Homeland Security

02 July 2003

President Submits Report to Congress on Drug "Kingpin" Sanctions

(Colombia's FARC, AUC, 3 Mexicans sanctioned under legislation) (610)
President Bush sent a letter July 1 to the chairmen of the Senate and
House Intelligence Committees, reporting on the status of sanctions
imposed on individuals and groups designated as narcotics "kingpins"
in 2003, and on the following day, the White House released the text
of the president's letter.
Individuals and entities designated under the Foreign Narcotics
Kingpin Designation Act are subject to sanctions, and U.S. citizens
are prohibited from conducting business with them.
On May 29, 2003, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC),
the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), three Mexicans, and
one Brazilian were among those groups and persons designated as
kingpins by President Bush.
Following is the text of the president's letter, as sent to each
chairman:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
July 2, 2003
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CHAIRMEN OF THE HOUSE
PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE AND THE SENATE SELECT
COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
July 1, 2003
Dear Mr. Chairman:
I hereby report, pursuant to section 804(d) of the Foreign Narcotics
Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. 1903(d) (the "Kingpin Act"), on the
status of sanctions imposed upon significant foreign narcotics
traffickers designated this year.
On May 29, 2003, I designated the following seven foreign persons and
entities as appropriate for sanctions, and subsequently imposed
sanctions against them, under the Kingpin Act:
-- Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno
-- Jose Albino Quintero Meraz
-- Hector Luis Palma Salazar
-- United Wa State Army
-- Leonardo Dias Mendonca
-- Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas
Revolucionarias de Colombia, "FARC")
-- United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de
Colombia, "AUC")
Attached is individual background information on each of the above
foreign persons and entities. Each individual and entity is now
subject to all of the sanctions authorized under the Kingpin Act. As a
result, United States persons are prohibited from engaging in
financial transactions and conducting business with these individuals.
In addition, any assets within the United States or within the
possession or control of United States persons that are owned or
controlled by significant foreign narcotics traffickers are blocked.
Finally, significant foreign narcotics traffickers and immediate
family members who have knowingly benefited from their illicit
activity will be denied visas for entry into the United States. While
all of the sanctions are currently in effect, to date I have not been
notified of any specific enforcement action taken since the date of
their imposition.
The Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Departments
of Justice, Defense, and State, the Central Intelligence Agency, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement
Administration, continues to work toward identifying derivative
designations for these newly designated individuals pursuant to the
powers granted under section 805(b) of the Kingpin Act, 21 U.S.C.
1904(b).
In addition to the foregoing actions, the Department of the Treasury,
in consultation with the Departments of Justice, Defense, and State,
the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
and the Drug Enforcement Administration, continues to research
potential foreign persons for future recommendations for designation
as kingpins.
Enclosed is a classified table reflecting expenses incurred and
projected for fiscal year 2003. Other than certain intelligence
expenses reflected in the enclosed table, total reportable expenses
incurred by Federal agencies in fiscal year 2002 are approximately
$1,022,115. These expenses are those directly attributable to the
imposition of the Kingpin Act sanctions. The personnel costs portion,
$591,562, is centered principally in the Department of the Treasury.
The remaining $430,553 of the $1,022,115 total was for resource
expenditures.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)