Volume I Drug and Chemical Control

I. Summary
El Salvador is a transit country for narcotics, mainly cocaine and heroin. In 2005, the National Police (PNC) seized 33 kilograms of cocaine and 24 kilograms of heroin. Salvadoran law enforcement agencies cooperated with U.S. authorities on cases that led to the U.S. conviction of 711 drug traffickers. Although El Salvador is not a major financial center, assets forfeited and seized as the result of drug-related crimes amounted to US$521,151.

II. Status of Country
Located in the isthmus between the United States and the major drug producing nations, El Salvador is a transit point for trafficking. Cocaine and heroin are the most commonly trafficked drugs. Precursor chemical production, trading, and transit are not significant problems.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2005

Policy Initiatives. In 2005, the Government of El Salvador (GOES), in cooperation with other Central American countries, implemented Operation Controlled (Operacion Controlado) to interdict narcotics trafficking through Central America. The operation established joint patrols by the counternarcotics police of each country along the unmonitored areas in Central American border regions.

Accomplishments. Several significant developments during the year demonstrated the GOES commitment to achieving compliance with the objectives of the 1988 UN Drug Convention. The Embassy-supported Containerized Freight Tracking System (CFTS) at the Amatillo border crossing with Honduras has been in operation for a year and a half. The facility permits the GOES to inspect commercial and passenger vehicles arriving from Honduras. In 2005, police at the CFTS seized 5kg of marijuana, 8kg of cocaine, and 15kg of heroin, and arrested 16 individuals for trafficking offenses.

USG aircraft deployed to the Forward Operation Location (FOL) at the Salvadoran Air Force base in Comalapa track aircraft and sea vessels moving north towards the United States. FOL aircraft report their findings to U.S. law enforcement agencies, which then notify regional governments. In 2005, cooperation between the FOL, the Embassy, the Salvadoran Air Force, and the police resulted in the seizure of 46mt of cocaine, by U.S. law enforcement agencies and other regional governments.

In July 2004, the GOES implemented Plan Super Heavy Hand in response to rising youth gang violence. Although the plan addresses all gang related activity, it also aims to disrupt narcotics trafficking and distribution controlled by gangs. During the year, the police arrested 973 gang members and convicted 778 gang members for drug trafficking and distribution offenses.

Law Enforcement Efforts. Salvadoran law enforcement efforts are hindered by constitutional prohibitions against investigative tools such as wiretapping. Investigations were further hampered by a lack of cooperation between the Attorney General and the police. Although the Attorney General did not impede investigations, his failure to seek arrest and search warrants in a timely manner severely restricted police operations against narcotics trafficking.

Law enforcement efforts in 2005 were primarily focused on priority targets of mutual interest to both the United States and the GOES. Salvadoran police investigators and prosecutors traveled to the United States on numerous occasions to share intelligence and coordinate operations. Joint cooperation led to the conviction of William Eliu Martinez, a former Salvadoran federal legislator extradited to the United States on drug charges. Apart from joint operations, the PNC seized 480 kilograms of marijuana, 33 kilograms of cocaine, and 25 kilograms of heroin. PNC officers arrested 2696 individuals for drug related offenses, 711 of which resulted in convictions.

Corruption. As a matter of policy, the GOES does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotics or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. Under Salvadoran law, using one’s official position in relation to the commission of a drug offense is an aggravating circumstance that can result in an increased sentence of up to one-third of the statutory maximum. This includes accepting or receiving money or other benefits in exchange for an act or omission in relation to one’s official duties. The PNC’s Internal Affairs Unit and the Attorney General’s Office investigate and prosecute GOES officials for corruption and abuse of authority.

In 2005, the INL-supported and U.S.-based National Strategic Information Center, in cooperation with the Salvadoran Ministry of Education, continued implementing the Culture of Lawfulness program in Salvadoran schools. The program focuses upon the advantages, to the individual and society, of a culture of lawfulness. Special emphasis is placed on the social costs of corruption and bribery. In 2005, 15 teachers were trained in the mechanics of presenting the program.

El Salvador is a party to the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption. Consistent with the country’s obligations under that Convention, the law criminalizes soliciting, receiving, offering, promising, and giving bribes, as well as the illicit use and concealment of property derived from such activity. El Salvador is also a party to the UN Convention Against Corruption.

Agreements and Treaties. El Salvador is a party to the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances; the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol; the Central American convention for the Prevention of Money Laundering Related to Drug-Trafficking and Similar Crimes; the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols. The current extradition treaty between the United States and El Salvador does not mandate the extradition of Salvadoran nationals. Negotiation of a new treaty has stalled in light of a Salvadoran constitutional ban on life imprisonment, which may prove an obstacle to extradition in some cases. Narcotics offenses are covered as extraditable crimes by virtue of the 1988 UN Drug Convention.

Cultivation/Production. Small quantities of poor quality marijuana are produced in the mountainous regions along the border with Guatemala and Honduras for domestic consumption. The small quantity and poor quality of the crop does not justify the expenditure of a systematic campaign against it. There is no evidence of poppy cultivation.

Drug Flow/Transit. Cocaine and heroin from Colombia typically transits El Salvador via the Pan-American Highway and maritime routes off the country’s Pacific coast. Most drugs transiting terrestrially are carried by commercial bus passengers in their luggage. Both heroin and cocaine also transit by go-fast boats and commercial vessels off the Salvadoran coast.

Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). The GOES manages its demand reduction program through several government agencies. The Ministry of Education presents lifestyle and drug prevention courses in the public schools, as well as providing after school activities. The PNC operates a D.A.R.E. program modeled on the U.S. program. The Ministries of Governance and Transportation have units that advocate drug-free lifestyles. The Public Security Council (Consejo Nacional de Seguridad Publica) is actively involved in demobilization and substance abuse prevention within Salvador’s gang communities.
The Embassy-supported Salvadoran NGO FundaSalva works with the GOES to provide substance abuse awareness, counseling, rehabilitation, and reinsertion services (job training) to the public. In 2005, FundaSalva provided demand reduction services to over 60 individuals. The Embassy also sponsors the U.S.-based "Second Step" program. Second Step is taught in first grade and assists teachers to identify antisocial behavior that later leads to substance abuse and violence. Other less comprehensive demand reduction programs exist, and they are usually faith-based and run by recovering addicts or religious leaders.

IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs

Policy Initiatives. U.S. assistance primarily focuses upon developing El Salvador’s law enforcement agencies, increasing the GOES ability to combat money laundering and public corruption, and ensuring a transparent criminal justice system. From August 5 to October 8, 2005, USG agencies and Central American police forces conducted Operation All Inclusive to gather intelligence on and take enforcement actions against regional narcotics trafficking operations. The successful operation netted 43mt of cocaine, 88 kilograms of heroin, 27mt of marijuana, and 372 arrests.

Bilateral Cooperation. The United States provided funding for operational support of Grupo Cuscatlan and the high-profile crimes unit (GEAN) within the Anti-Narcotics Police. The United States also funded training and travel related to airport security, money laundering, maritime boarding operations, and antigang measures. DEA and INL officers work closely with the PNC counternarcotics unit, the PNC financial crimes unit, the Financial Investigations Unit of the federal prosecutor’s office, and the federal banking regulators on issues relating to drug trafficking and money laundering.

Road Ahead. The United States will continue to provide operational support to Salvadoran law enforcement institutions, anti-money laundering training, and essential investigative tools. Together with the U.S. Department of Treasury, the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador plans to provide a secure communication link and database to be shared by the police, the Attorney General’s office, and the banking regulators to facilitate money laundering and narcotics investigations.