Continuing my episodic trawl through Wikileaks for crime-related cables, this and this DEA-related ones caught my eye, relating to OPERATION BALTIC STRIKE, a joint initiative against traffickers smuggling cocaine from Latin America (especially Ecuador) to Russia. As with yesterday’s post, they offer an encouraging glimpse into how cooperation with the Russian police can work (even if it doesn’t always, this is still much better than a few years ago). Direct cop-to-cop cooperation is much more effective than we might fear – and often works informally at levels over and above what the protocols technically allow for, and this is a good thing.
Incidentally, I don’t know what happened to Vladimir Krasavchikov (although entertainingly enough, he shares a name with a colonel of the police and deputy head of the MVD’s Main Information Centre) – if, as and when I do find out, I’ll update this post. The M/V Pietari Cloud, incidentally, is a Maltese-registered dry cargo transport ship.
VZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHMO #0331/01 0470912 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 160912Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0004 RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 2416 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3704 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2764 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 1701 UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 MOSCOW 000331 DEA SENSITIVE SIPDIS POST FOR DEA ONLY AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL FOR RAC BRIGGS, SA VARNI AMEMBASSY QUITO FOR ARD GOLDBERG, SA WOLFF AMEMBASSY BOGOTA FOR GS RODRIGUEZ, SA SULLIVAN AMEMBASSY LIMA FOR SA HACKETT AMEMBASSY WARSAW FOR CA BRADLEY, SA PALM AMEMBASSY ANKARA FOR DEA RD DESTITO, FIM LOGUE AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD FOR DEA ARD DUDLEY AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN FOR CA MORAN, SA KOHUT DEA HQS FOR OGE/MENDOSA, SCHRETTNER, BARNES DEA HQS FOR OGL/KOLEN DEA HQS FOR NCI/BORDER DEA HQS FOR NCIL/TRAVERS DEA HQS FOR OSE/DISANTO, YASEVICH, SANCHEZ, ERDAHL DEA HQS FOR SARI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: DEAX SUBJECT: JOINT DEA AND RUSSIAN INTER-AGENCY OPERATION BALTIC STRIKE COORDINATION MEETING ON FEBRUARY 11, 2010 OF MOSCOW CO PRIORITY TARGET CASE XI-07-0003, YECIJ, KRASAVCHIKOV, VLADIMIR CCX: GFXI-10-8002 OPERATION BALTIC STRIKE ZP-09-0004/YEC1K, MITREVICS, Vladimir REF: (A) DEA Moscow CO TWX #131 DATED JANUARY 19, 2010. (B) DEA-6 WRITTEN BY SA VARNI (GUYAQUIL RO) DATED JANUARY 20, ¶2010. (C) DEA-6 WRITTEN BY SA VARNI (GUYAQUIL RO), DATED JANUARY 25, ¶2010. THIS CABLE CONTAINS AN ACTION REQUEST FOR THE QUITO COUNTRY OFFICE, THE BOGOTA COUNTRY OFFICE, THE LIMA COUNTRY OFFICE, THE WARSAW COUNTRY OFFICE, AND THE GUAYAQUIL RESIDENT OFFICE. 1.(SBU) On February 11, 2010, the Moscow CO took part in a case coordination meeting among multiple Russian law enforcement entities. Participants included; Sergey Muraviev, Cocaine Unit Chief, Federal Security Service, ("FSB"), Dmitry Abakumov, Cocaine Unit Chief, Ministry of Interior ("MVD"), Nikolay Kukharenko, Cocaine Unit Chief, Russian Federal Drug Control Agency ("FSKN"), Andrey Metsger, Division Head, MVD Investigative Committee, Denis Popov, Investigator, MVD Investigative Committee and Vitaly Fedotov, International Cooperation Department, FSB. 2.(SBU) Background of Operation Baltic Strike: Since 2005, the Moscow Country Office has been conducting Operation Baltic Strike which targets the maritime movements of cocaine from South America to Russia. This is a very successful joint operation that has resulted in the seizure of approximately 676 kilograms of cocaine, 26 arrests, and approximately $200,000 USD. In 2009, the FSKN joined the operation. As a result of Operation Baltic Strike, the Moscow CO and Russian counterparts identified the Vladimir KRASAVCHIKOV DTO as one of the most significant cocaine DTOs operating in Russia. 3.(SBU) As reported in Reference (A), on January 14, 2010, the Moscow CO learned that Andrey SHINDER was expected to pick up a shipment of cocaine while in Guayaquil, Ecuador. SHINDER is a steward onboard the shipping vessel M/V Pietari Cloud and has been identified as a member of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. 4.(SBU) As reported in Reference (B), on January 20, 2010, the M/V PIETARI CLOUD arrived in the Puerto Maritimo, Guayaquil, Ecuador. ¶5. (SBU) As reported in Reference (C), on January 22, Guayaquil RO reported, SHINDER departed the ship and passed through port security in Guyaquil, Ecuador, with a group of crewmembers. At the time, SHINDER was wearing a black polo type collard shirt, blue jeans, with dark collar length hair. Later in the day, SHINDER returned to the port, and was observed passing through port security, carrying a black, weighted bag on his shoulder. Agents Note: Surveillance video was obtained by the Guyaquil RO as SHINDER passed through the ports entry/exit point. A copy of this video was passed to the Moscow CO and was subsequently shared with Russian law enforcement. 6.(SBU) On January 23, 2010, Guyaquil RO reported, Customs/Port K-9 unit conducted a routine search of the ship, with negative results. The Port Unit did not know about the on-going investigation, as the Guyaquil RO and vetted Unit Commander deemed it necessary to MOSCOW 00000331 002 OF 004 maintain the integrity of this investigation. The customs search did not uncover SHINDER's bag as they searched crewmembers cabins, nor was the bag located anywhere else on the vessel. 7.(SBU) On January 23, 2010, the M/V Pietari Cloud departed Guyaquil with its' final destination believed to be St. Petersburg, Russia. 8.(SBU) On Monday, February 8, 2010, the Moscow CO was informed by the Russian Security Service (FSB) that the M/V Pietari Cloud, prior to arriving in St. Petersburg, Russia, would travel to Gdansk, Poland on February 19, 2010. Agent's Note: It is believed that Gdansk, Poland may be a refueling point for the M/V Pietari Cloud. 9.(SBU) ACTION REQUEST FOR THE WARSAW CO: The Moscow CO requests the assistance of the Warsaw CO and Polish counterparts to assist in the surveillance of the PIETARI CLOUD while docked in Gdansk, Poland and conduct surveillance in the scenario if SHINDER attempts to off load the cocaine shipment in Gdansk. The Moscow CO believes surveillance of the M/V PIETARI CLOUD, will aid in the subsequent Russian prosecution of members of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. 10.(SBU) Russian Customs (FTS) and the interagency working group including FSB, MVD and FSKN will prepare to conduct a thorough inspection of the commercial shipping vessel, M/V PIETARI CLOUD, upon its return to St. Petersburg, Russia. 11.(SBU) In addition, the Joint DEA Russian Interagency Task Force will prepare for the arrest of the following individuals identified as members of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO and linked to this investigation: Valentin VOYNOVSKIY - NADDIS # 6640630 Arthur ZAKARYAN - NADDIS # 6625894 Gadzimurad NURMAGOMEDOV - NADDIS # 6634964 Rishat STRELTSOV - NADDIS Negative Andrey SHINDER - NADDIS # 6364544 12.(SBU) Following the arrest of the above mentioned individuals, a warrant and subsequent Interpol Red Notice will be prepared by Russian authorities, in anticipation of the arrest of Moscow CO Priority Target Vladimir KRASAVCHIKOV - NADDIS # 6305832. Agents Note: Russian Law Enforcement believes KRASAVCHIKOV continues to reside in Ecuador. Further, it is believed that KRASAVCHIKOV may be residing with Lidia ESPINOZA-Quniteros in Quito, Ecuador. ESPINOZA-Quinteros is identified as a source of supply and broker for the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. 13.(SBU) On January 26, 2010, the Moscow CO received immigration records from the Guyaquil RO regarding country entry/exit records for KRASAVCHIKOV and his aliases. According to immigration records, KRASAVCHIKOV was not in Ecuador at the time, but has had both air and land entries into Ecuador utilizing Bulgarian Passport # 354800732 under the name, Krasimir Kirilov YOLOV and Russian Passport # 51N1910241 under the name Vladimir KRASAVCHIKOV. 14.(SBU) ACTION REQUEST FOR THE GUYAQUIL RO AND QUITO CO: MOSCOW 00000331 003 OF 004 The Moscow CO is requesting the assistance of the Guyaquil RO and the Ecuadorian National Police, along with the Quito CO in an effort to locate and conduct surveillance of Vladimir KRASAVCHIKOV in anticipation of Russian authorities submitting an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest. The Moscow CO has provided photographs of KRASAVCHIKOV along with information regarding KRASAVCHIKOV's aliases to the Guyaquil RO and Quito CO under separate communiqu. 15.(SBU) ACTION REQUEST FOR THE BOGOTA CO AND THE LIMA CO: The Moscow CO is requesting the assistance of the Bogot CO and the Lima CO to conduct border searches for KRASAVCHIKOV. The KRASAVCHIKOV DTO has criminal contacts in Peru and Colombia and it may be possible that KRASAVCHIKOV may be residing in Peru or Colombia. KRASAVCHIKOV and his aliases are listed below: Vladimir Vasilievich KRASAVCHIKOV, Date of Birth: 05/17/1949, Alternate Dates of Birth: 07/5/1951, 7/12/1956; Russian Passport # 51N1910241. Krasimir Kirilov YOLOV, Date of Birth: 07/12/1956; Bulgarian Passport # 354800732. Vladimir Krasovskiy, Date of Birth: 05/17/1949, Alternate Dates of Birth: 07/5/1951, 7/12/1956 Vladimir Krasavchiko, Date of Birth: 05/17/1949, Alternate Dates of Birth: 07/5/1951, 7/12/1956 16.(SBU) The Moscow CO was advised that if the DTO suspects law enforcement operations are imminent, members of the DTO may flee to Poland. The Moscow CO will coordinate with the Warsaw CO if such a scenario arises. Further, one member of the DTO, Valentin VOYNOVSKIY was reported to have ties to corrupt officers within the FSKN in St. Petersburg, Russia. 17.(U) This cable was prepared by SA Patrick Apel and FSN Investigator Slava Kurek in lieu of a DEA-6 per DEA Agent's Manual Section 6242.11. Please direct any questions or comments to SA Patrick Apel or CA Michael Nowacoski at 7-495-728-5218 or by Firebird e-mail. Please note that Moscow is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. INDEXING ¶1. KRASAVCHIKOV, Vladimir - NADDIS # 6305832 File Title of Investigation. ¶2. VOYNOVSKIY, Valentin - NADDIS #6640630 DOB: 07/12/1956. Ukrainian National a.k.a. Valentine VOJNOWSKI. Cell head of KRASAVCHIKOV DTO organizes distribution of cocaine obtained from Ecuador to Russia. Believed to have ties to corrupt Russian Federal Drug Service officers in St. Petersburg, Russia. ¶3. Arthur ZAKARYAN - NADDIS # 6625894 Part of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. ¶4. NURMAGOMEDOV, Gadzimurad - NADDIS # 6634964 Part of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. ¶5. STRELTSOV, Rishat - NADDIS NEGATIVE DOB: 09/23/1963 MOSCOW 00000331 004 OF 004 Identified as part of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. ¶6. SHINDER, Andrey - NADDIS # 6364544 Currently a steward about the M/V PIETARI CLOUD. Expected to arrive in St. Petersburg, Russia in late February 2010 with shipment of cocaine. BEYRLE
VZCZCXYZ0007 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHMO #0352 0491234 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 181234Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0008 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3710 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2770 UNCLAS MOSCOW 000352 DEA SENSITIVE SIPDIS POST FOR DEA ONLY AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL FOR DEA RAC BRIGGS, SA VARNI AMEMBASSY QUITO FOR DEA CA GOLDBERG, SA WOLFF, IRS JOHNAKIN AMEMBASSY ANKARA FOR DEA RD DESTITO AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD FOR DEA ARD DUDLEY DEA HQS FOR OGE/MENDOSA, SCHRETTNER, BARNES DEA HQS FOR OGL/KOLEN DEA HQS FOR OSE/YASEVICH, SANCHEZ DEA HQS FOR NCI/KOLEN DEA HGS FOR NCIL/TRAVERS DEA HQS FOR NCTE/UPP DEA HQS FOR NCTS/KROKE DEA HQS FOR NCIE/LEHRER DEA HQS FOR SARI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: DEAX SUBJECT: Identification of Vladimir KRASAVCHIKOV's Current Ecuadorian Telephone Number; XI-07-0003/YEC1J, KRASAVCHIKOV, Vladimir (Priority Target) CCX: GFXI-10-8002/Operation Baltic Strike ZP-09-0004/YEC1K, MITREVICS, Vladimir REF A: DEA Moscow CO TWX #00331 dated February 16, 2010 This cable contains an action request for the Quito CO and the Guayaquil RO 1.(SBU) In Ref A, on February 11, 2010, the Moscow CO took park in a case coordination meeting with Russian law enforcement counterparts on the Vladimir KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. During this meeting, it was learned that Russian counterparts are expecting to arrest the following members of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO: Valentin VOYNOVSKIY, Arthur ZAKARYAN, Gadzimurad NURMAFOMEDOV, Rishat STRELTSOV, and Andrey SHINDER. 2.(SBU) The arrests will occur after the M/V Pietari Cloud arrives in the Russian seaport of St. Petersburg. It is believed that SHINDER, a steward on board the M/V Pietari Cloud, is transporting a cocaine shipment on behalf of the KRASAVCHIKOV DTO. The M/V Pietari Cloud is expected to arrive in St. Petersburg during the week of February 21, 2010. 3.(SBU) Russian counterparts are also preparing to submit the necessary documents in order to obtain an Interpol Red Notice for KRASAVCHIKOV's arrest. KRASAVCHIKOV's current whereabouts are unknown but it is believed that KRASAVCHIKOV is currently residing in Ecuador and may even be residing with Lidia ESPINOZA-Quinteros. 4.(SBU) The Moscow CO will assist Russian counterparts in coordinating KRASAVCHIKOV's arrest. As soon as KRASAVCHIKOV's exact whereabouts become known, the Moscow CO will contact the respective DEA country office/resident office to determine what is needed by the respective foreign counterparts to arrest KRASAVCHIKOV. 5.(SBU) On February 18, 2010, the Russian Federal Customs Service (FTS) advised the Moscow CO that KRASAVCHIKOV is currently utilizing the following Ecuadorian cellular telephone number: 593-81132751. 6.(SBU) ACTION REQUEST FOR THE QUITO CO AND THE GUAYAQUIL RO Please request Ecuadorian counterparts to obtain subscriber and toll information on 593-81132751. Additionally please inquire if Ecuadorian counterparts have the technical capabilities to track KRASAVCHIKOV's cellular telephone via cell towers in order to locate his whereabouts. 7.(SBU) This cable was prepared by CA Michael Nowacoski and LES Senior Investigator Vyacheslav Kurek in lieu of a DEA-6 per DEA Agent's Manual Section 6242.11. Please direct any questions or comments to SA Patrick Apel or CA Michael Nowacoski 7-495-728-5218 or by Firebird e-mail. Please note that the Moscow Country Office is eight (8) hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time. INDEXING ¶1. KRASAVCHIKOV, Vladimir - NADDIS #6305832. Telephone Number: xxxxxxxx. Remarks: Currently utilizing Ecuadorian cellular telephone number xxxxxxxx. BERYLE
In Moscow's Shadows 
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