DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
(C) SIGINTers Help Interdict 'Snow White'
FROM: Dennis St. John
Chief, CSG Key West
Run Date: 03/17/2004
FROM: Dennis St. John
Chief, CSG Key West
(C//SI) Keen analysis and fast action by SIGINTers at CSG Key West enabled the U.S. Coast
Guard to seize a boat carrying 3.2 metric tons of cocaine during the weekend of 6-7 March. This
incident began when a CSG COMINT watchstander analyzed incoming counter-narcotics reports
and concluded that it was possible to positively identify and locate the drug-laden ship. The CSG
quickly tipped the Coast Guard, who ordered the cutter Boutwell to turn around and speed to
the area of activity in the Eastern Pacific.
(C//SI) When the crew of the Boutwell arrived in the area, they found two fishing boats ... which
was the "right" one? The watchstander again correctly analyzed the situation and advised the
Coast Guard as to which of the two boats was carrying the drugs. Upon boarding, USCG
personnel found the cocaine still on the boat's deck and in the cabin. Their confidence in the
SIGINT reporting and analysis was well rewarded!
(C//SI) So far this year, SANDKEY** counter-narcotics reporting has directly resulted in the
seizure of 16 metric tons of cocaine, which represents more than half of the amount seized
during all of last year based on this source. The entire SANDKEY community should be applauded
for their great work.
(S//SI) Besides the above bust, NSA advance warning of an impending Colombia-Brazil armsfor-drugs shipment the same weekend allowed JIATF-S (Joint Inter-Agency Task Force - South,
in Key West) analysts to track an aircraft and provide the information to the Colombian Air
Force. As a result, the Colombians were able to destroy the returning aircraft on the ground
under the conditions of the Air Bridge Denial Program. This was the second aircraft in as many
weeks destroyed because of such radar correlation to SIGINT products.
(S//SI) In addition, last month's arrest of FARC (a Colombian insurgent group) financial leader
"Sonya" and a number of her associates resulted from years of monitoring her movements and
modus operandi. Accurate geolocational data as to where she was and when, allowed a vetted
Colombian team to capture them by surprise and without any loss of life.
(U) Well done to all involved!
**(C) SANDKEY is "plaintext, single-channel, nongovernmental radio communications of
international narcotics trafficking activities that have no reasonable expectation of privacy."
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108