125. Telegram From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State1
5731. Subject: Allegation of Involvement of General Omar Torrijos in Cocaine Traffic.
1. Bogota DEA Office (BDO) has just informed me that they have unconfirmed information from one of their confidential informants (CI’s) of a cocaine deal with Panama which involves General Omar Torrijos himself, and that CI has been invited to “invest” in the proposed deal and visit Panama later this month to take part in negotiations possibly to include (allegedly) contacts with General Torrijos. BDO’s question is whether to instruct CI to enter scheme and go to Panama or not. Because of obvious extreme sensitivity and possible ramifications I am submitting matter for Department’s information, guidance and instructions.
2. BDO’s information is as follows: CI SZE–6–0012 states that a Colombian group, principals of which are a Hernan Garcia Mora, a not well-known flour mill owner and businessman, Alejandro Lozano Aparicio, Colombian national (otherwise unidentified) and a Colombian Air Force Captain Russi, invited him to travel to Panama with them between June 15 and June 20 to meet with General Omar Torrijos and his brother. Allegedly, Garcia Mora will be discussing a legitimate coffee and sugar transaction, but under cover of this, group will also discuss a future cocaine delivery. Lozano, who is a long time friend of CI, offered this “business opportunity” to CI. According to CI, he was told group will be met at Panama airport by General Torrijos. Garcia Mora will be carrying a letter from President Lopez introducing this group and their coffee and sugar trade proposals. This letter and the trade “mission” are legitimate and will be used by the group as the cover. CI further stated that an unknown man involved in Panama’s casinos will be the contact man when the cocaine is delivered. This person is said to be an “extremely close friend” of Torrijos. Bogota CI is in a position to either accept the offer and travel with the group to Panama or to decline.
3. BDO informs me that CI has been used by them for about a month; he is an emerald dealer, allegedly never involved himself in narcotics, but who “knows” the criminal network. He was recruited to provide intelligence information. Information provided so far looks good, but its reliability has not really been tested. BDO states CI “fell into” above [Page 333] information; it was not part of intelligence BDO has been seeking develop with CI. BDO further tells me that as far as can be ascertained Garcia Mora and company have never been in narcotics before. BDO speculates that what happened is that someone in Panama, aware of a legitimate business venture and trip, contacted Lozano and suggested use of it as cover for cocaine deal, and Lozano contacted CI because they probably need him for connections with cocaine traffickers. BDO has confirmed that two Colombian Air Force flights are scheduled between June 15 and 20, one of which will be carrying Commander of Colombian Air Force on a legitimate visit to Panama and who might very likely be met at airport by General Torrijos. Whether there is any connection between this and CI version, whether businessmen and Air Force Captain involved would be on that plane or not, is all speculation at this point.
4. BDO states it does not know how good CI’s information is as to General Torrijos’ involvement, and that conceivably General Torrijos’ name is simply being invoked by others (possibly family) trying to set up deal. I personally am very skeptical that General Torrijos himself is involved or would himself “negotiate”. Nor do I discount possibility story brought to us as provocation. Nevertheless since we have received that information and CI is in effect asking whether he should go (on our behalf), there is an issue. There are obviously three options: a) simply drop matter; b) send the CI; or c) do not send CI, but have him simply keep contact and see if he gets any other information. (In this case if group hoped to use CI to get cocaine, CI would have to “introduce” them to other potential connections and step aside).
5. Basic issue of course is whether USG through DEA agents should set up an operation designed to confirm, probe, expose or entrap (depending on how one looks at it) a foreign Chief of State, and the information this would put into the hands of a Colombian informant regarding DEA agents’ interest in, and presumably efforts to probe, General Torrijos’ possible involvement.2
6. BDO would appreciate guidance and instructions. To restrict dissemination, above information has not been passed in normal channel to HQS DEA, Caracas Regional Office or Panama DEA. Department will wish to make appropriate distribution (BDO suggests Mr. J. Jensen Deputy Administrator). Since I cannot make lateral distribution in this channel, Dept. may also wish inform Ambassador Jorden and get his appraisal.