Vladimir
Lessen, Carlos Tablante and Luis Gregorio Gandica, an official in the Ministry
of Justice active in several drug cases, including that of Martinez Marquina.
Officials found at SERVIPECA, among other things, a card belonging to Luis
Ramirez Sanchez, brother of Carlos Illich Ramirez, identifying him as director
general of the enterprise, as a result of which they are investigating the
possible link between this plan and "El Chacal" and seeking two Colombians,
one of them nicknamed "El Chopo," confidence men of the drug chieftain in
Colombia, Carlos Lehder. The two may have been the men hired to carry out the
plan in which the weapons found would be used.
These facts also fit in with a meeting of drug trafficking chieftains that it
is believed was to occur in the eastern region and in which Lehder and Martinez
Marquina were to participate.
11,464
CSO: 5300/2312
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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VENEZUELA
NEW DRUG TRAFFICKING CENTER IN EASTERN REGION
Caracas EL DIARIO DE CARACAS in Spanish 13, 14 Jun 85
(Article by Francisco Olivares)
[13 Jun 85 p 9]
[Excerpt) For several months now, drugs have been seized coming from Colombia,
crossing the central Valencia-Maracay route and from there, moving to Cumana or
Carupano. The National Guard, police, politicians and the pe in
'
wondered how the drugs could be moved so far overland withoutodetectionnataan
point. According to statistics, only 10 percent of the drugs circulating in
our country are detected. any
Everything indicates that the new epicenter of drug trafficking is in Maturin,
the Delta area, Cumana, Barcelona, Carupano and Puerto Santo, and that in addi-
tion, Rio Caribe, Mejillones, Mocuro and other points on the Paria Peninsula are used.
The means used to carry the drugs to the Caribbean islands is boats with dnnble
high-powered engines whose speed takes them out of the reach of the craft
used by the National Guard. Furthermore, they are practically invisible at
night because they navigate skirting the coast where the Guard vessels drawing
2 meters of water cannot venture. In addition th
refu
e i
l
g
g n times of danger. , e n
ets and coves
i provide
The boats used by traffickers travel on the water with their floatation line
practically submerged.
The 1oisd being moved to world distribution centers, including Trinidad San
Vicent and other islands, rarely exceeds from 4 to 5 kilograms per
kilo of cocaine taken tc Trinidad is worth over 10,000 bolivars. boa 0
This eastern area with a long tradition of smuggling was forced
"Black Friday," to chan
foll
e it
i
,
g
ow
n
s habits. &
longer produces dividends. Instead Smuggling goods into Venezuela no
a good operation for the , supplying a bridge for cocaine has become
table smugglers! Prosperous eastern merchants, who were once respec-
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ILLEGIB
(14 Jun 85 p 101
[Excerpts] The eastern region reports that international drug trafficking
figures have recently been spotted there, as a result of which the Unified
Police Command of Cumana and Carupano have planned action seeking trails that
would lead it to drug chieftains. Officials 'of the Regional Unified Command
say that they are at a disadvantage due to the vast resources used by the
traffickers, who have large sums of money to "soften up" any terrain.
The recent arrest of the so-called "drug czar" in Anzoategui confirms the
intensification of operations in the eastern region of the country. Weapons
and photographs were seized, along with the records of Parliament and Cabinet
members active in the fight against narcotics trafficking. This leads one to
assume that the traffickers are trying to develop activities in the region and
eliminate those who get in the way of their operations.
Trinidad is one of the most important centers for the reception of cocaine and
marijuana. According to information we have obtained, one Adela Moses, better
known as "the queen of cocaine," operates there. Her center of activity is in
Puerto Espan where she owns a number of stores. Those who have seen her
describe her as a very elegant woman.
Trinidad receives the goods from Venezuela. From there, the drugs are trans-
ported to the 30 million consumers that exist in the United States or to the
equally large European market.
Those who once smuggled in liquor and other goods switched to coca after the
Venezuelan devaluation. The cocaine turned into a better option, for it can
be carried to the Caribbean in small quantities and at little risk and obtain
huge profits.
In the state of Sucre, there is a high percentage of unemployment. Prostitu-
tion and gambling and betting are growing in its cities. There is every
possible type of "easy business" directed by persons from other cities.
This situation is new to the peaceful region, once devoted to fishing and
tourism.
According to reports by Deputy Carlos Tablante as a result of a tour of the
region, over 50 persons are now being investigated by security agencies. Most
of them: are "mules," meaning that they only carry the goods to the distribution
center. Most of them have businesses in Cumana and Carupano or engage in
operations related to the fishing industry. However, behind this apparent
commercial activity are relations with high drug figures. They use their
vehicles and boats to transport and distribute the product, which is marketed
clandestinely.
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ACETONE DRUMS SEIZED--Puerto Ayacucho, 14 Jun--A total of 36 drums of acetone
have been seized from a barge on the Orinoco River near Puerto Ayacucho, in
the Amazon Federal Territory. The seizure was made by the National Guard on
Santa Maria Island, where there is an inspection station to control goods
taken from Ciudad Bolivar to the Amazon Federal Territory. It was the
second such seizure made by the National Guard in the region in less than
2 months. [Text] [Caracas EL NACIONAL in Spanish 15 Jun 85 p D-321 11,464
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