557. Memorandum From Arnold Nachmanoff of the National Security Council Staff, to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2
SUBJECT:
- High Panamanian Official Implicated in Drug Trafficking
In the memo at Tab A Ted Eliot calls to your attention potential problems which may result from a recent narcotics seizure in which a high Panamanian official appears to be involved and may be publicly implicate. Panama has become a major conduit for heroin and cocaine traffic to the United States and there have been various indications that a number of Panamanian government officials, including the brother of Panamanian strongman General Omar Torrijos, are involved in the illegal trafficking.
Investigation of a recent seizure in Miami of 1300 pounds of marijuana from Panama indicates the possible involvement of Colonel Manuel Noriega, G–2 of the National Guard and right-hand man of General Torrijos. Noriega, in addition, has been acting as Panamanian coordinator of joint US-Panamanian task force program on narcotics control. The defendant in this Miami seizure case may testify publicly to Noriega’s involvement, and there is a possibility that Noriega will be indicted.
Public implication of Noriega could have serious internal political repercussions in Panama. More importantly for us, however, it could focus public and Congressional attention on the narcotics problem in Panama with a possible spillover effect on canal talks and on ratification of any new treaty. Congressman Murphy’s Panama Canal Subcommittee is holding hearings on the treaty negotiations beginning on November 29 and he has already indicated an interest in considering the subject of narcotics problems in Panama. Accusations against high officials of the Panamanian Government would provide additional ammunition to those who criticize the Torrijos regime and oppose any change in the status quo of the canal treaty. Unfortunately, a memo on this subject, prepared by BNDD for Congressman Murphy has already leaked in Jack Anderson’s column today.
BNDD Director Ingersoll is visiting Panama and will be discussing the narcotics problem with Panamanian officials, including General Torrijos. We will follow this situation closely.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 791, Country Files, Latin America, Panama, Vol. 1, 1 March 1970–31 December 1971. Secret; Exdis. Sent for information. Attached but not published at Tab A is a November 23 memorandum from Eliot to Kissinger.↩
- Nachmanoff summarized a recent memorandum from Eliot regarding potential problems that might result from a recent narcotics seizure and informed Kissinger that Panama had become a major conduit for heroin and cocaine traffic to the United States. Nachmanoff’s main concern was the possible effect that public and congressional attention on the narcotics problem might have on the Canal negotiations.↩