THE FARC AND THE QUEST FOR SURFACE TO AIR MISSILES

SNIPPET: "The Miami Herald today reports that the Colombian FARC has likely already fulfilled its long-time goal of purchasing surface to air missiles to be used against U.S.-supplied helicopters in Colombia.

The FARC has long placed a very high strategic priority on acquiring SAMs, going back to at least 2003. The commanders officially requested money from Libya and Nicaragua at that time to purchase the weapons because the insurgency was being so badly hurt by helicopters acquired by the military and police."

SNIPPET: "It is not a good weapon to have in the hands of a terrorist organization that derives its revenue from cocaine trafficking, kidnapping and extortion. The FARC is on the ropes militarily, and one of the few things that could give the group an immediate boost is the acquisition of SAMs. Other terrorist groups have acquired the missiles, including radical Islamist groups that tried to down an Israeli jetliner.

The information on this case originates in a Peruvian court case, where 12 men are on trial for the illicit sales."

http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr121809.html

Previously...

Quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411130/posts?page=29#29

To: All

DEA.gov - US DOJ.gov - Justice.gov - Press Release: “THREE AL QAEDA ASSOCIATES ARRESTED ON DRUG AND TERRORISM CHARGES” (SNIPPET: “...Oumar Issa, Harouna Toure, and Irdiss Abelrahman...” SNIPPET: “...charges of conspiracy to commit acts of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The charges stem from the defendants’ alleged agreement to transport cocaine through West and North Africa with the intent to support three terrorist organizations — Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (”AQIM”), and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or “FARC”). All three organizations have been designated by the United States Department of State as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”) (December 18, 2009)

29 posted on December 19, 2009 3:35:17 PM PST by Cindy

Previously...

Quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421365/posts

Colombian FARC rebels, al-Qaeda joining forces to smuggle cocaine into Europe, says DEA
New York Post ^ | 01/05/10 | Reuters
Posted on January 5, 2010 7:22:52 AM PST by AtlasStalled

Colombian guerrillas have entered into “an unholy alliance” with Islamic extremists who are helping the Marxist rebels smuggle cocaine through Africa on its way to European consumers, a U.S. official told Reuters.

(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...

Quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411130/posts

Al-Qaeda’s New Business Model: Cocaine And Human Trafficking
Forbes Magazine ^ | 12/18/09 | Nathan Vardi
Posted on December 19, 2009 6:56:37 AM PST by AtlasStalled

Osama Bin Laden’s terrorist organization has become increasingly reliant on organized crime, including cocaine smuggling, human trafficking and kidnapping, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Friday in Manhattan’s federal court. The charges filed against three alleged al-Qaeda associates by the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan is the latest chilling evidence of a convergence between terrorism and organized crime.

Oumar Issa, Harouna Touré and Idriss Abelrahman were snatched in Ghana on Wednesday by a Drug Enforcement Administration sting and shipped to New York, where they arrived on Friday to face charges of conspiracy to commit acts of narco-terrorism and providing material support to al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization. The arrests mark the first time that al-Qaeda associates have been charged with narco-terrorism offenses.

* * *

“It’s pretty compelling evidence, but not the only evidence that has been growing that al-Qaeda and its affiliates are becoming more and more involved in the global drug trade to help fund their operations,” says Michael Braun, former chief of operations at the DEA and a founder of Spectre Group International. “They have to pay for their operations somehow.”

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/v-fullstory/story/1481993.html

COLOMBIA

“FARC rebels’ missile purchase raises concerns

Missiles allegedly purchased by Colombian FARC guerrillas could pose a threat to U.S.-supplied helicopters used in the war against the rebels, experts said.”

BY JUAN O. TAMAYO

SNIPPET: “Colombia’s FARC guerrillas have allegedly purchased at least seven anti-aircraft missiles...”

SNIPPET: “The Peruvian prosecutors’ records detail the sale of at least four Russian-made Strela and Igla ground-to-air missiles between May and October 2008 and another three in 2009, ``each one for the sum of 45,000 US dollars.’’

They were sold by Jorge Aurelio Cerpa, a Peruvian air force official, and were delivered to Freddy Torres, an Ecuadorean who had been buying weapons for the FARC since 2007, according to the records.”

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.