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OBJECTIVES
Sir,
The overall objective, as specified by the United States Law Enforcement
Agencies is to convict the three ring leader brothers ;
1. Marcus COHAB
2. Hugo MADA
3. Lewis APARECIO
using the paper trail generated by a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, the
charge being of `Historical Conspiracy`.
In brief this relies upon statements made by the conspirators being
substantiated by three pieces of paper referring to facts or allegations
contained within the confession. Although no seizure of cocaine is
required the presence in this circumstance is a bonus.
In an effort to pursue this method Bermuda will become involved directly in so
much as they have collated documentation relating to conspirators connected to
the brothers. All persons concerned CAN be charged with the offence, this
includes the Americans currently in custody in Bermuda.
The U.S. investigation will be conducted as an O.C.D.E.T. case and will come
under the `umbrella` of the currently active `WHEELER` file.
The D.E.A.`s O.C.D.E.T. reference is Case # C3/90/Z009.
PASSIVE ENQUIRY
To enable the case to proceed efficiently it is necessary for persons concerned
in the conspiracy to be interviewed.
The first subject to be spoken with, Victor ALONGI, had provided the initial
connection between Bermuda and the United States.
Although ALONGI has now declined to speak with law enforcement agencies, when he
made this choice he was subject of a local prosecution and liable to a fixed
imprisonment period of about five years in relation to the cocaine found in his
possession.
It is now intended to supersede this prosecution and proceed Federally and thus,
being a second time offender, subject to a larger sentence. Alongi is
currently being prosecuted by Monmouth County.
It is generally felt that, facing this situation, ALONGI will speak to police by
means of a `proffer arrangement. In short he will approach police and in a
confidential agreement will provide general information relating to the
knowledge that he possesses. The information is then considered and if
accepted an arrangement is made to offer limited immunity from prosecution or
even the dismissal of charges. ALONGI would be required to testify.
It is believed that ALONGI can give the Bermuda conspirators.
It is of note that ALONGI was arrested in possession of the second largest
`street seizure` of cocaine for the County, and that, therefore, the single
pound in weight is not being considered as a trivial amount by U.S. Authorities.
Similarly the quantities of cocaine discovered in Bermuda are viewed as vital
links to the overall conspiracy as is the physical evidence seized. In fact the
enthusiasm shown by all law enforcement officers has been one hundred percent
and it is the overall conspiracy which is providing serious motivation, and
about which Bermuda can offer real assistance.
The U.S. law enforcement officers are of the opinion that this is a good case to
pursue as the evidence is already obtained and blatant.
United States officers will be travelling to Bermuda (this will take about two
weeks to arrange in order to Deputize the State Troopers) in order to interview
the Americans in custody here. Again, these people are part of the U.S.
conspiracy and therefore liable to prosecution by the U.S. It has been
requested that Bermuda provide an Attorney to be present for the initial
interviews.
The request is for two reasons ;
1. It is anticipated that on the first interview the suspects will lie.
The inconvenience of conveying a U.S. Attorney to Bermuda to record lies is
impractical.
2. The reason for requiring an Attorney at all is that, by United States law,
any notes that are made by officers are `discoverable`, that is to say that they
are available to the defence Attorney at any subsequent trial. It is not
in the prosecutions interest for lies to be brought to the attention of the
defence and therefore diminish the credibility of the the conspirator's
evidence. If such notes are recorded by an Attorney then they are subject
to Legal Privilege and not `discoverable`.
In respect of the paper work and statements required to pursue the Historical
Conspiracy mention has been made by the Assistant District Attorney and the
D.E.A. of the Bermuda suspects. The involvement of persons such as Ming
and Dillas has furthered the commission of the trafficking offence and as such
they render themselves liable to prosecution in another Country (as with Miranda
etc.). The U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies expressed a keen interest in
pursuing the Bermuda locals with a view to extradition.
In the event that evidence suitable for the Historical Conspiracy is forthcoming
(and the general attitude is that this is inevitable), failure to obtain the
Bermudian conspirators as either defendants or witnesses could seriously hamper
a prosecution within the U.S. purely because of an inability to substantiate
allegations.
Another evidential consideration is the use of `wire tap` evidence. Once
the collation aspect of this investigation is completed and the information
gathering process is underway, the U.S. will be using all the methods at their
disposal. In light of a recent Supreme Court ruling guide lines are sought
to ensure such evidence is admissible in Bermuda`s Courts also.
It would appear that Kent HOLDER (Bermudian) is involved in the
conspiracy, it seems likely that the cocaine found in his possession, and for
which he is now serving a sentence, can be traced to a conspirator in this
investigation. The U.S. intended to visit HOLDER and interview him in
prison.
The connection was
derived by Holder`s name appearing in connection with Ebbin and Dillas
correspondence / answer machine tape. The U.S. Law Enforcement Officers
had information connecting another party which fitted Holder`s profile.
Today, Wednesday,
20th June, 1990, (D.E.A.) called me in from the U.S. and stated that he had
viewed the computer case file of HOLDER and that as a result of the information
disclosed (see Intelligence section ref ) HOLDER would be considered
as a prime suspect for distribution interrogation.
To date, only a small fraction of the overseas telephone numbers obtained in
Bermuda have been passed to the U.S. agencies and these refer to Miranda`s
cellular telephone. It is intended to further the rest of the documents
and these are being analyzed by the U.S., the results will be made available to
us for further enquiries to be conducted in Bermuda. It is anticipated
that telephone numbers will be discovered that have significance to the
investigation. The intention is then to provide Telephone Company with the
overseas telephone numbers and serve an order for the production of all local
calls to the overseas numbers.
With regard to LATINI, the mention of the condominium complex which
LATINI stated that he owned will be pursued and the D.E.A. are in possession of
the keys that LATINI claims are to his night deposit drop. The U.S. are
convinced that the keys do in fact belong to a safety deposit box.
The condominium complex will be targeted for associates and with regard to the
potential for seizure under drug trafficking forfeiture legislation.
The key in Miranda`s possession has also been passed to the D.E.A. and the claim
that this is to a house safe will also be pursued.
The latest development is with regard to a call that I received from a
Massachusetts State Trooper. The Officer is responsible for Boston
Airport and was the arresting officer of a male, DE JESUS, arrested in
possession of $38,000, and about which Bermuda has intelligence. The
officer was contacted by State Police with regard to antecedent information
about DE JESUS. A copy of the officer`s report will also be sent to
Bermuda (by Fax).
Officer Cepero has offered to assist in any way possible, either in respect of
this enquiry or with regard to future trafficking. The officer has
requested any details that we can supply concerning the use of `body carriers`
with regard to imported drug or exported currency. This documentation
would assist them in complying with their `probable cause` directive and, quite
obviously be of benefit to us.
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