PROJECT 8501

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00788R001900750015-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 2, 2001
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: March 18, 1985
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release IAQ
SECRET P96-00788RO01 900750015-5
18 March 1985
SG1J
SUBJECT: Project 8501 (U)
1. (S/NOFORN) Prior to 15 February 1985, this office was alerted to
the possibility of assisting the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in the
investigation of the reported kidnapping of a DEA agent known as
Enrique Camarena Salazar. On 15 February 1985, DEA officially
requested Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assistance. On 16
February 1985, authorization to assist DEA in this investigation was
received from DIA and collection efforts began within hours. SG1J
2. (S/NOFORN) The operations involved five sources and one
interviewer (the undersigned). The interviewer was aware of the
available open source information (newspapers, television and radio
reports, etc.) but had not been in contact with DEA personnel or aware
of any "close hold" DEA investigative information. DIA,
had met with DEA officials and provided the inter a
photograph of Camarena. It was decided and the undersigned)
to use a "sealed envelope" target acquisi ion technique so as to keep
the sources as scientifically "blind" as possible and to alleviate
"AOL." The geographic coordinates of the U.S. Consulate in
Guadalajara, Mexico, the time and date of the reported kidnapping, the
name Enrique Camarena Salazar, and a photograph of Camarena were all
placed in a sealed envelope. At the time of each interview the source
was asked to describe "the critical location" associated with the
envelope. Each source was questioned prior to being interviewed to
determine the degree of "pre-viewing" background information he had.
3. (S/NOFORN) Prior to the interview source #63 stated that he had
no idea what the interview would be about or any preconceived notion
of what was in the sealed envelope. Source #16 stated that he had
heard a radio announcement concerning the Camarena kidnapping earlier
in the day and thought that the interview may concern this. At this
point source #16 was told that the interview did concern Camarena and
the interview started from there. Source #35 had no idea what the
interview might concern nor what the sealed envelope might contain.
However, during the course of the interview it became necessary to
inform source #35 that we were searching for a person whose photograph
Classified by: CDR, INSCOM
Declassify On: OADR
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was in the sealed envelope. Source #73 stated that he had no idea
what the interview would be about or any preconceived notion of what
was in the sealed envelope. Source #101 had previous knowledge of our
possible involvement with the DEA investigation and stated that he
assumed that the interview concerned this issue. He was informed of
the contents of the sealed envelope and the interview proceeded from
there.
5. (S/NOFORN) Attached here (see Incl 1) is a copy of the data
SG1J provided to DEA by Camarena was found dead on 6 March
1985, and that ended our assistance to the investigation. No feedback
on "the critical location" described by our sources has been provided
or is expected.
Any association with the undersigned and military intelligence is
classified CONFIDENTIAL.
SG1J
1 Incl
as
SECRET
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On 16 February 1985, five separate sources were interviewed concerning
the Salazar kidnapping. The sources were asked to describe "the
critical location" of interest. Below is a description of "the
critical location" based on the salient points of all five sources:
An area of many similar buildings. The buildings are low, flat
roofed, of varied heights but generally one story; run down, ma
of natural material, and light in color. It is a poor
neighborhood with unpaved narrow streets. The one building of
interest is flat roofed like the surrounding buildings but is
bi-level and probably no taller than three stories. This building
i
n nature but people ao
not seem to live there permanently.
Following are individual opinions related by the sources:
Source #63 stated that the building of interest is located among
other similar buildings in a poor area of flat: dry land. There is
a large body of water to the west of the building. There is also
water to the east of the building. The area of the building of
interest can be identified by a unique large building.with a dome
and many archways (see Exhibit I). This unique building had both
a religious and official governmental concept (not further
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identified). The building of particular interest (see Exhibit 2)
is three or four stories tall. It is old but it may have been
renovated. Inside the building it is unexpectedly nice compared
to the outside. There is a room on the north side of the building
which has been prepared for something (not further identified).
Source provided a sketch map of the immediate area around the
building of interest (see Exhibit 3). Special Note: Source #63
is of the opinion that the "building of interest" he has described
may not be the present location of subject (Salazar) but may be to
future location or the place where he will eventually be recovered.
Source #16 stated that the building of interest (the location of
Salazar) (see Exhibit 4) was fronted by an unpaved, perhaps
cobblestone, street with a dirt alley behind the building. There
was an open area to one side of the building which may have been a
parking lot. There were other buildings around this one in this
generally old crumbling area. This area was not on served by a
paved street but nearby there was a paved street on which there
may have been more modern buildings. Highly visible nearby this
area was a large silver water tank like structure (see Exhibit 5).
Source #35 stated that the building of interest is "hidden" among
other buildings and is thought to he unused. This is a very poor
area, almost a slum area. Nearby there may be street-merchants .
Many of the buildings in the area are old or badly damaged and are
boarded up with warning signs. The building of interest (see
Exhibit 6) has a gutted feeling but the top floor is occupied.
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Source #73 stated that the building of interest is in a desert
town, not a city. The structures are made of natural materials
and are located on slightly higher ground than the surrounding
area. The building of interest (see Exhibit 7) is an old building
with many entrances which seems residential. it is not fancy but
has an area inside which has polished tiles which seem to be out
of place with style of the rest of the building. The two story
portion of the building is the important part. In the two story
portion was a man (presumably Salazar) alone in a room sitting in
a chair.
Source #101 stated that the building of interest is in a small
cluster of buildings on a small gentile hill. The streets are
mainly dirt with a noticeable absence of automobile traffic. The
buildings in the area are like adobe and are dirty white and dirty
brown. Outside the buildings there are young men, "hard cases"
who provide the area a paramilitary feeling. The building of
interest (see Exhibit 8) is two maybe three stories high, is dark
and has drapes on the windows. Inside the building, Salazar is
afraid and angry yet determined and hopeful. He is being watched
and he feels he knows where he is.
Information provided herein is unevaluated data. The information is
recommended for use as cuing for other sources of information or as
validation of known or probable situations.
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