Castillo
Critiques the CIA Whitewash
Castillo Addresses the House Select Committee on
Intelligence
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. Betzner 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, March 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 attaché'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 Attaché). 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 Ilopango. 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 Rodriguez, (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 attaché 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, CIA
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." Grasheim 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
powderburns@prodigy.net
