Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement Country Program: El Salvador

Challenges

El Salvador, located in the isthmus between the United States and major drug producing nations, is a transit country for narcotics, mainly cocaine and heroin. In 2004, the National Police seized 2,703 kilograms (Kg) of cocaine (a 20-percent increase over 2003 levels) and 3.84 kilograms of heroin. The Forward Operating Location facilities contributed to the seizure of 2.2 metric tons (MT) of illicit narcotics in Salvadoran territory and disrupted the delivery of 71 MT narcotics to the rest of the region. Salvadoran law enforcement agencies cooperated with U.S. authorities on cases that led to the U.S. indictments of 12 major drug traffickers and the conviction of one major trafficker in June 2005.

Although El Salvador is not a major financial center, assets forfeited and seized as the result of drug-related crimes amounted to $554,113 dollars. Salvadoran authorities complied with resolutions regarding terrorist assets and did not find assets from individuals or entities on the terrorism lists. El Salvador is a party to the 1998 Drug Convention.

A major issue of concern in El Salvador is the problem of youth gangs ("maras") and the wave of violent crime that they have brought about in the region. In July 2004, the Salvadoran Government (GOES) implemented a law enforcement plan known as Plan Super Heavy Hand ("Super Mano Dura") which strengthened elements of the existing Criminal Code in response to rising street gang violence. The GOES also implemented Plan Friendly Hand ("Mano Amiga") to provide alternatives to membership in street gangs, including prevention programs for young people, treatment for narcotics trafficking and substance abuse, and programs of social reinsertion. In 2004, the PNC arrested 332 and convicted 35 gang members for drug trafficking and distribution offenses.

A national survey, funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), revealed that substance abuse in El Salvador is significant and growing. According to the survey results, seven percent of the population (ages 12 to 45) used illicit narcotics in the past year, with four percent using drugs within the past month. Fourteen percent of those surveyed admitted to ingesting pharmaceutical stimulants and depressants in the past year. Relative to the size of the at-risk and addicted populations, demand reduction programs are inadequate.

U.S. Counternarcotics Goals

• Strengthen law enforcement and judicial institutions and the rule of law through justice system reform, modernization of laws and institutions, and civic outreach and awareness. 
  
  
• Strengthen El Salvador’s capacity to control its borders, interdict illegal drugs, and investigate, arrest, and prosecute organized criminals, including terrorists, traffickers, and gang members. 
  
  
• Utilize and improve international mechanisms for interagency, bilateral, and regional cooperation against crime.

U.S. Programs

U.S. assistance focuses upon developing El Salvador’s law enforcement agencies, increasing the GOES ability to combat money laundering and public corruption, and ensuring a transparent criminal justice system.

The U.S. provided funding for operational support of Grupo Cuscatlán and the high-profile crime unit (GEAN) within the Anti-Narcotics Police. The U.S. also funded training and travel related to airport security, money laundering, maritime boarding operations, and anti-gang measures. Officers from the Drug Enforcement Agency and INL work closely with the PNC counternarcotics unit, the PNC financial crimes unit, the Financial Investigations Unit of the federal prosecutors office, and the federal banking regulators on issues relating to drug trafficking and money laundering.

In 2004, the INL-supported and U.S.-based National Strategic Information Center, in cooperation with the Salvadoran Ministry of Education, began implementing the Culture of Lawfulness program in Salvadoran schools. The program focuses upon the advantages that accrue to the individual and to society if everyone follows the rule of law. Special emphasis is placed on the social costs of corruption and bribery. Thus far, 10 teachers have been trained in the mechanics of presenting the program. The program will begin being taught in 2005.

In addition, as part of Plan Friendly Hand, the Salvadoran non-government organization FundaSalva and the Government's National Council for Public Security jointly operate an U.S. Government-donated laser tattoo removal machine. Former gang members who meet the stringent requirements of gang demobilization (leaving the gang life behind) and successful substance abuse treatment are eligible to have their gang tattoos removed for free. Removing tattoos decreases the possibility of gang recidivism while increasing the prospect of finding gainful employment, both of which reduce the likelihood of future drug consumption. In 2004, FundaSalva provided tattoo removal services for 251 individuals.