from: http://www.drugwar.com/castillo%20to%20hsci.htm Click Here: <A HREF="http://www.drugwar.com/castillo%20to%20hsci.htm">Castillo Addresses the House Select Committee o�</A> ----- Written Statement of Celerino Castillo, 3rd (Former DEA Special Agent) JULY 2000 For THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE The CIA Inspector General Report of Investigation VOLUME II : THE CONTRA STORY Released October 8, 1998 And REPORT ON THE CIA's ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN CRACK COCAINE TRAFFICKING IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION FEBRUARY 2000 Several years ago, as a patriot, I took an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States and its' citizens. I fought for it in Vietnam and as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration. And now, I find myself ready to fight for it once more. Sadly enough, it's a battle against the criminals in my own government. It has cost me so much to become a complete human being. I realize that by exposing these powerful criminals I have placed my life in danger. However, I strongly believe, then and now, that by placing my life on the line, I will make a difference in preserving my country from these criminals. Some of the evidence that you are about to view has never been exposed to the public. These atrocities were committed by my government, from drug trafficking to obstruction of Justice to murder, with relative at ease. The following statement would have been my testimony before the government committees investigating the allegations of US drug trafficking. However, for apparent reasons, I was never summoned to testify. My only conndition was that if I was to be interviewed, I would be allowed to record the interview. Because of my prior experience with the government, that would had been my only proof of what I did or did not say. You will view some, but not many, quotations that you have read in the past. However, I hope that the viewer will focus on these quotations as part of my foundation of evidence for the criminal cases. You will also view some quotations that haven't been witnessed by many. This is essentially important in building my cases against these criminals. As a twenty year criminal investigator, specifically drug cases, I have found overwhelming evidence that would convict, without reasonable doubt, these criminals in my own government. I will also prove, emphatically and without equivocation, that high US Government officials "Obstructed Justice". These individuals should be held accountable for for deceiving the American people, judges and members of Congress. My first responds would have been to Senator John Kerry's "Senate Committee Report on Drugs, Law Enforcement and Foreign Policy". At the time, as a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), I should have had a "God given right" as a citizen and as a government agent to testify before this committee. One of the reasons that the committee gave for not interviewing me, was that the DEA had established, "That no evidence was found that the Contras were involved in drug trafficking." As you read my evidence, you will sense the massive cover up by the DEA and other government agencies because they were terrified of the CIA. Most of the evidence will fall, with confirmation, that IIopango Air Base in El Salvador was the "O'Hare Airport" of drug trafficking. It still boggles my mind why a criminal investigator, for these investigative committees, never bothered to travel to Guatemala or El Salvador to interview US elements of the US Embassies. Some of these agents had gathered the intelligence and evidence that implicated the US Government in drug trafficking. The only reason I could gather would be that the committees came to an understanding with the government about the "drug issue". "In 1995, Deutch, fired two CIA officials from the Office of Operation for Guatemala." NOTE: Chances are that they were hired back as "contract labor". "If this information turns up wrong doing, we will bring these people to justice and make them accountable." John Deutch, DCI - 11-15-96 OVERT ACT : An open, manifest act from which criminality may be implied. An outward act done in pursuance and manifestation of an intent or design. An open act, which must be manifestly proved. Selections from the Senate Committee Report on Drugs, Law Enforcement and Foreign Policy chaired by Senator John. F. Kerry 1988 "We permitted narcotics, we were complicit, as a country, in narcotic trafficking. At the same time, we are spending countless dollars in this country to try to get rid of this problem. As law enforcement officials risk their lives, how can you ask a DEA agent to go out their and risk his life, when there is a whole other policy out there that is willing to overlook narcotics. It's mind boggling." Senator, John Kerry, 1988 INTRODUCTION SPRING OF 1986,...On the basis of this evidence, it is clear that individuals who provided support for the Contras were involved in drug trafficking, the supply network of the Contras was used by drug trafficking organizations, and element of the Contras themselves knowingly received financial and material assistance from drug traffickers. NOTE: I will prove that, not only did the CIA turned a "blind eye", but were complicit in drugs and arms trafficking. Not to mention the participation in assassinations by CIA assets. As you view the evidence, you will find dates, times, places - and for the first time names of CIA officials who participated in the approval as these murders. "There is no question in my mind, "one or more agencies" of the US government had information regarding the involvement either while it was occurring, or immediately thereafter. Reports were reaching the highest councils of our government in the White House and the Justice Department. There is no question about that. I can document that." John Kerry THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH RESPONSE TO CONTRA-DRUG CHARGES In the wake of press accounts concerning links between the Contras and drug traffickers beginning DECEMBER, 1985, with a story by the Associated Press. Both Houses of the Congress began to raise questions about the drug-related allegations associated with the Contras, causing a review in the spring of 1986 of the allegations by the State Department, in conjunction with the Justice Department and relevant US intelligence agencies. Following the review, the State Department told the Congress in April, 1986 that it had at that time "evidence of a limited number of incidents in which known drug traffickers tried to establish connections with Nicaraguan resistance groups." NOTE: John (Jack) McCavett was the CIA Chief of Station in Guatemala and El Salvador during this time period (1980s). Spring of 1986, ...At the time, the FBI had "significant information" regarding the involvement of narcotics traffickers in Contra operations and Neutrality Act violations. NOTE: Costa Rica and El Salvador airbase "Ilopango " were the main targets of these investigations. Footnote: See extensive FBI investigative materials released in discovery in US v Corbo and US v Calero, SD Florida, 1988, documenting information the FBI had collected regarding these matters from 1984 - 1986. See Iran/Contra Deposition of FBI Agent Kevin Currier, Appendix B, Vol. 8 pp. 205-206. FBI 302's of SA Kisyznski, released in US v Corbo, SD Florida 1988. The FBI had already assembled substantial information confirming the Neutrality Act violations, including admissions by some of the persons involved indicating that crimes had taken place. In fact, as the FBI had previously learned from informants, that Cuban-American supporters of the Contras had shipped weapons from south Florida to Ilopango....Corbo, one of the principals in the shipment, explicitly told the FBI that he had participated in shipping weapons to the Contras in violation of US Neutrality laws. NOTE: Did Jack McCavett know this? He states in his responds to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, that "The Contra effort at Ilopango was Closely Supervised". In August 1987, the CIA's Central American Task Force Chief became the first US official to revise that assessment to suggest instead that the links of the Contras to narcotics trafficking was in fact far broader than that acknowledged by the State Department in 1986. Footnotes: Iran-Contra testimony of Central American Task Force Chief August 5, 1987, 100-11, pp. 182-183. "Drugs moved in and out"--"Fiers on Ilopango", interview with Iran Contra investigators, 1991 OVERT ACTS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING 1987, DEA Assistant Administrator David Westrate said of the Nicaraguan war: " It is true that people on both sides of the equation (in the Nicaraguan war) were drug traffickers, and a couple of them were pretty significant". Footnote : Subcommittee testimony of David Westrate, Part 4, July 12, 1988, p. 144. THE CONTRA STORY VOL. II (THE AMERICAN CITIZEN) NOTE: DEA at that time, had assembled substantial information of drug trafficking at Ilopango Air Base during Jack McCavett's watch. However, when DEA asked where SA Cele Castillo or SA Sandy Gonzlaes agent's reports were, they testified that there were no reports to implicate the Contras in drug trafficking. Example: Walter Grasheim, US citizen, was running a covert operation at Ilopango since 1984. On May 3,1986, he was forced to land his aircraft in Florida. He had with him two suitcases which contained suspected cocaine. He alleged that he was transporting top secret documents in the suitcases for the CIA. After the incident, he went back to his operation at Ilopango. Jack McCavett was aware of the incident and permitted him to continue his support for the Contras. Jack could had warned everyone at the embassy about the Grasheim allegation. Overt "Obstruction of Justice" by both the DEA & CIA THE PILOTS Gary Wayne Betzner, drug pilot who worked for convicted smuggler George Morales, testified that twice in 1984 he flew weapons for the Contras from the US to northern Costa Rica and returned to the US with loads of cocaine. Be tzner testified that his first delivery of arms to the Contras was in 1983, when he flew a DC-3 carrying grenades and mines to Ilopango in El Salvador. His co-pilot on the trip was Ricahrd Healey, who had flown drugs for Morales. Footnote: Subcommittee testimony of Gary Betzner, Part 3, April 7, 1988, pp.262-265. Address book seized by Customs, Port Charlotte, Florida, N2551, Ma rch 16, 1987. DC-4 seized by the DEA on March 16, 1987. DC-4 was registered to drug traffickers. ...US Law enforcement personnel also found an address book aboard the plane, containing among other references the telephone numbers of some Contra officials and the Virginia telephone number of Robert Owen, Oliver North's courier. NOTE: US Col. Oliver North (DEA file # GFGD-91-9139) was working out of Ilopango during that time period. It is suspected that this DC-4 flew out of Ilopango. Jack McCavett was still in El Salvador. Who was the plane registered to? Col. North was documented in DEA files going back to 1980s. Two years before running for US Senate, he was documented "smuggling weapons to the Philippines with known drug traffickers." HOW ARE WE, AS AMERICAN CITIZENS, TO INTERPRET THIS? OVERT ACTS OF DRUG & ARMS TRAFFICKING In October 1984, Colombian drug trafficker, George Morales, transported a C-47 from Haiti to Ilopango Air Force Base in El Salvador. Morales donated the aircraft to the Contras at Ilopango. NOTE: Ilopango had been utilize by drug trafficker since 1984. Jack McCavett was in Central America or on his way at that time. He should had been brief prior to his arrival. Where are his reports? Footnote: Ibid., p. 15. Adolfo "Popo" Chamorro gave the Subcommittee a list of flights made by that C-47 to ferry arms from Ilopango to Costa Rica and La Penca. Between October 18, 1984 and February 12, 1986, some 156,000 pounds of material were moved from Ilopango to air fields in Costa Rica. NOTE: A clear violation of the Neutrality Act. Footnote: Chamorro, ibid., pp. 11-12. In addition, Cesar told the Subcommittee that he told a CIA officer about Morales and his offer to help the Contras. Senator KERRY: "Did you have occasion to say to someone in the CIA that you were getting money from him and you were concerned he was a drug dealer? Did you pass that information on to somebody?" Mr. Cesar: "Yes, I passed the information on about the --not the relations--well, it was the relations and the airplanes; yes. And the CIA people at the American military attach�'s office that were (sic) based at Ilopango also, and any person or any plane landed there, they had to go..." Morales continued to work with the Contras until January 1986. He was then indicted for a second time in Florida and was arrested on June 12, 1986. In November 1988, the DEA gave Morales a lengthy polygraph examination on his testimony before the Subcommittee and he was considered truthful. Footnote: See correspondence from DEA Mr. Lawn to Senator Kerry, Jan.13, 1989. My Own Investigations At Ilopango: Evidence From My Journals Note: Every DEA 6 report or cable that I submitted was approve by my Country Attache, Robert J. Stia November 08, 1985, Placed a Contra pilot-DEA Informant (Manundo) on a flight to the US from Guatemala. This pilot had severely hurt his leg in an airplane accident in a clandestine airstrip in Costa Rica. His brother, Charlie Manundo also became a DEA informant. DEA Russell Reina was the case agent. FOOTNOTE: DEA case file TG-85-0014, Frank Carvajal-Florez December 05, 1985, Libyans came to Guatemala in an attempt to assassinate Jack McCavett. Information was provided by the DEA Airport detail. A couple of days later, the Libyans were found murdered. Information about the Libyans was given to Cuban-American CIA Officer, Manny Brand. He then gave the order to the Guatemalan G-2. A couple of days later, the Libyans were found murdered. This was reported in the local newspaper. NOTE: The information on the Libyans was given to FBI agent Sullivan (Panama Attach�). Jack McCavett had been stationed in Libya. Overt Act of Murder January 13, 1986, I wrote a DEA 6 report on El Salvador (GFTG-86-9145). January 14, 1986, Met with V.P George Bush re: Contras at Ilopango. NOTE: Bush was forewarned of the Contras-Drug connection. January 16, 1986: Report on aircraft Colombian aircraft -- HK-1217W--Contra pilots Carlos Silva and Tulio Pedras. January 28, 1986: Contra supporter Sofie Amuary, gave the names of Raul Samana and Adela Herrera (Brigada 2506). Salomon Nassad (Armenia) NOTE: DEA file TG-86-0003 Feb. 05, 1986, I seized $800,000 in cash, 35 kilos of cocaine, and an airplane at Ilopango airport in El Salvador. Colombian M-19 terrorist. Note: The above latter case was initiated by Jack McCavett's asset. The operation was conducted by the CIA "goon squad". The squad members were made up of several former Venezuelan Police Officers working as advisors for McCavett. Leader of this group was Victor Rivera who was involved in several murders for the CIA in El Salvador and Guatemala. This is a FACT that is well documented in DEA files. Footnote: DEA-6 Case file TG-86-0001, Giatan-Giatan, Leonel Example: A Salvadoran Military Major was kidnapped in Guatemala by Rivera and his crew. The Major was then tortured and assassinated by Rivera. This was done with the approval of Jack McCavett and CIA agent Manny Brand. I assisted the squad in the capture of the Major in Guatemala City under the pretext that the Major was a fugitive. Who was the plane register to at Ilopango? Overt Act on Murder April 17, 1986, wrote DEA 6's reports on Costa Rican Contra Pilots at Ilopango. Footnote: El Salvador case file GFTG-86-9999, Air Intelligence. March 24, 1986, I wrote a DEA 6 report (GFTG-86-4003) on the Contra operation in El Salvador. It was on Frigorificos de Puntarenas, S.A. US registration on aircraft N-68435 (Cessna 402) white/brown at Ilopango. NOTE: DEA files GFTF-86-9999 (Air Intelligence) and GFTF-86-4003, IE4-C0, Frigorificos de Puntarenas, SA. Who was the plane register to? March 25, 1986, HK-2281P (Tail Number) Juan Mata-Ballesteros Early part of 1986, I received a cable from DEA SA Sandy Gonzales in Costa Rica. He was requesting me to investigate Hangers 4 and 5 at Ilopang o. He advised that they had received reliable information that the Contras were flying cocaine into the hangers. Both hangers were owned and operated by the CIA and the National Security Council. Operators of hanger 4 were US Lt. Col. Oliver North and former CIA agent Felix Rodriguez. (See attached letter by Bryan Blaney (OIC) dated March 28, 1991) FOOTNOTE: Southern Front Contras 447---In April 1986, a CIA cable to Headquarters reported information from a March 18, 1986 DEA report regarding Carlos Amador. According to the cable, the DEA report noted that Amador had recently flown a Cessna 402 from Costa Rica to San Salvador where he had access to Hanger 4 (Felix Rodriguez) at Ilopango air base. The cable also indicated that a "DEA source stated that Amador was probably picking up cocaine in San Salvador to fly toGrand Caymen and then to Florida." The cable also asked that DEA request the San Salvador police investigate Amador and anyone associated with Hangar 4. It linked Amador with Hangar 14 at Tobias Bolanos International Airport in San Jose. The hangar was owned by Segio and Jorge Zarcovic. These two individuals reportedly under DEA investigation in connection with a shipment of cocaine that was seized in Miami. NOTE: See DEA 6s from Costa Rica and El Salvador. Overt Acts of Drug Trafficking & Money Laundering April 1986, The Consul General of the US Embassy in El Salvador, Robert J. Chavez, forewarned me that CIA Officer George Witters was requesting a US visa for a documented Nicaraguan drug trafficker and Contra pilot by the name of Carlos Alberto Amador, mentioned in 6 DEA files. NOTE: McCavett was question by me as to why the CIA was issuing a US visa to a drug trafficker. Answer: "We just need to get the guy to the US." April 17, 1986, I wrote a Contra report DEA 6 (GFTG-86-9999 Air Intelligence) on the Contra operation on Arturo Renick and Johnny Ramirez (both Costa Ricans) at Ilopango air field. Tail numbers of aircraft: TI-AQU and BE-60 NOTE: Who did the planes belong to? June 06, 1986, I send a DEA cable to DEA HQS re: Contra pilots, Carlos Alberto Amador and Carlos Armando Llamos (Honorary Ambassador to Panama). Llamos flew from Ilopango to Panama on an air plane tail number N-308P. Llamos delivered 4 1/2 million dollars to Panama for the Contras. Leon Portilla - TI-ANO; Navajo 31 and YS-265-an American pilot: Francisco Vidal (sic). Roberto Gutierrez (N-82161; Mexican (X-AB) NOTE: Who do these planes belong to? June 11, 1986, Oscar Alvarado-Lara (Guatemalan Contra Pilot) DEA NADDIS number 1927543, transported 27 illegal Cubans to Ilopango, where they were then smuggled into Guatemala. Lara is documented in several DEA files and is a personal pilot for the CIA in Guatemala and El Salvador. His aircraft is identified as TG-REN. "Again this is proof that the CIA participated with documented drug traffickers." NOTE: Who does this plane belong to? June 18, 1986, Francisco Rodrigo "Chico" Guirola-Beeche, Contra Pilot and documented cocaine and weapons smuggler, departed Ilopango with large shipment of cocaine and monies to the Bahamas. June 21, 1986, On Chico's return flight he arrived with passengers Alejandro De Urbizu and Patricia Bernal. In 1988, De Urbizu was arrested in the US in a cocaine conspiracy case. Note: In 1985, Guirola was arrested with 5 1/2 million dollars cash by US Cutoms. It was suspected that the money came from drug traffickers in Los Angeles for the Contras. He was released because of his support for the CIA. "Once more, Guirola went back to working at Ilopago as a document drug trafficker with the approval of the CIA." Aug. 15, 1986, I met with Jack McCavett and CIA Official, Don Richardson in El Salvador re: drug trafficker Fernando Canelas Sanez. Aug. 18, 1986, I received $45,000.00 in cash from CIA Chief of Station, Jack McCavett. This was witnessed by DEA informant Ramiro Guerra and US Lt. Col. Albert Adame. This money was turned over to them with receipt. NOTE: This information is in my Journals and I have the original receipt of the $45,000.00. Aug. 28, 1986, I had a meeting with El Salvador US Ambassador, Edwin Corr re: Wally Grasheim (mentioned in several DEA and FBI files), Pete's Place and Carlos Amador re: CIA US visa for Amador (documented drug trafficker ). Visa requested by CIA agent George Witter. Sept 28, 1987, Oscar Alvarado transported CIA Official Randy Capister from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala to Guatemala City after a joint DEA, CIA and Guatemala Military (G-2) operation. In this operation several individuals were murdered by G-2 and witness by the DEA (Castillo) and CIA Officer Capister. NOTE: Reported in DEA file TG-86-0005. Also reported was Guatemalan Congressman: Carlos Ramiro Garcia de Paz, who as of this date, has a US visa. Overt Act Of Murder Sept. 01, 1986, Walter Grashiem residence in El Salvador was raid by a DEA task force. US military munitions were found. This individual is mentioned in The Contra Story Vol. II. He is documented in several DEA, CIA, US Customs and FBI files. Footnote: January 20, 1987, Joel Brinkley, special to the New York Times, "Contra Arms Crew said to Smuggle Drugs". Note: In late 1984, Donald P. Gregg introduced Col. Oliver North to Felix Ro driguez, (a retired CIA agent) who had already been working in Central America for over a year under George Bush's direction. Gregg personally introduced Rodriguez to Bush on Jan. 22, 1985. Two days after his January 1985 meeting, Rodriguez went to El Salvador and made arrangements to set up his base of operations at Ilopango air base. On Nov. 01, 1984, the FBI arrested Rodriguez's partner, Gerard Latchinian, and convicted him of smuggling $10.3 million in cocaine into the US. October 21, 1986, Sent a telex/cable to Washington DC on the Contras at Ilopango. April 01, 1987, Bob Stia, Walter Morales and myself flew to Ilopango Airbase and met with two CIA Officials who advised us that we could no longer utilize Mario Murga because he was now working with them. Note: Mario Murga was our DEA informant who initiated the flight plans for the Contra pilots at Ilopango. CIA George Witter stole Murga from DEA so that there would be no more reporting on CIA assets. "The CIA has jurisdiction above US federal agencies in foreign countries" ..." McCavett maintained good liaison relationships with the DEA..." John McCavett interview by HPSCI August 30, 1988, Received intelligence from the number three man (Guido Del Prado)at the US embassy in El Salvador re: Carlos Armando Llemus-Herrera (Contra pilot ). NOTE: See DEA 6 on Carlos Armando Llemus-Herrera December 03, 1988, Seized 356 kilos of cocaine in Guatemala DEA report TG-89-0002, Hector Sanchez. NOTE : This case was initiated on Gregorio Valdez, owner and operator of Piper Co. in Guatemala. Personal pilot of Jack McCavett, and CIA Officer Randy Capister. Mr. Valdez and Piper Co. are well documented in DEA files in drug trafficking. For several years, this company was contracted by the CIA and the DEA for support. Thousands of dollars were paid to this company even after they had been documented in DEA files. Several Contra pilots flew out of Piper. "Once more it proves that the CIA & DEA were sleeping with the enemy" OVERT ACTS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING Documented Drug-Traffickers (Contra Pilots) Flying Out of Ilopango Col. Enriques Bermudez, the former Nicaraguan military attach� in Washington, D.C., who had already been placed on the CIA payroll to organize an anti-Sandinista force. Colonel Bermudez would serve as the "Commander in Chief: of the FDN forces at Ilopango. He is well documented in DEA, FBI and CIA files as a suspected drug trafficker. This goes back to 1981. This was never reported to Congress by the CIA. Marcos Aguado, Chief pilot for the Meneses drug organization [see Dark Alliance] who operated out of the FDN clandestine military base at Ilopango. Flew El Salvadoran Air Force planes to Colombia to pick up cocaine and delivered them to US military base (Carswell Air Force base) in Texas. He was also personal pilot for Eden Pastora. Worked hand in hand with another documented drug trafficker, Duran. Aguado was sent to Ilopango to destroy the Islander aircraft, circa July 1984. In 1986, he was documented by DEA as a drug trafficker after an interview. He still flew out of Ilopago with the approval of CIA. 1987: A Congressional report identifies Aguado as an associate of Colombian drug trafficker George Morales. Oliver North aide Rob Owen also identifies Aguado as a Contra pilot operating out of Ilopango. Footnote: Southern Front Contras-277- and 278--In October 1984, the CIA got their first indication that Aguado was involved in drug trafficking. January 1986, CIA cable, Aguado associates were arrested with 600 kilos of cocaine in the US. In April 1986, C IA cable: Adolfo Chamorro "plans to denounce Aguado as being involved in drug trafficking activities. Felix Rodriguez , In March 1986, according to a sworn statement of pilot Michael Tolliver, under Felix Rodriguez's instructions, Tolliver flew a DC-6 aircraft to a Contra base in Honduras, picked up 12 tons of marijuana, and flew the dope to Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. Rodriguez paid Tolliver $75,000. Tolliver said that on another return trip to the US he carried cocaine for Rodriguez. In another circuit of flights, Tolliver and his crew flew between Miami and El Salvador's Ilopango airbase. Tolliver said that Rodriguez "instructed me where to go and who to see." While making these flights, he "could go by any route available without any interference from any agency. We didn't need a stamp of approval from Customs or anybody." Rodriguez was placed at Ilopango airbase by the National Security Council and the CIA. He worked under Jack McCavett (U.S. vs George). In a June 26, 1987 closed session of the Kerry's Subcommittee's, Miliam Rodrigurez testified that in a meeting between Felix Rodriguez and himself an agreement was made within themselves to furnish the Contras with drug money. Felix accepted the offer and $10 million in such assistance was subsequently provided the Contras through a system of secret couriers. Gregg's notes read: Felix knew him at Bay of Pigs, also close to Tom Clines whom Felix used to know---split over Libya." Luis Posada Carriles, In 1985, Felix Rodriguez helped Posada get to Salvador from a Venezuelan prison and brought him straight to Ilopango to work with him. Posada had participated in blowing up a Cuban airliner which took the lives of 78 individuals. Rodriguez gave him the name of Ramon Medina, gave him bogus papers and put him to work for the Contra operation at Ilopango. The job description for this individual was to be head of Logistics. Posada was a "gofor" for the Contra pilots, accommodating them with safe-houses and paying them with cash from banks in Florida and Panama. Note: Lawrence Victor Harrison (DEA informant) testified that he had been present when two of the partners of Felix Gallardo and Matta Ballesteros, Rafael Caro Quintero and Ernesto Fonseca, met with American pilots working out of Ilopango air base in El Salvador, providing arms to the Contras. The purpose of the meeting was to work out drug deals. FOOTNOTE: DEA 6 Report out of Los Angeles "Debriefing of Harrison" Carlos Alberto Amador, A Nicaraguan pilot mentioned in six DEA files by 1987. He is alleged to have smuggled narcotics and weapons to Ilopango from Costa Rica for the Contras. He was carrying credentials signed by General Bustillo, Chief of the Air Force at Ilopango. Individuals known to have flown with him are Carlos Viques, Jorge Zarcovick, Nicola Ly Decker, and Maria Elens Lydecker. Zarcovick was arrest in the US for smuggling large quantities of cocaine. Footnotes: SOUTHERN FRONT CONTRAS- 444-- A July 1985 CIA cable..."Carlos Amador on June 8 that a 150 kilo shipment of cocaine that had been seized near Barra Del Colorad, Costa Rica, ...was destined to the United States." SFC- 445 and 446--CIA cable Aug. 1985..."Carlos Amador was to ferry two airplanes from Miami to Colombia, via San Salvador and Belize... and used in a drug smuggling operation..." NOTE: CIA Agent George Witter attempted to give him a US visa by orders of Jack McCavett, COS at El Salvador. OVERT ACTS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING & MONEY LAUNDERING Francisco Rodrigo Guirola-Beeche, DEA NADDIS # 1585334 and 1744448. This individual is documented in FBI, CIA and US Custom files. On February 6, 1985 Guirola departed Orange County, California in a private airplane with 3 Cuban Americans. It made a stop in South Texas where US Customs seized 5 1/2 million dollars in cash. It was alleged that it was drug money but because of his ties with the Salvadoran death squads and the CIA he was released and the airplane given back. NOTE: In May 1984 Guirola accompanied Major Roberto D'Aubuisson, head of the death squads in El Salvador, to a very sensitive meeting with former CIA Deputy Director Vernon Walters in the US. Walters was sent to stop the assassination of the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, Thomas Pickering. Guirola was documented by me at Ilopango from 1986 to 1989 while Jack McCavitt was in El Salvador. Walter Lee Grasheim (Wally), This individual is a US citizen who was, as far as I was concerned, a mercenary operating a covert operation out of Ilopango. He arrived at Ilopango in 1984. By his own admission he claimed to be working for the CIA, US Army and other governments agencies. On Sept. 01, 1986, his residence in El Salvador was raided by a DEA Task Force. Found were huge amounts of US military munitions that he had no bussiness with, since he was a civilian. Also found was approximately a pound of Marijuana and Marijuana plants. growing in the back yard. He had just violated Salvadoran Law for having these munitions. The Salvadoran Constitution prohibits any foreign nationals or national from having war munitions. The question remains, where did he get these munitions from and who approved it? US Custom agent Richard Rivera attempted to trace the munitions but was stopped short of finding out. An arrest warrant was issued by Lt. Franco of the Salvadoran National Police. In late 1986, Grasheim threatened US Ambassador Edwin Corr, claiming that, "If he went down half of the Mil-group would go down with him." On December 13, 1990, FBI SA Michael S. Foster, interviewed Walter L. Grasheim on behalf of the Office Of Independent Counsel on Iran-Contra. Grasheim claims that he arrived in El Salvador in early 1984. Upon his arrival, he met with Art McArney who was now employed by Bell Helicopter. Grasheim claimed to be selling night vision equipment to the Salvadoran Military. He was Litton Corporation representative in El Salvador. He claimed to have several retired special operations officers working for him . He further claimed that he was doing very well, not only financially but in assisting the Salvadoran Military. Grasheim claims that in 1985, he had had a conversation with US Colonel Aaron Royer, who worked at Defense Security Assistance Agency (DSAA) at the Pentagon. Royer wanted Grasheim to meet Oliver L. North but the meeting never took place. Grasheim claims that Royer had a military items shipping list from North. Royer didn't specifically say, but Grasheim believed this was military items destined for the CONTRAS. Royer had requested that Grasheim provide him with prices and availability of various military items. Grasheim believed this was also related to the CONTRAS. Also in 1985, or early 1986, Col. Steele told Grasheim that the Contras had paid too much for their aircraft, meaning the caribou and the C-123s. Grasheim then identified Mario del Amigo, known as "Mr. Contra" in Honduras. During that time period Grasheim and Mr. del Amigo would travel back and forth to Honduras and El Salvador. Grasheim introduced del Amigo to Rafael Bustillo, Jim Steele and others, "Who were involved with the Contras." Grashe im claims that del Amigo sold arms to the Contras and overcharged them. Del Amigo complained to Grasheim that Secord was selling arms to the Contras and overcharging them as well. Grasheim claims that Del Amigo used to meet with various people and discuss the supply of the Contras at Grasheim's house before it was raided. Grasheim believes that maybe one of the reasons why the raid took place was because Secord's competition used it for meetings. Grasheim believed Del Amigo was running the Contra re-supply operation in El Salvador. Grasheim was in the US military from 1959 to 1961. Grasheim has never had any other affiliation with the military other than this tour of duty and he has never had any affiliation with the CIA. Grasheim then gave up a former Marine by the name of Boykin. He was part of the Mil Group in El Salvador. Boykin retired from the Marines and went to work for the Contras. Boykin is on the cover of an old NEWSWEEK magazine concerning the Contras. Grasheim is mentioned in a story in the same magazine. He also claimed to have known Felix Rodriguez in El Salvador when Rodriguez flew a C-12 from Panama to Ilopango. Grasheim also claimed to have known Luis Rodriguez, a close friend of Felix Rodriguez. Grasheim claims that he had learned that the US Embassy was paying for Felix Rodriguez's car and the fuel for the Contra Re-supply aircraft. He claims that the embassy would send checks to Mexico where the fuel was provided to the re-supply operation. Grashiem acknowledged that his Salvadoran house was raided by DEA agent Celerino Castillo and the local police. Grasheim admitted that he had automatic weapons in the residence. He claims that the raid totally destroyed his business and ruined his reputation. Grasheim states that about a month and a half after the raid, he saw a "state Department guy" in New Orleans. The guy told him, "We were asked to do that (the raid)." After the raid he claims that the US embassy would not help him and that The Litton Corporation took away Grasheim's orders for equipment. Grasheim then claims that he went to the National Police and that he had been advised by the Chief of Police (Regalado) that the raid was ordered by the US embassy. Also in 1986, Grasheim claims that the US military asked him to get night vision goggles to the Contras. Grasheim recalls the incident because he had to make up the sets himself. A US military helicopter took the goggles to the Contras in Honduras. Grasheim also claims that he met with Barbara Studley and John Singlaub and they wanted him to sell night vision equipment to the Contras. They were working with Mike Timpani, a retired US Army helicopter pilot. NOTE : Mike Timpani was the copilot and navigator of the suspicious transportation of "Lady Ellen" from the US to Ilopango. It was a 25 year-old UH-1B (rebuilt Helicopter) to be used for medevac on Contras operations. See Soldier of Fortune Magazine June of 1987 issue. Grasheim claims that he got an idea to prepare a military raid on an airport in Nicaragua, using Tamarindo as a staging base. Grasheim told General Gorman this and then right after, Rodriguez came to see Grasheim without warning and asked to talk about the idea. Rodriguez told Grasheim that he was talking to the White House and the NSC but he didn't tell him any specifics. Rodrigues did tell Grasheim that he talked to Vice President George Bush. Finally, Grasheim admits that he knew Alan Fiers and stated he is another one who was involved in the situation in El Salvador and was aware of Contra re-supply activity. NOTE: In his interview, Grasheim admits to a couple violations of the Neutrality Act. NEUTRALITY LAWS: ACTS OF CONGRESS WHICH FORBID THE FITTING OUT AND EQUIPPING OF ARMED VESSELS, THE ENLISTING OF TROOPS, OR THE ENGAGING IN OTHER SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES; FOR THE AID OF EITHER OF TWO BELLIGERENT POWERS WITH WHICH THE UNITED STATES IS AT PEACE. HSCI VOLUME II: THE CONTRA STORY CIA RECORDS: A US CITIZEN: This "US citizen" that they are discussing is Walter L. Grasheim. 1035--..."Also, no information has been found to indicate that the U.S. citizen's activities in El Salvador were related to the Contras in any manner,... NOTE: (Count 1) Obstruction of Justice by Hitz. Apparently he did not check with Iran-Contra on the Interview of Grasheim on 12-13-90 or did he? 1036---....The April 25, 1986 cable---as mentioned earlier--also made a reference to the US citizen and the Contras. This cable provided an update regarding, the arrest of American citizens suspected of being mercenaries in Brazil. According to the cable, the detainees had been visited in prison by the US citizen and another person, "both of whom are apparent friends of several of the detained mercenaries. Regarding the US citizen, the cable stated that: ...visiting US consul...who previously served in San Salvador, told [CIA] in San Salvador he was a military advisor to Contras operating on the Honduran border with El Salvador... NOTE: The CIA fails to tell us who the mercenaries were. On March 14, 1986, eight American mercenaries were arrested by Brazilian Federal Police off the coast of Rio de Janeiro; their ship, The Nobistor, and its cargo of weapons, ammunition and other military gear was seized. Their mission was the overthrow of the west African country of Ghana. After contacting the American Consulate in Rio, "State Department Guy" Ken Sackett, told them, "I've got some close friends in immigration." We will take care of everything and make sure you're all on the boat to go home." There were identified as "The RIO 8": Steve Sosa, Julio Raul Rodriguez, John Early, Tim Carmody, Fred Verduin, Sheldon Ainsworth, Steve Hedrick and Bob Foti. Most of these individuals had seen action in various hotspots around the world ---Vietnam, Rhodesia, South Africa, EL SALVADOR ( I wonder who gave them approval ), Lebanon and other places. Twenty-five days in jail and didn't hear a word from Sackett. Sackett finally showed up and told them that, "They would be going home, that it was just a visa problem and won't need lawyers." In July they were sentence to 4 to 7 years for "Suspicious of contraband and of forming a group to create that suspicion." They were sent to Agua Santa prison where the warden advised them, "The American Consul had # * @ % them." It was obvious that "some government wanted them to vanish." Based on the way they were treated by the "State Guy" and the obstacles their families received from US government, most of the mercs theorized the US government wanted them kept imprisoned and out of the way. If this turned out to be a US government's covert operation, too many perplexing questions might arise if the mercs were on the loose and free to talk. The FBI, US Customs and other law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation into the Ghana coup attempt . What do you think the final out come was? Why did Vol. II, The Contra Story, fail to explain the "Rio 8" mercenaries? Because it was another covert operation on top of another. Same mercenaries who, more then likely, conducted covert operation in El Salvador. FOOTNOTE: The San Jose Mercury News and Soldier of Fortune magazine 1987 issue. 1038---A March 26, 1987, cable to Headquarters reported that the US citizen and another individual had been arrested by Dominican Republic authorities upon landing an airplane in that country. The airplane contained various types of military-related equipment. NOTE: Where is the criminal investigations by our federal agencies in this case? 1047---CIA Records: Castillo's contact with CIA officials...although no information has been found to indicate the process by which the vehicle were purchased and given over to the Salvadorans, no information has been found to indicate that the transaction involved Castillo or DEA in any manner... NOTE: Count 2 "Obstruction of Justice" by Hitz. He seem to get into the habit of misleading the Congress, members of the committee and the American people. He implies that there are no records to be found, to explain where the money was spend on. To start out with, he should have checked with the Salvadoran National police and checked out the vehicles that had been purchased. Lt. Franco could had been one of the individuals to have been interviewed about the vehicles. Did he check with DEA reports on the vehicles that were purchased? NO! Did he check with the Mil-group in El Salvador who purchase the vehicles? NO! It's obvious, that the CIA sent out a "Boy Scout" to conduct a criminal investigation. But then again, maybe they didn't want someone who would find out the truth. As I stated before, I have the original receipt of who the money was given to for the purchase of the vehicles. 1054---..."The CIA officer says he has no knowledge of drug trafficking at Ilopango..." NOTE: Where in the world was this so call CIA Official. Did he not read his own agency's report on drug trafficking during the early 1980's. 1063: "This officer (CIA) emphatically denies that he had any knowledge of Contra trafficking activities at Ilopango or elsewhere..." NOTE: This individual is Randy Capister who should be charged with murder in Guatemala for the murders of several Colombians and Mexicans. DEA file TG-86-0005, Carlos Ramiro Garcia de Paz. Capister's association with drug traffickers is also well established: Gregorio Valdez and Oscar "El Negro" Alvarado. 1064: "...he has no knowledge of any alleged Contra drug trafficking activities being conducted from Ilopango or elsewhere...or that the US citizen had no apparent links to the Contras..." NOTE: Let the record speak for it self. This CIA official should be arrested for making a false statement. I guess he forgot the information on Mr. del Amigo and Oliver North's Notebook and Grasheim interview with OIC. On February 28, 1998, I met with Walter L. Grasheim at his attorney's office in McAllen, Texas. Grasheim had advised me that he was in the process of filing a civil law suit against the U.S government. He was requesting if I was willing to bestow upon him a deposition regarding my knowledge of him while he was in El Salvador. I advised him that I did not have a problem with telling the truth. To make a very long story short, he admitted, in the depo, that he had manufactured night vision equipment for the Contras. He also admitted that he was on contract by the US Army to train the Salvadorans. Grasheim advised me that his case would never go to trial because he had a video of CIA Officials on search and destroy missions with the Salvadoran Military. Grasheim proceded to show the video, and we witnessed several American individuals in military uniforms on patrol with Salvadoran military. One of the American was Grasheim. Another American was seen in a class room instructing the Salvadoran Military on operations. You could witness the American cautioning (who ever was shooting the film) to stop filming. FOOTNOTE: For a nice view of a Special Forces trooper, on the ground in El Salvador, see the July 1992 issue of Soldier of Fortune magazine, "Salvador's Unsung Heroes". These US soldiers were asking for credit for a combat tour for 6 month work on covert operation in El Salvador. As a former Vietnam combative veteran, I spent 5 years in and out of Salvador not only fighting the drug traffickers but also the corruption at the US embassy and the host government. The only thing I asked for "was the truth." Please read this article because it's a blueprint of what the US government is ready to do in Colombia. Also for a good laugh read SOF magazine Oct. 1983 issue, EDITORIAL by Richard M. Nixon, Perilous Parallel: El Salvador and Vietnam. All you have to change is the name from El Salvador to Colombia for Congress's approval. In my opinion, Gresheim was attempting to black mail the government. At the end, I was also named in his law suit as a defendant. In early part of 2000 a federal court threw out the law suit. Witness to the deposition was Grasheim's attorney: Honorable Tom Wilkins of Wilkins & Slusher 800 Neuhaus Tower PO Box 3609 McAllen, Texas 78502, W. Lee Grasheim, Tony Cordova, Tim Wilkins and myself. "From the very beginning, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have not been able to understand that there are rules and laws that this country wants followed. If you undermine the basic values of this country, in the name of defending it, what do you have left? For several decades, the CIA has violated the laws of the United States of America and other countries. Laws that we at home, abide by and respect. They need to take seriously that no governmental institution will survive without the support of its citizens - not the Congress, not the President, but the citizens. Admiral Stansfield Turner, CIA Director 1977-1981 This reminds us that if Congress will not lead a resistance to covert power, it may respond to popular pressure. But before that happens, the press must give the American people a much better picture of the extent to which counter-terrorist campaigns have been turned into covert drug alliances in Central and South America. One of the first targets for an effective drug strategy should be Washington D.C. itself, and specifically its own support for corruption and drug-trafficking. I bring this to you as a veteran of my third and perhaps most dangerous war, the war against the criminals in my own government. Sincerely Yours, Celerino "Cele" Castillo, 3rd [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, All My Relations. Omnia Bona Bonis, Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
