Dark Alliance

DARK ALLIANCEThe CIA, the CONTRAS, and the CRACK COCAINE EXPLOSIONGARY WEBBSEVEN STORIES PRESSNew YorkPROLOGE When I!a"e to work#nthe$%rawn' new$roo" o( the C&e)e&andP&a#n Dea&er #n the ear&* +,-.$,I wa$a$$#'ned to $hare a !o"%/ter ter"#na& w#th a ta&& "#dd&e0a'ed re%orter w#th a &on', )#rt/a&&* /n%rono/n!ea1&e Po$hna"e2 To $a)e t#"e, %eo%&e !a&&ed h#" To" A2To"e, arr#)#n'(ro"a $"a&& da#&*#nKent/!k*, To"A2 wa$ the e%#to"e o( the hard01o#&ed1#'0!#t*new$%a%er"an2 The !#t* o((#!#a&$ he wrote a1o/t and the ed#tor$ who "an'&ed h#$ !o%* were 3(/!k#n4erk$23 A 5/e$t#on%ro"%t#n' an a((#r"at#)e re$%on$e wo/&d e!#t 3(/!k#n0a0tweet#e3 #n$tead o( 3*e$23 And when h#$ %hone ran' he wo/&d$a*, 3It6$ the B#' One,3 1e(ore %#!k#n' /% the re!e#)er2No "atter how "an* t#"e$ I heard that, I a&wa*$ &a/'hed2 The B#' One wa$ the re%orter6$ ho&* 'ra#&7the t#%that &ed *o/ (ro" the da#&* "ora$$ o( %re$$ !on(eren!e$ and !o% !a&&$ on to the tra#& o( The B#''e$t Stor* Yo/6d E)erWr#te, the one that wo/&d t/rn the re$t o( *o/r !areer #nto an ant#!"a82 I ne)er knew #( #t wa$ !*n#!#$" or o%t#"#$"that "ade h#" $a* #t, 1/t dee% #n$#de, I tho/'ht he wa$ 4#n8#n' h#"$e&(2The B#' One, I 1ee)ed, wo/&d 1e ke a 1/&&et w#th *o/r na"e on #t2 Yo/6d ne)er hear #t !o"#n'2 And a&"o$t ade!ade &ater, &on' a(ter To" A2, the P&a#n Dea&er, and I had %arted !o"%an*, that6$ %re!#$e&* how #t ha%%ened2 I d#dn6te)en take the !a&&2It "an#(e$ted #t$e&( a$ a %#nk Wh#&e Yo/ Were O/t "e$$a'e $% &e(t on "* de$k #n 9/&* +,,:2There wa$ no "e$$a'e, 4/$t a wo"an6$ na"e and a %hone n/"1er, $o"ewhere #n the Ea$t Ba*2I !a&&ed, 1/t there wa$ no an$wer, $o I %/t the "e$$a'e a$#de2 I( I ha)e t#"e, I to&d "*$e&(, I6&& tr* a'a#n &ater2Se)era& da*$ &ater an #dent#!a& "e$$a'e $% a%%eared2 It$ tw#n wa$ $t#&& $#tt#n' on a %#&e o( %a%er$ at the ed'e o("* de$k2Th#$ t#"e the wo"an wa$ ho"e23I $aw the $tor* *o/ d#d a !o/%&e week$ a'o,3 $he 1e'an2 3The one a1o/t the dr/' $e#;/re &aw$2 I tho/'ht *o/d#d a 'ood 4o1233Thank$ a &ot,3 I $a#d, and I "eant #t2 She wa$ the (#r$t reader who6d !a&&ed a1o/t that $tor*, a (ront0%a'e %#e!e#n the San 9o$e ran!#$!o#n"#d09/&*, awa*(ro"the%hone$ and the ed#tor$2 And, who know$, there wa$ an o(( !han!e $he wa$ te&n' the tr/th23Oka*, (#ne,3 I $a#d2 3B/t 1r#n' $o"e o( tho$e re!ord$ w#th *o/, oka*@ I !an &ook thro/'h the" wh#&e I6" $#tt#n'there #n !o/rt23She &a/'hed2 3Yo/ don6t tr/$t "e, do *o/@ Yo/ %ro1a1&* 'et a &ot o( !a&&$ ke th#$233Not "an* ke th#$,3 I $a#d2>%%#n' on "* !o"%/ter, I &o''ed #nto the D#a&o' data1a$e, wh#!h !onta#n$ (/&&0te8t e&e!tron#! )er$#on$ o("#&on$ o( new$%a%er and "a'a;#ne $tor#e$, %ro%ert* re!ord$, &e'a& (#n'$, *o/ na"e #t2 I( *o/6)e e)er 1een wr#ttena1o/t or done $o"eth#n' $#'n#(#!ant #n !o/rt, !han!e$ are D#a&o' w#&& (#nd *o/2Oka*2 Let6$ $ee #( Ra(ae& Corne4o e)en e8#$t$2A "e$$a'e (&a$hed on the $!reenB 3Yo/r $ear!h ha$ retr#e)ed ++ do!/"ent$2 D#$%&a*@3 So (ar $o 'ood2I!a&&ed/%the"o$t re!ent one, anew$%a%er$tor*that hada%%eareda*ear1e(ore#ntheSan>ran!#$!oChron#!&e2 ran!#$!o E8a"#ner $tor*2The (o/r "en were !har'ed w#th %&ann#n' to /$e C0D %&a$t#! e8%&o$#)e$ to 1&ow o/t a %r#$on w#ndow and w#th"ak#n' a ,0#n!h 3$hank3 that !o/&d 1e /$ed to !/t a '/ard6$ 3'/t$ o/t3 #( he tr#ed to 1&o!k the#r r/n to the %r#$on *ard2On!e #n the *ard, the* a&&e'ed&* wo/&d 1e %#!ked /% 1* a he!o%ter and (&own to a Pana"an#an !ar'o $h#% #n thePa!#(#!, (edera& o((#!#a&$ $a#d2The re"a#n#n' $tor#e$ de$!r#1ed Corne4o6$ arre$t and #nd#!t"ent #n +,,G, the re$/&t o( an e#'hteen0"onth >BI#n)e$t#'at#on2 S/$%e!ted dr/' k#n'%#n2 Aead o( a &ar'e !o!a#ne d#$tr#1/t#on r#n' on the We$t Coa$t2 A&&e'ed&* #n)o&)ed#n a "a4or !o!a#ne %#%ene that ran (ro" Ca, Co&o"1#a, to $e)era& We$t Coa$t !#t#e$2 I"%ort#n' "#&on$ o( do&&ar$worth o( !o!a#ne )#a San D#e'o and Lo$ An'e&e$ to the Ba* Area2That6$ $o"e 1o*(r#end $he6$ 'ot there, I "/$ed2 The new$%a%er $tor#e$ "ake h#" $o/nd ke A& Ca%one2 And hewant$ to $#t down and ha)e a !hat@ That6&& 1e the da*2 When I %/$hed o%en the door$ to the )a$t !o/rtroo" #n the San >ran!#$!o (edera& !o/rtho/$e a (ew week$ &ater,I (o/nd a $!ene (ro" BI a'ent$ on the !a$e2 The wo"an #$ Aa&&6$ 1o$$, Tere$a Cane%a2She6$ the 1#t!h who6$ 'ot #t #n (or Ra(ae&23A$$hewa$%o#nt#n'e)er*oneo/t, the>BI a'ent$wh#$%eredtoea!hother andthenta%%edAa&& onthe$ho/&der2 A&& three t/rned and &ooked at "e23What6$ w#th the"@33The* %ro1a1&* th#nk *o/6re "* h#t "an23 She $"#&ed, and the a'ent$ (rowned 1a!k2 3Oh, the* 4/$t hate "e2 I!a&&ed the !o%$ on the" on!e, *o/ know23I &ooked at her2 3Yo/ !a&&ed the !o%$ on the >BI233We&&, the* were &/rk#n' aro/nd o/t$#de "* ho/$e a(ter dark2 The* !o/&d ha)e 1een ra%#$t$ or $o"eth#n'2 Aowwa$ I $/%%o$ed to know@3I '&an!ed 1a!k o)er at the (edera& ta1&e and $aw that the ent#re 'ro/% had now t/rned to $tare2 I wa$ !erta#n&*"ak#n' a &ot o( (r#end$23Can we 'o o/t #n the ha&& and ta&k (or a "#n/te@3 I a$ked her2We $at on a 1en!h 4/$t o/t$#de the door2 I to&d her I needed to 'et !a$e n/"1er$ $o I !o/&d a$k (or the !o/rt(#&e$2 And, 1* the wa*, d#d $he 1r#n' tho$e do!/"ent$ $he6d "ent#oned@She rea!hed #nto her 1r#e(!a$e and 1ro/'ht o/t a $ta!k an #n!h th#!k2 3I6)e 'ot three 1anker$6 1o8e$ (/&& 1a!k atho"e, and *o/6re we&!o"e to $ee a&& o( #t, 1/t th#$ #$ the $t/(( I wa$ te&n' *o/ a1o/t !on!ern#n' the w#tne$$23I (%%ed thro/'h the do!/"ent$2 BI E.G$,e)er* %a'e 1ear#n' 1#' 1&a!k &etter$ that $a#d, 3 2S2GOVERNe1r/ar* E, +,,D23I wh#$t&ed2 3>edera& 'rand 4/r* tran$!r#%t$@ I6" #"%re$$ed2 Where6d *o/ 'et the$e@33The 'o)ern"ent t/rned the" o)er /nder d#$!o)er*2 Da)e Aa&& d#d2 I heard he rea&&* 'ot rea"ed o/t 1* theDEA when the* (o/nd o/t a1o/t a&& the $t/(( he 'a)e /$23I &ooked thro/'h the tran$!r#%t and $aw %art$ that had 1een 1&a!ked o/t23Who d#d th#$@33That6$ how we 'ot #t2 Ra(ae&6$ &aw*er #$ a$k#n' (or a !&ean !o%*2 A$ *o/6&& $ee, the* a&$o !/t o/t a 1/n!h o($t/(( on the DEA0H$2 There6$ a hear#n' on h#$ "ot#on !o"#n' /%23I $k#""ed the th#rt*0n#ne0%a'e tran$!r#%t2 Whate)er e&$e th#$ B&andIn (e&&ow "a* ha)e 1een, he wa$ %rett*"/!h the wa* Corne4o6$ '#r&(r#end had de$!r#1ed h#"2 A 1#'0t#"e tra((#!ker who6d dea&t do%e (or "an* *ear$J $tartedo/t dean' (or the Contra$, a r#'ht0w#n' N#!ara'/an '/err#&&a ar"*,#n Lo$ An'e&e$2 Ae6d /$ed dr/' "one* to 1/*tr/!k$ and $/%%e$2 At $o"e %o#nt a(ter Rona&d Rea'an 'ot #nto %ower, the CIA had de!#ded h#$ $er)#!e$ a$ a (/nd0ra#$er were no &on'er re5/#red, and he $ta*ed #n the dr/' 1/$#ne$$ (or h#"$e&(2What "ade the $tor* $o !o"%e&n' wa$ that he wa$ a%%ear#n' 1e(ore the 'rand 4/r* a$ a 2S2 'o)ern"entw#tne$$2 Ae wa$n6t /nder #n)e$t#'at#on2 Ae wa$n6t tr*#n' to 1eat a ra%2 Ae wa$ there a$ a w#tne$$ (or the %ro$e!/t#on,wh#!h "eant that the 2S2 9/$t#!e De%art"ent wa$ )o/!h#n' (or h#"2B/t whowa$the'rand4/r*#n)e$t#'at#n'@E)er*t#"ethete$t#"on*&ed#nthat d#re!t#on, word$7"o$t&*na"e$7were 1&a!ked o/t23Who #$ th#$ (a"#&* the* kee% a$k#n' h#" a1o/t@33Ra(ae& $a*$ #t6$ ran!#$!o Chron#!&e and had 1een theran!#$!o, and Sa!ra"ento2 Wehad a 'ood work#n' re&at#on$h#% and had 1roken a n/"1er o( award0w#nn#n' $tor#e$2 nke "an* ed#tor$ I6d workedw#th, Dawn !o/&d $#;e /% a $tor*6$ new$ )a&/e (a#r&* 5/#!k&*2I read her $e)era& %ort#on$ o( B&andIn6$ 'rand 4/r* te$t#"on*23Weren6t there $o"e $tor#e$ a1o/t th#$ 1a!k #n the +,-.$@3 $he a$ked23See, that6$ what I tho/'ht2 I re"e"1er $o"eth#n', 1/t I !an6t %&a!e the $o/r!e233ree a$a 1#rd2 Ae6d wa&ked o/t o( 4a#& Se%te"1er +,, +,,D, on the ar" o( an INS a'ent, Ro1ert Te&&e;2 Ae6d done twent*0e#'ht"onth$ (or ten *ear$ o( !o!a#ne tra((#!k#n'2The &a$t %a'e o( the (#&e to&d "e wh*2 It wa$ a "ot#on (#&ed 1* 2S2 Attorne* O6Nea&e, a$k#n' the !o/rt to /n$ea&B&andIn6$ %&ea a'ree"ent and a !o/%&e o( #nterna& 9/$t#!e De%art"ent "e"orand/"$2 3D/r#n' the !o/r$e o( th#$ !a$e,de(endant O$!ar Dan#&o B&andIn !oo%erated w#th and rendered $/1$tant#a& a$$#$tan!e to the n#ted State$,3 O6Nea&ewrote2 At the 'o)ern"ent6$ re5/e$t, h#$ 4a#& $enten!e had 1een $e!ret&* !/t tw#!e2 O6Nea&e then %er$/aded the 4/d'e to&et B&andIn o/t o( 4a#& !o"%&ete&*, te&n' the !o/rt he wa$ needed a$ a (/&&0t#"e %a#d #n(or"ant (or the 2S2 De%art"ento( 9/$t#!e2 S#n!e he6d 1e /nder!o)er, O6Nea&e wrote, he !o/&dn6t )er* we&& ha)e %ro1at#on a'ent$ !he!k#n' /% on h#"2Ae wa$ re&ea$ed on /n$/%er)#$ed %ro1at#on2A&& o( th#$ #n(or"at#on had on!e 1een $e!ret, I not#!ed, 1/t $#n!e B&andIn wa$ 'o#n' to te$t#(* #n a !a$e #nnorthern Ca(orn#a =the Corne4o !a$e, I %re$/"ed?, O6Nea&e had to ha)e the %&ea a'ree"ent and a&& the re!ord$ re&at#n'to h#$ $enten!e red/!t#on$ /n$ea&ed and t/rned o)er to de(en$e !o/n$e&2I wa&ked 1a!k to "* hote& !on)#n!ed that I wa$ on the r#'ht tra!k2 Now there were two $e%arate $o/r!e$ $a*#n'7#n !o/rt7that B&andIn wa$ #n)o&)ed w#th the Contra$ and had 1een $e&n' &ar'e a"o/nt$ o( !o!a#ne #n Lo$ An'e&e$2And when the 'o)ern"ent (#na&&* had a !han!e to %/t h#" awa* (ore)er, #t had o%ened /% the !e&& door$ and &et h#"wa&k2 I needed to (#nd B&andIn2 I had a "#&on 5/e$t#on$ on&* he !o/&d an$wer2I 1e'an !a&n' the de(en$e attorne*$ #n)o&)ed #n the +,,G !on$%#ra!* !a$e, ho%#n' one o( the" wo/&d knowwhat had1e!o"eo( h#"2 I $tr/!ko/t w#the)er*!a&&2 Oneo( the&aw*er$wa$o/t o( town2 There$t o( the"re"e"1ered ne8t to noth#n' a1o/t the !a$e or the#r !ent$2 3It wa$ a&& o)er $o 5/#!k&* I 1are&* had t#"e to o%en a (#&e,3one $a#d2 The !on$en$/$ wa$ that on!e B&andIn (%%ed, h#$ !o"%adre$ $!ra"1&ed to 'et the 1e$t dea& the* !o/&d, andno one %re%ared (or tr#a&2 D#$!o)er* had 1een "#n#"a&2B/t one th#n' wa$n6t !&ear2 What had the 'o)ern"ent 'otten o/t o( the dea& that wa$ worth '#)#n' B&andIn andh#$ !rew $/!h an ea$* r#de@ O6Nea&e !&a#"ed he6d '#)en #n(or"at#on a1o/t a "/rder #n the Ba* Area, 1/t (ro" what I!o/&d$ee(ro"h#$DEAand>BI#nter)#ew$, he6d"ere&*to&dthe'o)ern"ent that the"anhad1een"/rdered7$o"eth#n' the %o!e a&read* knew2Ba!k #n Sa!ra"ento, I d#d $o"e !he!k#n' on the tar'et$ o( the +,,D 'rand 4/r* #n)e$t#'at#on7the #ne2 Wh* do *o/ a$k@33We&&, when Br#an and I were do#n' the$e $tor#e$ we 'ot o/r 1ra#n$ 1eat o/t23 Parr* $#'hed2 3Peo%&e (ro" thead"#n#$trat#on were !a&n' o/r ed#tor$, te&n' the" we were !ra;*, that o/r $o/r!e$ were no 'ood, that we d#dn6t knowwhat we were wr#t#n' a1o/t2 The 9/$t#!e De%art"ent wa$ %/tt#n' o/t (a&$e %re$$ re&ea$e$ $a*#n' there wa$ noth#n' toth#$, that the*6d #n)e$t#'ated and !o/&d (#nd no e)#den!e2 We were 1e#n' atta!ked #n the Wa$h#n'ton T#"e$2 The re$t o(the Wa$h#n'ton %re$$ !or%$ $ort o( %ooh0%oohed the who&e th#n', and no one e&$e wo/&d to/!h #t2 So we ended /% 1e#n'o/t there a&& 1* o/r$e&)e$, and e)ent/a&&* o/r ed#tor$ 1a!ked awa* !o"%&ete&*, and I ended /% 5/#tt#n' the AP2 It wa$%ro1a1&* the "o$t d#((#!/&t t#"e o( "* !areer23Ae %a/$ed2 3BI re%ort a1o/t B&andIn that a&&/ded to a %o!e ra#d and re%orted that B&andIn6$attorne*, Brad Br/non, had !a&&ed the L2A2 Co/nt* Sher#((6$ O((#!e a(terward and !&a#"ed that the CIA had 3w#nked3 atB&andIn6$ a!t#)#t#e$2 I a&$o o1ta#ned +,-F >BI #nter)#ew$ w#th a San >ran!#$!o Contra $/%%orter, Denn#$ A#n$worth, #nwh#!h he to&d o( h#$ d#$!o)er* that Norw#n en$ter and the other de(en$e &aw*er$ "ade another (/t#&e atte"%t to (#nd o/t deta#&$ a1o/t the 'o)ern"ent6$#n(or"ant, $o the* !o/&d 1e'#n %re%ar#n' the#r de(en$e$2 A$$#$tant 2S2 Attorne* O6Nea&e re(/$ed to %ro)#de a th#n'2The*6d 'et what the* were ent#t&ed to, he %ro"#$ed, ten da*$ 1e(ore tr#a&23See what I "ean@3 >en$ter a$ked "e on h#$ wa* o/t2 3It6$ ke the tr#a& #n A!e #n Wonder&and23I $%ent ho/r$ w#thRo$$ at the#nd&a*, Oh#o, #t $ee"ed ke the "ed#a wa$ he&&01ent on '&a"or#;#n' !o!a#ne2G/*er, an /&tra!on$er)at#)e (ond o( &o/d $/#t$ and wh#te %atent &eather $hoe$, wa$ the !ha#r"an o( the Co!a#neTa$k >or!e o( the Ao/$e Se&e!t Co""#ttee on Nar!ot#!$ A1/$e and Contro&, and he wa$n6t 4/$t 'o#n' to $tand 1* andwat!h23Re!ent de)e&o%"ent$ !on!ern#n' the $tate o( !o!a#ne ha)e !o"e to "* attent#on, wh#!h !a&& (or de!#$#)e and#""ed#atea!t#onC3G/*erth/ndereda$heo%enedh#$!o!a#nehear#n'$#n9/&*+,F,2 3Thea)a#&a1#t*, a1/$e, and%o%/&ar#t* o( !o!a#ne #n the n#ted State$ ha$ rea!hed %ande"#! %ro%ort#on$2 2 22 Th#$ #$ a dr/' wh#!h, (or the "o$t %art,ha$ 1een #'nored, and #t$ #n!rea$ed /$e #n o/r $o!#et* ha$ !a/'ht /$ /n%re%ared to !o%e e((e!t#)e&* w#th th#$ "ena!e23B/t #( G/*er wa$ (een' "ena!ed 1* !o!a#ne, not too "an* other$ were2ernandoCa1#e$e$, who %ro%o$ed $o"e !oo%erat#)e re$ear!h on !o!a#ne2 At the t#"e, the Per/)#an 'o)ern"ent wa$ !ra!k#n'downon!o!a!hew#n'andCa1#e$e$1ee)edtheInd#an$were1e#n'hara$$ed/n(a#r&*2 Aewa$&ook#n'(or$o"e$!#ent#(#!e)#den!eto1a!k/%h#$ar'/"ent$thattheInd#an$6 $o!#a& !/$to"$$ho/&d1e&e(ta&one2 BothB*!kandCa1#e$e$kedPa&*6$#dea, andthePer/)#ana'reedto%ro)#dethe&a1(a!#t#e$, te$t $/14e!t$, tran$%ortat#on, anda$$#$tant$2Soon a de'hted Pa&* wa$ w#n'#n' h#$ wa* to So/th A"er#!a to $%end h#$ $/""er a"on' the Ind#an$ #n the"o/nta#n$ o( Per/2 Ca1#e$e$ $5/#red the *o/n' Yae aro/nd L#"a and #ntrod/!ed h#" to h#$ (r#end$ #n the art$ and$!#en!e$2 One "an Pa&* "et thro/'h Ca1#e$e$ wa$ Dr2 Ra/& 9er#, who &at!hed onto h#" and 1e'an te&n' h#" o( h#$re$ear!h #nto !o!a#ne $"ok#n'2 9er#, who wa$ a&$o a 'enera& #n the Per/)#an "#tar* %o!e, #n$#$ted on $how#n' Pa&*the wret!hed )#!t#"$ o( th#$ new dr/' ha1#t he6d d#$!o)ered2 ree01a$e %art#e$ ha)e 1e!o"e #n!rea$#n'&* %o%/&ar and the %ra!t#!e ha$ $%read(ro" Ca(orn#a to Ne)ada, Co&orado, New York, So/th Carona and >&or#da23S#e'e&6$ &etter a%%eared #n the 9o/rna& #n >e1r/ar* +,F,2 >#)e "onth$ &ater, #n 9/&*, he, a&on' w#th Pa&*, B*!k,9er#, and other !o!a#ne re$ear!her$, (o/nd the"$e&)e$ to'ether #n L#"a (or an #nternat#ona& $*"%o$#/" on !o!a#ne2 Itwa$ the (#r$t !han!e North A"er#!an and So/th A"er#!an dr/' re$ear!her$ had had to !o"%are note$ and d#$!/$$ the#r&ate$t work2Wh#&e the e8%ert$ $%t on what to do a1o/t %owder !o!a#ne, tho$e who6d 1een $t/d*#n' !o!a#ne $"ok#n' were/nan#"o/$ a1o/t the#r (#nd#n'$B there wa$ a "on$ter &oo$e, a dr/' !a%a1&e o( tota&&* en$&a)#n' #t$ /$er2At the L#"a !on(eren!e, the $tor#e$ !ont#n/ed to %o/r #n2 Two Bo)#an %$*!h#atr#$t$ (ro" La Pa;, Gre'or#oAra"a*o and ran!#$!o$"ok#n'the$/1$tan!e2 Aere#$a!han!e(orthe(edera&'o)ern"ent to en'a'e #n an ed/!at#ona& !a"%a#'n to %re)ent a dr/' a1/$e e%#de"#!23 The 'o)ern"ent needed to dothree th#n'$ 3a$ ra%#d&* a$ %o$$#1&e2 N/"1er one, (#nd o/t a1o/t #t2 N/"1er two, e$ta1$h $o"e k#nd o( !o&&a1orat#onw#th the "ed#aJ and n/"1er three, $how what ha%%en$ when th#$ dr/' #$ /$ed, $o that we don6t 'et an e%#de"#!2 Weneed o/r 1e$t "#nd$ to (#'/re o/t how to do th#$ w#tho/t ad)ert#$#n' the dr/'23B/t the !on're$$"en weren6t #ntere$ted #n d#$!/$$#n' ed/!at#ona& !a"%a#'n$ or %/1! $er)#!e anno/n!e"ent$2That wo/&dn6t 'et an* !o!a#ne o(( the $treet$2 What the* wanted to know wa$ th#$B What a1o/t the DEA6$ %&an to a$kthe Per/)#an$ and Bo)#an$ to %&ea$e 5/#t 'row#n' !o!a %&ant$@B*!k $!o((ed2 3I don6t th#nk *o/ !an e"#nate the 'row#n' o( !o!a #n Per/ and !o/ntr#e$ wh#!h ha)e had #t (ortho/$and$ o( *ear$233Not w#th K!ro%L $/1$t#t/t#on$@3 G/*er a$ked23I don6t th#nk $o233That #$ not 'o#n' to work@3 G/*er %er$#$ted23It !an6t work,3 B*!k $a#d, 3#( *o/ !on$#der the$e are !ro%$ 'rown on the $&o%e$ o( "o/nta#n$ near 4/n'&e, and'rown 1* %eo%&e (or the#r own /$e (or G,... *ear$2 And ta&k#n' a1o/t w#%#n' #t o/t@ Yo/ ha)e a 1etter !han!e o( w#%#n'o/t to1a!!o #n V#r'#n#a233We6&& !o"e 1a!k to th#$,3 G/*er %ro"#$ed, and the Co!a#ne Ta$k >or!e h/rr#ed (ro" the roo" (or a 1reak2The* ne)er !a"e 1a!k to B*!k6$ warn#n'$2Whenthehear#n'$re$/"ed, the!on're$$"en%e%%eredthew#tne$$e$w#th$/!h5/e$t#on$a$whetherthe*tho/'ht Ao&&*wood !o!a#ne /$e wa$ !ontr#1/t#n' to the deter#orat#on o( 5/at* TV $how$ =a$ one o( the" had heardre!ent&*ontheSLNKtheSand#n#$ta$Lwerewe&&0(o/nded, 1/tother$were"ored/1#o/$23B/twhentheInter0A"er#!anCo""#$$#ononA/"anR#'ht$, a1ran!ho(theOr'an#;at#ono( A"er#!anState$ =OAS?, d#d #t$ own #n$%e!t#on #n &ate +,F-, the Lat#n A"er#!an tea", o1$er)er$ (ro" other !o/ntr#e$, $aw th#n'$#n "/!h "ore 'ra%h#! ter"$ than had the A"er#!an$2The* $%oke to a "other who to&d o( %#!k#n' 1od* %art$ o/t o( the d/$t to rea$$e"1&e her (#)e0*ear0o&d da/'htera(ter the '#r& wa$ h#t 1* an a#r0to0'ro/nd "#$$#&e2 The* ta&ked w#th $/r)#)or$ o( 3O%erat#on DN d#dn6t o((#!#a&&* !o"e #nto e8#$ten!e /nt#& "#d0+,-+, $o #( B&andIn wa$ ra#$#n' "one* (or Contra(#'hter$ a$ ear&*a$ he$a*$7#n+,F,P-.7hewa$ do#n'#t on1eha&( o( the>DN6$ %rede!e$$orB theLe'#ono(Se%te"1er +:, a )#o&ent 1and o( e80G/ard#a "en then 1a$ed #n G/ate"a&a2 The &e'#on, a terror#$t or'an#;at#on $tarted1* (or"er So"o;a 1od*'/ard$ $oon a(ter So"o;a6$ (a&&, wa$ to 1e!o"e the hard !ore o( the >DN a(ter the CIA "er'ed#t #nto two $"a&&er re$#$tan!e 'ro/%$ #n A/'/$t +,-+2B&andIn6$ Contra (/nd0ra#$#n' e((ort$ 1ore tt&e (r/#t at (#r$t2 3At the 1e'#nn#n', we $tarted do#n' $o"e %art#e$,*o/ know, $o"e7how do *o/ !a&&7$o"e a!t#)#t#e$ #n the %ark, /nt#& +,-. and 6-+,3 he $a#d2 3We ha)e to ha)e $o"era&e$ or whate)er23 The (/nd0ra#$er$ were d#$a%%o#nt#n', tho/'h, 1r#n'#n' #n on&* 3a (ew tho/$and$ or $o"eth#n'23 Ana!5/a#ntan!e re%orted that B&andIn a&$o hawked !o%#e$ o( So"o;a6$ 1#tter "e"o#r$, N#!ara'/a Betra*ed, and he&%ed%/t o/t an ant#0Sand#n#$ta new$&etter that wa$ %r#nted at a tt&e $ho% owned 1* a $*"%athet#! N#!ara'/an2A1o/t the$a"et#"ethat B&andInandh#$!o"%atr#ot$1e'anthe#r(/nd0ra#$#n'e((ort$#nL2A2, So"o;a6$!o/$#n, L/#$ Pa&&a#$ De1a*&e, 1e'an "ak#n' the ro/nd$ o( the )ar#o/$ e8#&e 'ro/%$ #n the n#ted State$ and Centra&A"er#!a to $ee #( an*one wa$ #ntere$ted #n he&%#n' So"o;a (#'ht h#$ wa* 1a!k #nto %ower2Pa&&a#$ !onta!ted h#$ !o/$#n #n Para'/a*, and the e80d#!tator %ro"#$ed to k#!k #n M+ "#&on to $tart a re$#$tan!e"o)e"ent2 It wa$a%ro"#$ehene)er ke%t2 OnSe%te"1er +F, +,-.,Ar'ent#nere)o&/t#onar#e$1&a$tedaro!ket0%ro%e&&ed 'renade and a ha#& o( DN2In +,-+ CIA a'ent Enr#5/e Ber"Ode; %a#d B&andIn6$ tt&e 'ro/% #n L2A2 a )#$#t2 3Ber"Ode; !a"e to a "eet#n'o( the 'ro/% to '#)e a %e% ta&k and to a$k that the 'ro/% kee% the #dea o( a (ree and de"o!rat#! N#!ara'/a a)e 1*%/1!#;#n' the Contra !a/$e #n the n#ted State$,3 B&andIn to&d CIA #n$%e!tor$2 The !o&one& a$ked the 'ro/% 3to ado%tthe !o&or$ and the (&a' o( the >DN,3 and, a(ter that, the CIA #n$%e!tor$ wrote, 3B&andIn and other "e"1er o( the 'ro/%!a&&ed the"$e&)e$ >DN and /$ed the >DN6$ !o&or$, (&a' and &etterhead23The* a&$o 'ot an a$$#'n"ent, B&andIn te$t#(#ed2 3It !a"e, *o/ know, that we had to %ro)#de $o"e !ar$ and we'ot #n)o&)ed #n another th#n' to 'et $o"e "one*23 B* then B&andIn had 1een work#n' #n L2A2 &on' eno/'h to e$ta1$ha !red#t h#$tor*, $o he a%%ed (or an a/to &oan23ARN M:.,..., 1/tBa&todano $a#d the "one* 3wa$ 4/$t to !o)er a1$o&/te ne!e$$#t#e$2 One !an hard&* 1/#&d a "o)e"ent w#th M:.,...2 We!o/&d %a* (or o/r tr#% w#th that "one*23B* "#d0+,-+ Ar'ent#ne "#tar* ad)#$er$ were $e!ret&* $%%#n' #nto Aond/ra$ and ARN had the 1e$t !onne!t#on$ w#th the Aond/ran !a%#ta& andw#th the Aond/ran "#tar* and 'o)ern"ent,3 $a#d (or"er DN0>ARN !o""ander Ba&todano2Ba&todano6$ 'ro/% wanted noth#n' to do w#th Ber"Ode;6$ 1r/t#$h o/t(#t, re$#$t#n' the CIA6$ de$#re that #t 4o#n(or!e$ w#th the &e'#on2 The Cha"orro$ re'arded "an* o( the e80G/ard#a "en o( the &e'#on to 1e war !r#"#na&$ who!o/&d ne)er w#n %o%/&ar $/%%ort 1a!k ho"e2 3The Le'#on wa$ ent#re&* !o"%o$ed o( e80Nat#ona& G/ard$2 Nat/ra&&* one!o/&dn6t "ake a 1#' $%&a$h w#th that #n N#!ara'/a,3 Ba&todano $a#d2 There were a&$o #nd#!at#on$ that Ber"Ode; wa$%er$ona&&* !orr/%t2 In +,-+ a 'ro/% o( &e'#on o((#!er$ )oted to e8%e& h#" (ro" the or'an#;at#on (or "#$/$e o( (/nd$ and&*#n'2 The "/t#n* wa$ %/t down 1* Ber"Ode;6$ Ar'ent#ne 1a!ker$2TheCIAe)ent/a&&* 'ot #t$wa*2A(terto%CIAo((#!#a&$"etw#th the#r a&e$ #n the Aond/ran"#tar*, theAond/ran$w#thdrewthe#r$/%%orto(theCha"orro$6 'ro/%and1a!kedBer"Ode;6$&e'#on#n$tead2 I(DN0>ARNwanted to $ta* #n the Contra 1/$#ne$$, #t wo/&d ha)e to "er'e w#th Ber"Ode;6$ e80G/ard#a "en2And #( #t d#dn6t want to "er'e7we&&, #t wo/&d "er'e an*wa*2An odd k#nd o( 3/n#t*3 "eet#n' wa$ he&d #n A/'/$t +,-+ #n the /%$ta#r$ re! roo" o( the &e'#on6$ rented $a(eho/$e #n G/ate"a&a C#t*2 W#th an Ar'ent#ne "#tar* o((#!er &ook#n' on, Ber"Ode; $#'ned a one0%ara'ra%h do!/"ent$tat#n' that the Le'#on o( Se%te"1er +: and DN0>ARN 3a'ree to 4o#n e((ort$ and !on$t#t/te a $#n'&e or'an#;at#on thatw#&& 1e !a&&ed the N#!ara'/an De"o!rat#! >or!e$ =>DN? #n order to (#'ht a'a#n$t the Sand#n#$ta$23The Cha"orro 1rother$ 1o*!otted the "eet#n' rather than $#t #n the $a"e roo" w#th Ber"Ode;, wh#!h wa$ (#new#th Ber"Ode;, who re'arded the Cha"orro$ a$ !&o$et Co""/n#$t$2The&e'#on"o)edtoAond/ra$, andthe>DNwa$o((#!#a&&*1orn2 Q/#!k&*theDN0>ARNContra$were%/$hed #nto the 1a!k'ro/nd and a$$#'ned to $/1ord#nate ro&e$2 The to% 4o1$ were (#&&ed 1* Ber"Ode; and h#$ "/rdero/$!rew (ro" the Le'#on o( Se%te"1er +:2 3B* !hoo$#n' to $/%%ort Co&one& Ber"Ode; and the >DN o)er other Contra(a!t#on$, then#ted State$threw#n#t$ &ot w#th the $#n'&e "o$tdete$ted'ro/% o( N#!ara'/an$,3(or"erNew YorkT#"e$ re%orter Ste%hen K#n;er, who !o)ered the Contra$, wrote #n +,,+2 3A"er#!an %&anner$ ne)er $ee"ed to 'ra$%the$#"%&e (a!t that N#!ara'/an$hated theNat#ona& G/ard and wo/&d ne)er $/%%ortan #n$/r'en!* d#re!ted 1* e80G/ard$"en23The CIA6$ ro&e #n the >DN6$ !reat#on7h#dden at the t#"e7wa$ $%e&&ed o/t 1* (or"er >DN d#re!tor Ed'arCha"orro #n an a((#da)#t (#&ed w#th the Wor&d Co/rt #n the Aa'/e #n +,-:2 Cha"orro, a (or"er ad)ert#$#n' e8e!/t#)eand d#$tant re&at#)e o( the DN0>ARN Cha"orro 1rother$, $a#d the CIA %a#d (or the "eet#n', rented the 1/#&d#n', anddra(tedthea'ree"ent2 3Thena"eo(theor'an#;at#on, the"e"1er$o(the%ot#!a& 4/ntaandthe"e"1er$o(the'enera& $ta(( were a&& !ho$en or a%%ro)ed 1* the CIA23A$&/!kwo/&dha)e#t, theCIA$e&e!tedanother oneo(Norw#nro"&ate+,-+thro/'h"o$t o(+,-D, thea'en!*ranthe$howd#re!t&*, don'o/t wea%on$ and"one*, h#r#n'$/1!ontra!tor$, (err*#n'$/%%e$, %&ann#n'$trate'* and ta!t#!$, and kee%#n' ta1$ on #t$ h#ren'$2 A$ the N#!ara'/an$ $oon &earned, the#r ro&e wa$ to (#'ht and too1e* order$2 So"eone e&$e, /$/a&&* an A"er#!an CIA a'ent or an Ar'ent#ne "#tar* tra#ner, wo/&d do the th#nk#n' (orthe"2 One order the N#!ara'/an$ were re%eated&* '#)en wa$ to )ehe"ent&* den* an* !onne!t#on to the CIA2Ber"Ode; %&a*ed that ro&e to the h#&t, an'r#&* 1r/$h#n' o(( an* %re$$ $/''e$t#on$ that the 2S2 'o)ern"ent hada hand #n r/nn#n' the >DN2 3We wo/&d ne)er a!!e%t the ro&e o( A"er#!an "er!enar*,3 Ber"Ode; h/((ed2>or"er >DN d#re!tor Ed'ar Cha"orro !&a#"ed that CIA ad)#$er$ %re%%ed the" (or the#r %re$$ !on(eren!e$ andto&d the" to den* the* had re!e#)ed an* "one* (ro" the 2S2 'o)ern"ent2 3It wa$ %art#!/&ar&* #"%ortant that we den*ha)#n' "et w#th an* 2S2 'o)ern"ent o((#!#a&$,3 Cha"orro re!o/nted #n h#$ 1ook Pa!ka'#n' the Contra$2B&andIn $a#d that when he 1e'an $e&n' dr/'$ (or the >DN #n Lo$ An'e&e$, he wa$ aware the 2S2 'o)ern"enthad $o"ehow 1e!o"e #n)o&)ed w#th h#$ or'an#;at#on 1/t $aw no d#re!t e)#den!e o( #t h#"$e&(2 3BI that B&andIn wa$ /na1&e to /n&oad a&&the !o!a#ne ran!#$!o2 Ae wa$ a&$o "ak#n'#nroad$#ntoOak&and6$1&a!k!o""/n#t*, $e&n'toa!o/%&eo( A(r#!an0A"er#!andea&er$there2 n(ort/nate&*, the'rowth o( h#$ 1/$#ne$$ wa$ "ak#n' #t #n!rea$#n'&* d#((#!/&t (or h#" to d#$'/#$e what he wa$ do#n'2When a$ked, Na)a&a $a#d he worked a$ a 1/*er (or $o"e $/%er"arket$ #n Co$ta R#!a, wh#!h he&%ed !o)er h#$(re5/ent tra)e&$ to or the ne8t *ear, Ca1e;a$ $a#d, he and other$ "ade re'/&ar tr#%$ to BI re!ord$ $how Na)a&a "ade a "one*0ha/n' tr#% to Co$ta R#!a #n ear&* +,-G, and $a#d the a"o/nt he wa$ !arr*#n'wa$ a 5/arter "#&on do&&ar$2 The >BI wa$ #n(or"ed ear&* on that the Contra$ were dee%&* #n)o&)ed w#th the dr/' r#n'2In >e1r/ar* +,-G an #n(or"ant re%orted that Na)a&a 3had 1een "ak#n' $#&en!er$ and $end#n' the" to N#!ara'/a (or there)o&/t#on23The$a"e#n(or"ant a&$ore%ortedthat Contra&eaderAdo&(oCa&ero, the>DN6$%ot#!a& 1o$$anda&on't#"e CIA a'ent, 3wa$ de(#n#te&* #n)o&)ed #n !o!a#ne tra((#!23 =It a%%ear$, howe)er, that the #n(or"ant "a* a!t/a&&*ha)e 1een re(err#n' to Ca&ero6$ 1rother, ran!#$!o >BI o((#!eto the >BI d#re!tor #n Wa$h#n'ton, 3Na)a&a6$ $o/r!e$ o( $/%%&* o( th#$ !o!a#ne areB Tro#&o San!he;, >ernando San!he;andAora!#oPere#ra2A&&threeareo%erat#n'o/to(Co$taR#!a23 A$(orCa1e;a$, 3Ca1e;a$6$$o/r!e$o($/%%&*(or!o!a#ne ha)e 1een e$ta1$hed a$ Tro#&o San!he;, >ernando San!he;, Aora!#o Pere#ra o( Co$ta R#!a, A/"1erto and>ernando Ort#; o( Co&o"1#a, Se1a$t#an P#ne& o( Lo$ An'e&e$ and A&)aro Car)a4a& ran!#$!o23=Tho/'hthe>BId#dn6treae#t, that!a1&ee8%o$ed*et anotherL2A201a$edContradr/'dea&er, Se1a$t#anP#ne&2 Ae (#r$t a%%eared #n the CIA6$ (#&e$ #n &ate +,-., at the #n!e%t#on o( the CIA6$ !o/nter0re)o&/t#onar* e8%er#"ent$2The CIA #dent#(#ed P#ne& a$ the &eader o( an /nna"ed Contra 'ro/% #n Aond/ra$, and knew the Contra 1o$$ wa$ are%/teddo%etra((#!ker, de$!r#1#n'h#"a$a3%artner3and31e$t (r#end3o(Aora!#oPer#era, Norw#n6$Co$taR#!an!o!a#ne 1roker2?Ca1e;a$ wa$ a&$o tak#n' M:.,... a "onth to the Contra$6 or"er Contra o((#!#a& Leonardo Ne&edon Rodr#'/e; to&d PI #n +,-Hthat 3Tro#&o $o&d G.. %o/nd$ o( !o!a#ne and re!e#)ed MH2+ "#&on (or #t23The "one* Ca1e;a$ took to Centra& A"er#!a wa$ '#)en to Pere#ra or an >DN &o'#$t#!$ o((#!er, 9oa5/#n 3Pe&on3Ve'a, who )ed #n Dan, Aond/ra$, Ca1e;a$ $a#d2 Ae a$$/"ed the "one* wa$ /$ed to 1/* (ood and !&oth#n' (or thenew&* (or"ed '/err#&&a ar"*2 =Ve'a !o/&d not 1e &o!ated 1* the a/thor2?On one o( h#$ tr#%$ to Co$ta R#!a w#th Contra !a$h #n A%r#& or ran!#$!o !o!a#ne dea&er !o/&d $o a!!/rate&* drea" /% the aa$ o( an /nder!o)er CIA a'ent $tat#oned #n Co$ta R#!a,de$!r#1e h#$ ro&e w#th the Contra$ w#th $/!h %re!#$#on, and %#n%o#nt to w#th#n E. da*$ the t#"e %er#od d/r#n' wh#!h thea'ent ad"#t$ &a/nder#n' dr/' "one*2 or"o$t o(+,-G, DN0>ARN$er)ed, howe)er/nw#&n'&*, a$the$o/thern1ran!ho(theCIA6$%r#"ar*Contra (or!e7the >DN7r/n 1* ARN 4/"%ed $h#%, &ea)#n' the >DN and o((#!#a&&* /n#t#n' w#th Pa$tora6$ 'ro/% to(or" a 1rand0new Contra ar"* #n Co$ta R#!a, known a$ ARDE2At that %o#nt, #t #$ ke&* that the !o!a#ne %ro(#t$ (ro" ran!#$!o o%erat#on 1e'an 1e#n' /$ed to1ene(#t ARDE2 E)en then, howe)er, the CIA reta#ned o)er$#'ht re$%on$#1#t*2 When the Cha"orro$ $w#t!hed (ro" the>DN to the ARDE, the* $#"%&* !han'ed the#r ne o( !o""and2 In$tead o( re%ort#n' to Ber"Ode;, a$ the* had 1eendo#n', the* now re%orted to Pa$tora2 B/t 1oth Pa$tora and Ber"Ode; were $t#&& re%ort#n' to the CIA2 L#ke Ber"Ode;,Pa$tora wa$ %/t on the CIA6$ %a*ro&&, where he re"a#ned /nt#& "#d0+,-D2The "er'er 1etween the Cha"orro 1rother$ and Pa$tora6$ 'ro/% "ade $en$e %ot#!a&&* 1e!a/$e the* had onetra#t #n !o""on, a$#de (ro" the#r %re(eren!e (or (#'ht#n' (ro" Co$ta R#!aB a$ (or"er Sand#n#$ta$, the* hated the e80G/ard#a o((#!er$ who "ade /% the >DN2 Pa$tora (re5/ent&* o/tra'ed h#$ CIA hand&er$ 1* %/1!&* !o"%&a#n#n' a1o/th#$ %/r%orted a&e$ to the north, on!e %#!t/re$5/e&* re(err#n' to the" a$ 3!r#"#na& "/""#e$ and 'or#&&a$23 Ber"Ode;and the >DN !on$#dered Pa$tora a !&o$et Co""/n#$t and $/$%e!ted h#" o( 1e#n' a Sand#n#$ta "o&e2Car&o$ Ca1e;a$ $a#d h#$ Contra "one* ('ht$ to Co$ta R#!a !ont#n/ed thro/'ho/t +,-G 1/t were #nterr/%tednear the end o( that *ear, when Aora!#o Pere#ra wa$ arre$ted #n >&or#da2 Ca1e;a$ $a#d one o( the >BI6$ #n(or"ant$,Dona&d Pera&ta, a "an who had a!!o"%an#ed h#" to Co$ta R#!a on $e)era& o!!a$#on$ to de)er !a$h, t#%%ed o(( the >BIthat Pere#ra wa$ head#n' $o/th w#th a wad o( 'reen1a!k$2>BI re!ord$ $how that on De!e"1er +, +,-G, a !on(#dent#a& $o/r!e to&d >BI a'ent Da)#d A&1a that 3Aora!#oPere#ra and A/'/$to &or#da >'ht DFE to Co$ta R#!a2 The a'ent$ (o/nd MF.,... onh#", wh#!h he had (a#&ed to de!&are2>BI w#reta% re!ord$ $how that Ca1e;a$ wa$ #n !onta!t w#th Pere#ra6$ !o/$#n, Ro$#ta, $oon a(terward2 3Aora!#o'o#n' to !o/rt to"orrow,3 the >BI6$ note$ o( that %hone !a&& $a*2 3Car&o$ ha$ $o"e "one* to he&% Aora!#o2 The "one*taken 1* C/$to"$ w#&& 1e ke%t2 Car&o$ a$ked wh* Tro#&o ha$ not !a&&ed2 Aora!#o wa$ #nter)#ewed 1/t d#d not "ent#onCar&o$6 na"e2 Car&o$ want$ Aora!#o to !a&& to"orrow23OnChr#$t"a$E)e, a(terhewa$1a#&edo/t, Pere#ra!a&&edCa1e;a$andto&dh#"thathe6d1een$et/%andneeded $o"e "one*2Ca1e;a$ re%ed that 39a#ro #$ '#)#n' h#" "one*,3 an a%%arent re(eren!e to Norw#n BI wo/&d"on#tor "orethan+E,...!on)er$at#on$2 Ca1e;a$andNa)a&awere1e#n'$hadowed e)er*where2 The#r dea&er$ and the#r dea&er$6 !/$to"er$ had the#r %hone$ ta%%ed a$ we&&2The w#reta%$ re)ea&ed that the Co&o"1#an $#de o( Na)a&a6$ dr/' o%erat#on wa$ /$#n' (re#'hter$ re'#$tered to theGran Co&o"1#ana $h#%%#n' ne to 1r#n' !o!a#ne #nto the n#ted State$2 A'ent$ 1e'an (o&&ow#n' the Gran Co&o"1#ana$h#%$a$the*%edthewater$o(( theWe$t Coa$t andwat!heda$k#&o$o( !o!a#newere/n&oaded1*Ca1e;a$6$a$$o!#ate$ #n San >ran!#$!o and Seatt&e2 R#'ht 1e(ore Chr#$t"a$, the >BI $tarted tak#n' the o%erat#on a%art2On De!e"1er GG, +,-G, the* #nter!e%ted two "en !o"#n' o(( the (re#'hter C#/dad de N#e)a #n Lo$ An'e&e$,!arr*#n' th#rt*0n#ne %o/nd$ o( !o!a#ne2 Another Gran Co&o"1#ana $h#%, the C#/dad de C/!/ta, %/&&ed #nto P#er ,H #nSan >ran!#$!o $hort&* a(ter the (#r$t o( the *ear, and the >BI $et /% a $takeo/t2 It wa$ a )e$$e& that, a!!ord#n' to onere%ort, 3had 1een ra#ded #n %re)#o/$ dr/' $e#;/re$23Near&* two week$ went 1* w#tho/t an*th#n' ha%%en#n'2 Then, 4/$t 1e(ore G A2ran!#$!o Chron#!&e 1&a$ted the new$ o( the dr/' ra#d a!ro$$ #t$ (ront %a'e2 Aeadned3Co!a#neSe#;ed(ro">ro'"enatS2>2 P#er,3the$tor*to&do(3a(o'0$hro/ded$!ener#'ht o/t o(aB0"o)#e3and(eat/red a &ar'e (ront0%a'e %#!t/re o( a C/$to"$ a'ent #n a w#nd1reaker %#n' (oot1a&&0$#;ed 1r#!k$ o( !o!a#ne on ata1&e2It wa$ the (#r$t !a$e "ade 1* Pre$#dent Rona&d Rea'an6$ new (edera& Dr/' Ta$k >or!e #n San >ran!#$!o, and2S2 Attorne* 9o$e%h R/$$on#e&&o, a r#'ht0w#n' Re%/1!an !&o$e to the Rea'an ad"#n#$trat#on, "ade $/re the "ed#a/nder$tood what a "o"ento/$ $e#;/re the %re$#dent6$ new dr/' warr#or$ had "ade2 R/$$on#e&&o to&d re%orter$ that the$treet )a&/e o( the !o!a#ne the (ro'"en were !arr*#n' wa$, a(ter 3ro/t#ne d#&/t#on,3 a who%%#n' MF:. "#&on7three5/arter$ o( a 1#&on do&&ar$2 E)en the a'ent$ work#n' the !a$e !o/&dn6t $wa&&ow that one2 R/$$on#e&&o6$ 5/ote #n theChron#!&e wa$ (o&&owed 1* one (ro" the DEA $a*#n' the &oad wa$ worth no "ore than M+.. "#&on on the $treet, and1etween M++ "#&on and M+G "#&on who&e$a&e2Twoweek$&atera'ent$#nLo$ An'e&e$ra#dedtheGranCo&o"1#ana(re#'hterC#/daddeSantaran!#$!o area, #n!&/d#n' Ca1e;a$6$ ho/$e and Na)a&a6$ a%art"ent, $!oo%#n' /% e)er*one and e)er*th#n' the* !o/&d(#nd2 The ha/& #n!&/ded the Co&o"1#an $/%%er A&)aro Car)a4a& #)e da*$ &aterNan#de$ (#&ed a three0%ara'ra%h a'ree"ent that $a#d $#"%&* that the 3n#ted State$ w#&& not #ntrod/!e the MEH,.G. #nn#ted State$ !/rren!* $e#;ed (ro" the re$#den!e o( 9/o Na)a&a3 and 3a'ree$ to ret/rn $a#d !/rren!* to 9/o Na)a&a23In e8!han'e, the a'ree"ent $tated, Na)a&a wo/&d not %re$$ the #$$/e o( the Co$ta R#!an de%o$#t#on$23A$ the "atter $tand$ now,3 a CIA !a1&e $tated, 3CIA e5/#t#e$ are (/&&* %rote!ted23 The !a1&e 1e"oaned the (a!tthat 1oth A)#&e$ and Ra%%a!!#o 3%&anned to te$t#(* at the#r de%o$#t#on a$ to the $o/r!e o( the "one* #n 5/e$t#on2 We!an on&* '/e$$ at what other te$t#"on* "a* ha)e 1een (orth!o"#n'23A 2S2 e"1a$$* o((#!#a& #n Co$ta R#!a, a(ter hear#n' that the de%o$#t#on$ had 1een !a&&ed o((, 5/#%%ed that the*3had 1een !an!e&ed 1* The >/nn* >ar"23 A#$ re"ark 5/#!k&* 'ot 1a!k to Lan'&e*, wh#!h #n$tr/!ted #t$ Co$ta R#!ana'ent$ to te&& the d#%&o"at 3that CIA had no hand #n !an!e&&at#on o( the tr#%23Year$&ater, when5/e$t#oneda1o/tthe!a$e1*thea/thor, (or"er2S2Attorne*R/$$on#e&&o$a#dtheon&*rea$on he a'reed to ret/rn the dr/' dea&er6$ !a$h wa$ 1e!a/$e #t wo/&d ha)e !o$t the 'o)ern"ent too "/!h "one* to 'oto Co$ta R#!a and take two de%o$#t#on$2 There ne)er wa$ an* e)#den!e to $/''e$t that the Contra$ were #n)o&)ed w#ththedr/'r#n', he#n$#$ted2 B/t e)enthe9/$t#!eDe%art"ent6$In$%e!torGenera& d#dn6t 1/*that2A(ter5/e$t#on#n'R/$$#on#e&&o, the IG !on!&/ded that the CIA had #nter)ened w#th the %ro$e!/tor 1e!a/$e o( 3a de$#re to %rote!t the%/1! #"a'e o( the Contra$ or the CIA2 2 2the CIA !on$#dered the %otent#a& %re$$ !o)era'e o( a Contra0dr/' nk to 1e a$/((#!#entrea$on toatte"%tto #n(&/en!ethede!#$#onto ret/rnthe "one*to Na)a&a23 CIA !a1&e$ (/rtherde$!r#1edR/$$#on#e&&o a$ 3"o$t de(erent#a& to o/r #ntere$t$23Inadd#t#on, therewa$ a$ta!ko( te&e%honere!ord$ nk#n'theContra$d#re!t&*tothedr/'r#n', wh#!hR/$$#on#e&&o ne)er re&ea$ed or %/1!&* ad"#tted2 3A de(endant #n the >ro'"an !a$e had "ade :+ %hone !a&&$ to the>DN o((#!e #n San >ran!#$!o,3 a $e!ret +,-F DEA re%ort $tate$, not#n' that one o( #t$ !on(#dent#a& #n(or"ant$ had "etw#th the tra((#!ker$ at the >DN6$ o((#!e2The>BIa'ent who#n)e$t#'atedthe!a$e, Da)#d A&1a, hadtt&edo/1t theCIAwa$1eh#ndR/$$#on#e&&o6$de!#$#on to '#)e 1a!k the dr/' "one*2 3Na)a&a or $o"eone he wa$ work#n' w#th wa$ #n)o&)ed w#th the CIA,3 A&1a to&d9/$t#!e De%art"ent #n$%e!tor$ #n +,,F2E)en a(ter the de%o$#t#on$ were !an!e&ed, the a'en!* !ont#n/ed to (ret that #t$ d#rt* $e!ret$ wo/&d $o"ehow&eak o/t2 CIA o((#!#a&$ were #n$tr/!ted to 3"on#tor the %ro$e!/t#on !&o$e&* $o that an* (/rther d#$!&o$/re$ or a&&e'at#on$1* de(endant or h#$ !on(#dant$ !an 1e de(&e!ted23 CIA &aw*er Str#!k&and ar'/ed #n a "e"o that the Co$ta R#!an $tat#on3"/$t1e"adeawareo(the%otent#a&(ord#$a$ter2Wh#&ethea&&e'at#on$"a*1eent#re&*(a&$e, thereare$/((#!#ent(a!t/a& deta#&$ wh#!h wo/&d !a/$e !erta#n da"a'e to o/r #"a'e and %ro'ra" #n Centra& A"er#!a23 A "e"o (ro" CIA'enera& !o/n$e& Stan&e*S%ork#no1$er)ed, 3Th#$ "atter ra#$e$ o1)#o/$ 5/e$t#on$ !on!ern#n'the %eo%&ewe are$/%%ort#n' #n Centra& A"er#!a23In a &en'th* !a1&e to the Co$ta R#!an $tat#on on A/'/$t GD, +,-D, Str#!k&and deta#&ed h#$ !on!ern$2 3Wh#&e th#$%art#!/&ar a$%e!t wa$ $/!!e$$(/&&* re$o&)ed, the %o$$#1#t* o( %otent#a& da"a'e to CIA #ntere$t$ wa$ not &o$t on the 2S2Attorne* or head5/arter$2 B* )#rt/e o( Ra%%a!!#o$ re&at#on$h#% a$ a (or"er !o)ert a!t#on a$$et and a "e"1er o( 1oardo( d#re!tor$ o( a Contra or'an#;at#on, A)#&e$6 ro&e a$ d#re!tor o( the Contra $/%%ort 'ro/% o((#!e #n San 9o$e, and the#r(or"a& !&a#" o( dr/'0ta#nted "one*, !a$e !o/&d 1e "ade that CIA (/nd$ are 1e#n' d#)erted 1* CIA a$$et$ #nto the dr/'trade,3 he wrote2 3Indeed, !&o$e re&at#on$h#% 1etween Na)a&a, a !on)#!ted dr/' dea&er, and Ra%%a!!#o and A)#&e$ !o/&d%ro)e "o$t da"a'#n' e$%e!#a&&* #( an* re&at#on$h#%, no "atter how #nd#re!t, were to !ont#n/e2 A$ &on' a$ Ra%%a!!#oand A)#&e$ !ont#n/e to %&a* an* ro&e #n the ant#0Sand#n#$ta "o)e"ent, an* %/1! d#$!&o$/re o( the (ore'o#n' wo/&dha)e a$ a !erta#n e&e"ent the (a!t that the* were 6nked to6 or 6a$$et$ o(6 CIA23Str#!k&and to&d the Co$ta R#!an $tat#on to &ook #nto whether the Contra$ were dean' dr/'$ 1/t warned 3noa!t#on other than d#$!reet #n5/#r#e$ $ho/&d 1e /ndertaken w#tho/t head5/arter$ a%%ro)a&23What theCIA(o/ndwa$!en$ored(ro"there%ort, 1/t thea'en!*!&ear&*d#dn6t !/t #t$t#e$w#ththetwoN#!ara'/an$2 A)#&e$, #n +,-:, wa$ a%%o#nted to the 'enera& $ta(( o( DN0>ARN2 A +,-- State De%art"ent 1#o'ra%h* o(V#!ente Ra%%a!!#o #dent#(#ed h#" a$ the $e!retar* o( the Contra$6 %ot#!a& d#)#$#on2 In!red#1&*, the +,,- CIA In$%e!torGenera&6$ re%ort that !onta#ned a&& the !a1&e$ !&a#"ed A)#&e$ and Ra%%a!!#o rea&&* hadn6t worked (or the CIA a(ter a&&2The re%eated re(eren!e$ to the" a$ CIA a$$et$ #n the +,-D !a1&e$ were "#$take$, the IG !&a#"ed2In O!to1er +,-D the (edera& 'o)ern"ent ret/rned MEH,.G. to A)#&e$ and Na)a&a2 And not a "o"ent too $oonBe#'ht da*$ a(ter the !he!k wa$ #$$/ed, the 2S2 Con're$$7o/tra'ed 1* the d#$!&o$/re that the CIA and the Contra$ haddro%%ed ant#$h#% "#ne$ #n N#!ara'/an har1or$7!/t o(( a&& CIA (/nd#n' (or the Contra$2De$%#te the CIA6$ e((ort$ to kee% Contra #n)o&)e"ent #n the $o0!a&&ed >ro'"an !a$e (ro" 1e!o"#n' %/1!,$o"e o( the tr/th 'ot o/t when Car&o$ Ca1e;a$ took the w#tne$$ $tand #n &ate +,-D a'a#n$t h#$ e801rother0#n0&aw2 nderoath, and a$ a 2S2 'o)ern"ent w#tne$$, Ca1e;a$ ad"#tted that $o"e o( the !o!a#ne "one* wa$ 'o#n' to the Contra$2Ae to&d the 4/r* o( h#$ "eet#n'$ w#th Aora!#o Pere#ra,and o( Pere#ra6$ ner)o/$ne$$ o)er the Contra$6%ro(#t$ 1e#n'"#$$%ent 1* the hard0dr#nk#n' Na)a&a2 Pa'e$ (ro" the &ed'er 1ook$ #n wh#!h Ca1e;a$ ke%t tra!k o( the Contra$6 !o!a#newere #ntrod/!ed #nto e)#den!e and "ade %/1!, $how#n' !o!a#ne tran$a!t#on$ w#th Contra o((#!#a& >ernando San!he;2Na)a&a wa$ !on)#!ted o( tra((#!k#n' and $enten!ed to %r#$on2 Ca1e;a$6$ te$t#"on* went /n!ha&&en'ed2 It a&$owent /nre%orted2 Tho/'h the San >ran!#$!o new$ "ed#a had (a#r&* $wooned when Ca1e;a$ and Na)a&a were arre$ted,not a $#n'&e re%orter $t/!k aro/nd to !o)er the tr#a&2 The e)#den!e o( Contra #n)o&)e"ent #n !o!a#ne tra((#!k#n' #n San>ran!#$!o wo/&d e /nd#$t/r1ed #n a (edera& !o/rt (#&e (or another two *ear$2 3The* were do#n' the#r %atr#ot#! d/t*3 nke Car&o$ Ca1e;a$, who wa&ked #nto an e8#$t#n' !o!a#ne $a&e$ o%erat#on and 1e'an dean' do%e the ne8tda*, Dan#&o B&andIn wa$ (or!ed to "ake h#$ own wa*, (#nd#n' h#$ own 1/*er$ #n a !#t* he rea&&* d#dn6t know2 I( he had1een #n San >ran!#$!o, #t wo/&d ha)e 1een a d#((erent $tor*2 DN d#re!tor Ed'ar Cha"orro to&d the San >ran!#$!o E8a"#ner #n +,-H that he and>DNd#re!tor >rank Arana(&ewtoSan>ran!#$!o#nO!to1er +,-Gto$e&e!t &o!a& &eader$(or the>DN6$$/%%ort!o""#tteethere2 ree&an!e #n)e$t#'at#)e re%orter Dann* Ca$o&aro wa$ &ook#n' #nto the Ca1a;onXWa!kenh/t %ro4e!t$ a$ %art o( a&ar'er!on$%#ra!*#n)e$t#'at#onatthet#"ehewa$(o/nddead#na We$tV#r'#n#a"ote&roo"#n+,,+, a&&e'ed&*a$/#!#de )#!t#"2 Ae had to&d (r#end$ he wa$ !on)#n!ed that 3$%#e$, ar"$ "er!hant$ and other$ were /$#n' the re$er)at#ona$ a &ow0%ro(#&e $#te on wh#!h to de)e&o% wea%on$ (or Th#rd Wor&d ar"#e$, #n!&/d#n' the N#!ara'/an Contra$23 TheChron#!&e$tatedthat Contra&eader EdenPa$torahad)#$#teda(#r#n'ran'enear there$er)at#on(or awea%on$de"on$trat#on #n +,-+, a !&a#" Pa$tora ha$ 1oth !on(#r"ed and den#ed on $e%arate o!!a$#on$2In ear&* +,,D the 2S2 9/$t#!e De%art"ent anno/n!ed that #t wa$ o%en#n' 3a nat#onw#de #n)e$t#'at#on3 #ntoCa$o&aro6$ $/$%#!#o/$ death7a %ro1e ordered 1* then0a$$o!#ate attorne* 'enera& We11 A/11e&&2 Not &on' a(terwardA/11e&& %&eaded '/#&t* to !r#"e$ he6d !o""#tted wh#&e an Arkan$a$ &aw*er and re$#'ned (ro" the 9/$t#!e De%art"ent2What re$/&ted (ro" the Ca$o&aro #n)e$t#'at#on, or e)en whether #t e)er went (orward, ha$ not 1een "ade %/1!2A/11e&&6$ #ntere$t #n the 4o/rna$t6$ death "a* ha)e 1een "ore than %a$$#n' !/r#o/$#t*2 A/11e&& had h#$ own!onne!t#on$ to a !o"%an* that wa$ "ak#n' wea%on$ %art$ (or the Contra$2T#"La>ran!e6$$tor*a1o/t $ett#n'/%anar"$ (a!tor*w#thRona&dL#$ter #nE& Sa&)ador 1ear$$tr#k#n'$#"#&ar#t#e$ to one to&d 1* Terr* Reed, a (or"er a#r (or!e #nte&'en!e o((#!er and >BI #n(or"ant who 1e!a"e #n)o&)edw#th the CIA6$ Contra %ro4e!t #n the "#d0+,-.$2 Reed, a %#&ot and "a!h#ne too& e8%ert, $a#d he wa$ #n#t#a&&* re!r/#ted totra#n wo/&d01e Contra %#&ot$ at a !&ande$t#ne a#r$tr#% near Ne&&a, Arkan$a$2 Later, he !&a#"$, he wa$ a$ked to he&% theCIA $et /% $e!ret wea%on$ %art$ (a!#t#e$ #n Arkan$a$ and, &ater, #n e1r/ar* +F, +,-H, Sea& wa$ "/rdered #n New Or&ean$ 1* Co&o"1#an h#t "en2 >o/r "onth$ &ater, #n 9/ne,North!a&&edthe>BIand!&a#"edthat therewa$an3a!t#)e"ea$/re$%ro'ra"31e#n'd#re!teda'a#n$t h#"1*theSand#n#$ta$2 Peo%&e were (o&&ow#n' h#", he (retted, d#re!t#n' death threat$ and $"ear$ a'a#n$t h#"2 3North e8%re$$ed(/rther !on!ern that he "a* 1e tar'eted (or e"#nat#on 1* or'an#;ed !r#"e d/e to h#$ a&&e'ed #n)o&)e"ent #n dr/'r/nn#n',3 a Wa$h#n'ton01a$ed >BI a'ent wrote2 North %o#nted to 3the "/rder on >e12 +F, +,-H o( a DEA a'ent, Stee&eK$#!L, on the date %r#or to Stee&e6$ te$t#(*#n' a'a#n$t the Sand#n#$ta$ (or dr/' #n)o&)e"ent23Sea&6$ 3%er$ona& re!ord$ $howed h#" to 1e a !ontra!t CIA o%erat#)e 1oth 1e(ore and d/r#n' h#$ *ear$ o( dr/'0r/nn#n' #n or!e#n)e$t#'at#on#n)o&)#n'the!o!a#netra((#!k#n'a!t#)#t#e$o(a%ro"#nent L#tt&e Ro!k 1/$#ne$$"an who o%erated $e)era& 1ank#n' #n)e$t"ent (#r"$ and 1rokera'e$ #n Arkan$a$ and>&or#da,3 the >BI re%ort $tated2 3The #n)e$t#'at#on re)ea&ed that th#$ 1/$#ne$$"an wa$ the "a#n $/%%er o( !o!a#ne tothe #n)e$t"ent 1ank#n' and 1ond !o""/n#t* #n the L#tt&e Ro!k area, wh#!h ha$ the &ar'e$t 1ond !o""/n#t* #n then#ted State$ o/t$#de o( New York C#t*2 Th#$ ta$k (or!e #n)e$t#'at#on re$/&ted #n the !on)#!t#on o( th#$ 1/$#ne$$"an andGD !ode(endant$ to 4a#& $enten!e$ ran'#n' (ro" (o/r "onth$ to +. *ear$, a$ we&& a$ the $e#;/re o( !o!a#ne, "ar#4/ana, ana/to"o1#&e, an a#r%&ane and MFF,...23T*%#!a&&*, #n)e$t#'at#on$!ond/!ted1*(edera& Or'an#;edCr#"eDr/'En(or!e"ent Ta$k>or!e=OCDET>?/n#t$ tar'et to%0&e)e& !r#"#na& or'an#;at#on$, not 1/$#ne$$"en who take a (ew toot$ e)er* now and then2 Re$ear!her$(a"#ar w#th the La$ater #n)e$t#'at#on $a* that the >BI6$ de$!r#%t#on o( #t$ L#tt&e Ro!k #n)e$t#'at#on 'oe$ (ar 1e*ondan*th#n' that ha$ e)er 1een %/1!&* re&ea$ed a1o/t the La$ater %ro1e2Ro'er ran!e $a#d2 3W#&ker had heard a1o/t "* $t/(( (ro" the A'en!*2 Ae $a#d hehad a (r#end who wanted to ta&k a1o/t a dea&2 I !a&&ed to !he!k and Lan'&e* $a#d he KW#&kerL wa$ $t#&& work#n' (or theA'en!*2 So I $tarted do#n' 1/$#ne$$ w#th L#$ter and W#&ker23 L#$ter wa$ not o((#!#a&&* a CIA e"%&o*ee, a!!ord#n' toLa>ran!eJ 3Ae wa$n6t 'ett#n' a %a*!he!k (ro" the"2 Ae "a* ha)e $a#d he d#d 1/t h#$ !onne!t#on wa$2 2 2w#th W#&ker2Ver* (ew %eo%&e e)er work d#re!t&* (or the A'en!*23>or"er CIA o((#!er 9ohn Vandewerker, who on!e e"%&o*ed W#&ker a$ a $a&e$"an, $a#d he knew L#$ter andW#&ker were #n)o&)ed #n $o"e 1/$#ne$$ a!t#)#t* #n E& Sa&)ador2 3It wa$ k#nd o( to/!h*2 2 2a$ (ar a$ 'ett#n' o/t o( the!o/ntr*anda&& that k#ndo( $t/((23Aed#dnot e&a1orate2 =Co#n!#denta&&*, Vandewerker6$na"ewa$(o/nd#nthenote1ook$ o( #n)e$t#'at#)e re%orter Dann* Ca$o&aro a(ter h#$ death, #n !onne!t#on w#th the 'o#n'$0on at the Ca1a;onre$er)at#on2?P*ra"#d wa$ e)ent/a&&* to$$ed o/t o( E& Sa&)ador at the /r'#n' o( the 2S2 Ar"*, wh#!h took o)er the wea%on$%&ant that he and P*ra"#d had $tarted, La>ran!e $a#d2L#$ter d#$"#$$e$ an* $/''e$t#on that he wa$ 3know#n'&*3 work#n' (or the CIA2 In an #nter)#ew w#th %o!e #n+,,H, he !&a#"ed 3that #( he were a((#ated w#th an or'an#;at#on ke the CIA, he wo/&dn6t ta&k a1o/t #t23 Ae !on(#r"ed,the dete!t#)e$ wrote, that he had 1een a 3$e!/r#t* !on$/&tant and had dean'$ and o((#!e$ down #n E& Sa&)ador2 L#$ter$a#d he had a 6ree1a$#n' wa$ what !o"ed#an R#!hard Pr*or had 1een do#n' when he $et h#"$e&( on (#re on 9/ne ,, +,-., andran $!rea"#n' (ro" h#$ 1edroo" #n Northr#d'e, o/t$#de L2A27a 1a&& o( 1&a;#n' %o&*e$ter &ea%#n' a!ro$$ neat&* ke%t&awn$2 3A#$ %o&*e$ter $h#rt had "e&ted onto h#$ ar"$ and !he$t and he $/((ered th#rd0de'ree 1/rn$ (ro" the wa#$t /%,3T#"e "a'a;#ne re%orted2 3The Lo$ An'e&e$ %o!e $a* Pr*or to&d the" that the a!!#dent o!!/rred wh#&e he wa$ 6(ree01a$#n'6 !o!a#ne23Pr*orwo/&d&ater$a*(ree1a$#n'wa$on&*tan'ent#a&&*re&atedtoh#$(ear(/& $!or!h#n'2The(#reha%%ened1e!a/$e he a!!#denta&&* #'n#ted $o"e +:+0%roo( r/" wh#&e #n a da;e (ro" a $e)ent*0two0ho/r (ree1a$#n' 1#n'e2 I( he6d1een$"ok#n'(ree1a$e, #n(a!t, he"#'ht ne)erha)e1/rnedh#"$e&(ata&&JPr*or$a#dhe$tarteddr#nk#n'ther/"1e!a/$e he6d r/n o/t o( !o!a#ne2The d#$t#n!t#on d#dn6t "atter "/!h to the new$ "ed#a2 The (a!t that Pr*or7a "a4or !e&e1r#t*7had an a!!#dentwh#&e #n the !&/t!he$ o( $o"e we#rd, e8ot#! new dr/' ha1#t "ade #t 1#' new$2 3When Co!a#ne Can K#&&,3 New$weektr/"%eted2 3A dan'ero/$ dr/' !ra;e3 #$ how Peo%&e Week&* %/t #t2 The Lo$ An'e&e$ T#"e$ d#$!o)ered to #t$ a&ar" that#n the "o$t&* 1&a!k NBA, (ree1a$e /$e wa$ $%read#n' a"on' %ro 1a$ket1a&& %&a*er$2A$ one !o!a#ne e8%ert wrote #n +,-G, the !o)era'e o( Pr*or6$ a!!#dent wa$ 3re"#n#$!ent o( the %re0Aarr#$on A!t*e&&ow 4o/rna$" KandL to&d the $tor* o( how !o!a#ne wa$ 1e!o"#n' the "odern )er$#on o( the B&a!k !o!a#ne "ena!eo( the ear&* +,..$23 The Aarr#$on A!t o( +,+D, wh#!h o/t&awed re!reat#ona& !o!a#ne /$e #n the n#ted State$, re$/&ted(ro" a w#&d7and 1o'/$7new$%a%er !a"%a#'n "o/nted 1* $o/thern $her#(($ who nked !oke0!ra;ed 1&a!k $t/d$ tothe ra%e$ o( wh#te wo"en2>or a )ar#et* o( rea$on$, #n!&/d#n' the 1ad %re$$ (ro" Pr*or6$ "#$(ort/ne, (ree1a$#n' wa$ &ar'e&* a %a$$#n' (ad,ne)er rea&&* tak#n' ho&d e8!e%t a"on' a (ew r#!h, hard0!ore dr/' /$er$2 3The re&at#)e&* h#'h !o$t and d#((#!/&t* o(%rod/!#n' !o!a#ne (ree01a$e "ade #t &e$$ a!!e$$#1&e to "o$t !o!a#ne /$er$,3 dr/' re$ear!her Ste)en Be&enko wrote #n+,,E2 3Ane$t#"ated+.Ro( !o!a#ne/$er$#nthe&ate+,F.$a&$o/$ed(ree01a$e!o!a#ne2 B/t theneed(or&ar'e5/ant#t#e$ o( re&at#)e&* %/re !o!a#ne and )o&at#&e !he"#!a&$ to %rod/!e (ree01a$e "#ted #t$ a%%ea& to the 1roader 'ro/%o( !o!a#ne /$er$23nkeR#!hardPr*or6$ ne#'h1orhood,the ne#'h1orhood whereR#!k*Ro$$)edrare&* $aw !o!a#ne #nan*(or"2 A$ hard a$ the dr/' wa$ to (#nd #n wh#te, "#dd&e0!&a$$ !o""/n#t#e$, #t wa$ ten t#"e$ a$ $!ar!e #n So/th Centra&L2A2, where the Ro$$ (a"#&* had )ed $#n!e the ear&* +,H.$2 Peo%&e #n the %ro4e!t$ d#dn6t ha)e that k#nd o( "one*, and#( e)er* on!e #n a wh#&e the* d#d, the* $/re a$ he&& d#dn6t 'o o/t and $%end #t a&& on wh#te %owder that 1are&* 'ot *o/h#'h2A!!ord#n' to a Rand In$t#t/te $t/d* o( $treet %r#!e$ %a#d 1* DEA a'ent$ and #n(or"ant$, an o/n!e o( !o!a#ne%owder #n L2A2 wa$ $e&n' (or MD,-DD #n +,F,2 Other $o/r!e$ %&a!e #t at ro/'h&* MG,:.. an o/n!e, $/''e$t#n' that DEAa'ent$ weren6t the $a))#e$t $ho%%er$ aro/nd2 In an* e)ent, a t#n* 1#t !o$t a1o/t ha&( the a)era'e ann/a& #n!o"e o( aSo/th Centra& re$#dent2 L#tt&e wonder that "ar#4/ana and an'e& d/$t7a dan'ero/$ !he"#!a& known #n the %ro4e!t$ a$3Sher"3 or 3water37were the dr/'$ o( !ho#!e where R#!k* Ro$$ )ed2 The* were (ar &e$$ e8%en$#)e2 That wa$ wh*Tho"a$ C2 3Toot#e3 Ree$e, the a&&e'ed k#n' o( !o!a#ne #n 1&a!k L2A2 at the t#"e, &a"ented that he ne)er $o&d a$ "/!h!oke a$ the !o%$ and the %re$$ !&a#"ed23When*o/"ent#oned dr/'$,whether#twa$hero#nor!oke,*o/heard Toot#e6$ na"e,3$a#d (or"erLAPDnar!ot#!dete!t#)eSte)en Po&ak23Ae wa$ thek#n'%#n,e$%e!#a&&* #n the (#(t#e$ and $#8t#e$2E)er*1od* wa$work#n'Toot#e Ree$e2 Toot#e Ree$e wa$ %ro1a1&* one o( the (#r$t 1&a!k$ who rea&&* d#d 1#' do%e23 B/t the "an h#"$e&( had ad#((erent $tor* (or the L2A2 T#"e$, wh#!h #nter)#ewed h#" a (ew "onth$ a(ter h#$ arre$t #n De!e"1er +,-E (or $e&n'two k#&o$ o( !o!a#ne to /nder!o)er o((#!er$23Ia#n6t ne)er1een1#',3 Toot#eto&dthe T#"e$2 So"ee)#den!e'atheredd/r#n'the#n)e$t#'at#ono(Ree$e1a!ked /% h#$ a$$ert#on that h#$ !o!a#ne0dean' %rowe$$ had 1een 'reat&* o)errated2 D/r#n' a ta%ed !on)er$at#on w#th/nder!o)er a'ent$, Ree$e to&d the" that 3"o$t o( h#$ !/$to"er$ %/r!ha$e on&* (#)e o/n!e$ or +. o/n!e$ and that he hadon&* (#)e k#&o0$#;e !/$to"er$23 That ad"#$$#on wa$ "ade at a t#"e when a "/!h 1#''er dea&er #n So/th Centra&7Dan#&oB&andIn7wa$"o)#n'do;en$ o(k#&o$a"onththro/'h 4/$t one!/$to"er2 Ree$e wa$ "o$t&* ahero#nand"ar#4/ana dea&er2 B* the ear&* +,-.$, when !o!a#ne $tarted $ee%#n' #nto the #nner !#t#e$ #n not#!ea1&e a"o/nt$, Ree$ewa$ a d#no$a/r23The$e new k#d$, on!e the e#'ht#e$ h#t and the$e 'an'$ hooked /% w#th th#$ do%e, he wa$ noth#n' an*"ore,3 e80dete!t#)e Po&ak $a#d2 3Ae wa$ 4/$t an o&d 'rand%a who6d &o$t h#$ teeth and wa$n6t worth an*th#n' an*"ore23 A +,-,L2A2 T#"e$ #$her, the /%ho&$ter* tea!her, and the two %&a*ed tenn#$ to'ether(re5/ent&*2 Ro$$ $oon ado%ted >#$her a$ a (ather (#'/re2 3#$her6$ ho/$e w#th the#r hard0earned !a$h23We 1o/'ht what6$ !a&&ed an -0tra!k o( !o!a#ne (ro" h#"2 It6$ three 'ra"$ o( !o!a#ne2 At that t#"e, #t %ro1a1&*wa$ a1o/t a 'ra" o( !o!a#ne and a1o/t two 'ra"$ o( !/t23 Tak#n' the -0tra!k (or MG:., the* !/t #t a'a#n and $o&d #t o((#n 1#t$ and %#e!e$2 3We !o/&d take #t to o/r ne#'h1orhood where we $ta*ed at and #t wo/&d $e&& (or Ka tota& o(L (#)e, $#8h/ndred do&&ar$2 2 22 I th#nk the (#r$t t#"e we "#'ht ha)e "ade a1o/t MH.. o(( #t2 2 2an aw(/& &ot o( "one*23In$tead o( $%end#n' the %ro(#t$, Ro$$ $a#d, the* went 1a!k to >#$her6$ ho/$e and ordered "ore !o!a#ne2 3So&d #t,"ade "ore "one*,3 Ro$$ $a#d2 3I d#dn6t rea&&* know the 'a"e2 It wa$ ke we were 4/$t $t/"1n' thro/'h, *o/ knowwhat I6" $a*#n'@ P#!k#n' /% a$ we 'o23Ro$$ $a#d the a"o/nt o( !a$h he wa$ a1&e to 1r#n' #n $!ared h#"23I wa$ $e&n', and O&e wa$ $tand#n' 1a!k, *o/ know, and wat!h#n' "e, *o/ know, "ake $/re d#dn6t no1od*tr* to ro1 "e or noth#n' ke that,3 Ro$$ $a#d2 3So I wo/&d "ake ke three h/ndred do&&ar$, I wo/&d take #t ho"e and%/t #t /%, 1e!a/$e I d#dn6t want to 1e $tand#n' o/t there w#th a who&e &ot o( do%e and a who&e &ot o( "one*2 Be!a/$e the%o!e ra#ded the $%ot a&& the t#"e, *o/ know2 The* "#'ht 1e ra#ded e)er* +: or G. "#n/te$2 It wa$ a PCP $treet2 The*wa$ $e&n' PCP there2 B/t the* wo/&dn6t %a* no attent#on to "e /n&e$$ I had a &ot o( "one* on "e23Ro$$ $a#d the !o%$ "o$t&* 4/$t $"e&&ed dea&er$6 hand$, &ook#n' (or the te&&ta&e $ten!h o( PCP2 3The* wo/&d 4/$t$"e&& "* hand$, %at "e and &et "e 'o2 B/t #( I had a wad o( "one*, #t wo/&d draw attent#on, $o we ne)er wanted to 'eto)er two or three h/ndred do&&ar$23A!5/a#ntan!e$ who were dean' PCP73$&an'#n' Sher"3 or 3$e&n' water,3 a$ #t wa$ !a&&ed7"ade (/n o(h#" (or $e&n' !oke 1e!a/$e there wa$ a "/!h 1#''er "arket (or an'e& d/$t2 3A&& the '/*$ $e&n' PCP /$ed to te&& /$,6Ya6&& !an "ake "ore "one*, *a6&& $ho/&d $e&& PCP26 And I wa$ ke, 6No, that6$ a&& r#'ht, I don6t want to "e$$ w#th PCP2That6$ too hard26 And !o!a#ne wa$ "ore, ke, (&*er, "ore ke the /%%#t* %eo%&e, *o/ know, wa$n6t no1od* 'o#n' !ra;*,*o/ know@ When the* $"oked the PCP the* wo/&d 'o !ra;* and $t/(( and I wo/&d th#nk, 6I a#n6t 'onna 1e #n)o&)edw#th that26 Co!a#ne #$ ke, "e&&ow, and #t wa$ !oo&2 So I d#dn6t "#nd do#n' #t23St#&& $'ht&* /n$/re o( the (/t/re o( the !o!a#ne 1/$#ne$$, Ro$$ ke%t h#$ hand #n the a/to 1/$#ne$$ a$ we&&2 Aewa$ $t#&& $tean' !ar$ and (en!#n' the" or $tr#%%#n' the" down #n h#$ 1od* $ho% and %art#n' the" o/t2 On or "e, #t wa$ a 1#' !/$to"er23Aenr* wa$ $o 'rate(/& (or B&andIn6$ he&% that he a'reed to $hare h#$ %ro(#t$ on e)er* k#&o he $o&d, (#(t*0(#(t*23We$%t the!o""#$$#on,3B&andIn$a#d, 1/t he!o/&dn6t re"e"1erhow"/!hthat wa$2 3Iwa$$e&n'toAenr*Corra&e$ and Aenr* Corra&e$ wa$ $e&n' to h#" KR#!k*L2 Aenr* wa$ !o"#n' to "e to %#!k /% the $t/((23Ro$$ den#ed he wa$ re!e#)#n' that "/!h !o!a#ne (ro" Aenr* when he $tarted h#$ re&at#on$h#% w#th h#"2 Ae andO&e were $t#&& dean' "o$t&* o/n!e$ at that %o#nt, he $a#d2 It wa$ #n "/&t#0o/n!e &ot$, to 1e $/re7the*6d 1/* (o/r ore#'ht o/n!e$ a da*2 B/t he $a#d the* d#d not 'rad/ate to 1/*#n' k#&o$ /nt#& &ater2 B&andIn $a#d he knew how "/!h Ro$$had 1een 1/*#n' (ro" I)an 1e!a/$e the 5/ant#t* he $o&d h#" deter"#ned h#$ %r#!e2Ro$$ $a#d he d#d not know that Dan#&o B&andIn had ado%ted h#" a$ a !/$to"er2 9/$t a$ he hadn6t known whereI)an 'ot h#$ !oke (ro",he d#dn6t know where Aenr* 'ot h#$2 It6$ not that he wa$n6t !/r#o/$2It wa$ 4/$t a 5/e$t#on!o!a#ne dea&er$ d#dn6t a$k ea!h other2In the !o!a#ne 1/$#ne$$, $er#o/$ dea&er$ had 'ood rea$on to !/t o/t the#r who&e$a&er and 1/* d#re!t&* (ro" the$o/r!e2 The !&o$er the* 'ot, the !hea%er and %/rer the !o!a#ne 1e!a"e2 The "ore hand$ #t %a$$ed thro/'h, the "oret#"e$ the %rod/!t 'ot $te%%ed on, or !/t, and the &ower the %ro(#t$ 1e!a"e2A&& R#!k*knewwa$that on!ehe$tarteddean'w#thAenr*, h#$!o!a#ne%r#!e$(e&& a'a#n2 6C3 Ro$$ &a/'hed2 3>#r$t $tarted o/t, I wa$ %a*#n' $o"eone to!ook #t2 B/t e)er*1od* a&wa*$ /$ed to "ake #t "ore !o"%!ated than #t wa$2 L#ke the !ooker$ ne)er wanted *o/ to&earn how to !ook #t2 So e)er*1od* k#nd o( ke%t #t ke h/$h0h/$h2 6Oh "an, *o/ 'ot to &et "e do #t2 Yo/ 'o#n6 to "e$$ #t/%263In tr/th, ro!k !o!a#ne #$ ea$* to "ake2 P/t !o!a#ne %owder #n a %an, add $o"e water and 1ak#n' $oda, and heat/nt#& #t $tart$ !ra!kn'2 Done2The re!#%e had 1een (&oat#n' aro/nd a tt&e wh#&e 1e(ore #t !a/'ht ho&d #n So/th Centra&2 In No)e"1er +,F,,Tenn*$on G/*er6$ Se&e!t Co""#ttee #n)e$t#'at#n' !o!a#ne %ro)#ded the (#r$t %/1! a#r#n' o( the #n'red#ent$ needed tot/rn %owder #nto !ra!k2 3A $a/!er, a '&a$$, a %a%er towe& and Ar" V Aa""er 1ak#n' $oda are a1o/t a&& that #$ needed,3te$t#(ed Dr2 >rankn Sher o( Wa&n/t Creek, Ca(orn#a, a Ba* Area %h*$#!#an who$e (a"#&* owned the !o/ntr*6$ &ar'e$t(ree1a$e %ara%hernaa !o"%an* at the t#"e2In +,-+ an a/thor na"ed T2 Da)#d$on %/1$hed a %a"%h&et, The Nat/ra& Pro!e$$B Ba$e0#! In$tr/!t#on$ andBak#n' Soda Re!#%e, o/t o( T/$t#n, Ca(orn#a, an Oran'e Co/nt* town a1o/t th#rt* "#&e$ ea$t o( L2A2, wh#!h !onta#ned$te%01*0$te% #n$tr/!t#on$ on howto "ake !ra!k2 Da)#d$on ha#&ed the $#"%&e %ro!ed/re a$ 3$a(e, hea&th*ande!ono"#!a&23Ro$$ $a#d he wat!hed h#$ !ooker (or a wh#&e and tho/'ht, 36What the he&&, I6" 'o#n' to tr* #t26 Be!a/$e the (#r$t%er$on that e)er tr#ed #t wa$ "e2 O&e d#dn6t tr* #t (#r$t2 I tr#ed #t (#r$t2 Then I to&d O&e, 6Yo/ !an do that $h#t too26 So we$tarted !ook#n' #t o/r$e&)e$ and we $tarted $e&n' what we !a&&ed 6read* ro!k263 Ae !r/"1&ed the ro!k /% and de)ered#t #n MG. h#t$7n/''et$ a1o/t the $#;e o( a 1a&& 1ear#n'7(#r$t #n t#n* 1#t$ o( a&/"#n/" (o#&, then &ater #n t#n* '&a$$ )#a&$2Ro$$ $"oked $o"e h#"$e&( and (o/nd the !ra)#n' (or "ore $o %ower(/& that he )owed to $ta* a$ (ar awa* (ro"the $h#t a$ %o$$#1&e2B/t, "an, what a %rod/!t2Ae $aw how h#$ !/$to"er$ rea!ted2 On!e the* tr#ed #t, the* ne)er wanted an*th#n' e&$e2 3I th#nk what "ade /$$tart$"ok#n'wa$!/r#o$#t*and(r/$trat#on2 Iknowthat#twa$n6ttheB&a!k1rother$6 or$#$ter$6 #ntent#onto$"oke!o!a#ne a$ a !areer2 It6$ 4/$t $o add#!t#n'2 It6$ ke one h#t #$ one too "an* and a "#&on h#t$ #$ not eno/'h,3 e8%&a#nedB#' Sh#%head, a Shot'/n Cr#% $#n!e he wa$ twe&)e *ear$ o&d2 3In "* o%#n#on, #t6$ the wor$t dr/' that e)er h#t the (a!e o(th#$ earth23What ha%%ened ne8t wa$ 4/$t what the $!#ent#$t$ had 1een %red#!t#n' $#n!e +,FD2 A$ 1a$e had done #n L#"a andLa Pa; e#'ht *ear$ earer, ro!k !a/$ed a $en$at#on #n So/th Centra&2 B/t #t wa$ an /nder'ro/nd $en$at#on #n#t#a&&*2A +,-: $t/d* 1* two n#)er$#t* o( So/thern Ca(orn#a $o!#a& $!#ent#$t$ %ro)#de$ $o"e o( the on&* e8#$t#n'do!/"entat#on o( !ra!k6$ %ro're$$#on #n So/th Centra& #n the ear&* +,-.$, when Ro$$ and other$ 1e'an $e&n' #t2 It #$ke read#n' the or#'#n$ o( the B&a!k Death23We2 2 2re)#ewedtheLAPDSo/thB/rea/Nar!ot#!D#)#$#ona!t#)#t*re%ort$(ro"9an/ar*o(+,-Gtothe%re$ent KA%r#& +,-:L,3 $o!#o&o'#$t$ or h#$ (#r$t dr/' de)er*, 3We went to an a%art"ent that wa$ on the $e!ond(&oor and there wa$ a door, an #ron door2 And there wa$ a '/*, *o/ know, w#th a $hot'/nB 6Who are *o/@6 We #dent#(*o/r$e&)e$, then *o/ ha)e to %a$$ another '/* w#th another "a!h#ne '/n, or $hot'/n2 And #n$#de, near the d#nner ta1&e #nthe )#n' roo", there were a1o/t (#)e '/*$, and a&& the '/*$ were there w#th a '/n at the ta1&e23When a$ked to date that en!o/nter, B&andIn wa$ /n!&ear2 3+,-G,3 he $a#d /nder oath2 3E8!/$e "e2 Sorr*2 +,-E2+,-E, I th#nk $o rea&&*2 +,-E2 E8!/$e "e, I "ake a "#$take2 +,-D, 1e!a/$e I wa$ )#n' #n Northr#d'e2 Ye$, +,-D23 Ro$$$a#d he wa$ #ntrod/!ed to B&andIn a1o/t $#8 or $e)en "onth$ a(ter he $tarted dean' w#th Aenr*, wh#!h wo/&d %/t h#$(#r$t (a!e0to0(a!e "eet#n' w#th B&andIn $o"e t#"e #n the (a&& o( +,-G or ear&* +,-E2Aenr*6$ ret#re"ent a&$o $ee"ed to #"%ro)e the 5/at* o( the !o!a#ne Ro$$ wa$ 'ett#n'2 When he took #t to thedea&er$ who were h#$ !/$to"er$, the* ra)ed a1o/t #t2 3The* $a#d that the $t/(( wa$ not !/t2 It wa$ %/re23 Ro$$ had(#na&&* rea!hed the $o/r!e, the we&&$%r#n' (ro" wh#!h %/re, /n!/t !o!a#ne (&owed #n a1/ndan!e2 A#$ $treet0dean' da*$were o)er2 Now, he wa$ the "an to $ee2And tr/e to (or", he 1e'an to #nno)ate2 I( there wa$ a ne#'h1orhood where the dea&er$ were not %/$h#n' h#$$/%%&*, Ro$$ $a#d, he wo/&d (#nd the hood6$ to% dea&er and %a* h#" a (r#end&* )#$#t, 1r#n'#n' w#th h#" a !o/%&e k#&o$ o(Dan#&o6$ (#ne$t, wh#!h he wo/&d '#)e the r#)a& dea&er (ree a$ a "ea$/re o( h#$ re$%e!t2 Tr* #t o/t and $ee what *o/ th#nk,he wo/&d te&& the"2 And then Ro$$ wo/&d te&& the" the %r#!e, and he wo/&d ha)e another !/$to"er2Other t#"e$, he wo/&d #n)#te dea&er$ to $"oke %art#e$, where a&& the !ra!k the* wanted wo/&d 1e a)a#&a1&e onthe ho/$e2 There wa$ %&ent* "ore where that !a"e (ro", the* wo/&d 1e to&d2 And the %r#!e2 2 2Ro$$ $a#d h#$ (#r$t dea& w#th B&andIn wa$ (or 3aro/nd e#'ht o/n!e$23 B&andIn, howe)er, $a#d #t wa$ "/!h "orethan that, at &ea$t a k#&o, and that the#r 1/$#ne$$ 'rew 'eo"etr#!a&&* (ro" there2 3In tho$e t#"e$, there were one, two,three, (o/r, (#)e, $#8, "a*1e $e)en a da*,3 he $a#d2 3E)er* da*23At $e)en k#&o$ a da*, Ro$$ wa$ "o)#n' "ore than G.. k#&o$ o( !o!a#ne e)er* $#n'&e "onth2 That "eant he wa$%/"%#n' o/t aro/nd +H:,... )#a&$ o( !ra!k a da*7: "#&on ro!k$ a "onth23There #$ no do/1t that R#!k* Ro$$ !reated a "a$$#)e d#$tr#1/t#on network that %o/red enor"o/$ a"o/nt$ o(!ra!k #nto Lo$ An'e&e$, and e&$ewhere, d/r#n' the "#d0+,-.$,3 the 9/$t#!e De%art"ent6$ In$%e!tor Genera& !on!&/ded#n +,,-, !a&n' #t a 3h/'e dr/' e"%#re233I had a$ "an* a$ (#)e !ookho/$e$2 Be!a/$e that wa$ o/r harde$t th#n', to !ook2 On!e *o/ !ooked #t, #t wa$$o&d,3 Ro$$ $a#d2 Co"%ton !ra!k dea&er Lero* 3Ch#!o3 Brown to&d o( )#$#t#n' one o( Ro$$6$ 3!ook0ho/$e$,3 and h#$de$!r#%t#on "at!hed the one Ro$$ 'a)e2 A ho/$e #n a !hea% ne#'h1orhood wo/&d 1e %/r!ha$ed 1* a (ront "an and'/tted2 The w#ndow$ wo/&d 1e 1arred and $tee& door$ #n$ta&&ed2 Lar'e, re$ta/rant0$#;e 'a$ ran'e$ and 1#' a&/"#n/"%ot$ wo/&d 1e 1ro/'ht #n at n#'ht and $et /%2 And then the !ooker$ went to work2 The* wo/&d work #n $h#(t$, arr#)#n'and de%art#n' a$ #( the* )ed #n the ho/$e2 The on&* )#$#tor$ wo/&d 1e the !o/r#er$, one to dro% o(( the %owder and theother to %#!k /% the !ra!k23The* were $t#rr#n' the$e 1#' %ot$ w#th tho$e th#n'$ *o/ /$e #n !anoe$,3 Brown $a#d w#th wonder2 3Yo/ know,oar$233Work#n' aro/nd the !&o!k, tak#n' the a'e0o&d a8#o"$ o( 'ood 1/$#ne$$ to o"#no/$ e8tre"e$, KRo$$Ltran$(or"ed a !/r1$#de o%erat#on at -Fth and >#'/eroa #nto the Wa&0DN, %er%et/ated1*Ber"Ode; and h#$ !&o$e$t a$$o!#ate$, death $5/ad &eader R#!ardo La/ and "#&ona#re &and 1aron Ar#$t#de$ San!he;2 Atone%o#nt, do;en$o("#d&e)e& >DN(#e&d!o""ander$%et#t#onedtoha)eBer"Ode;(#red(or$tean'"one*and$5/ander#n' $/%%e$2 So"e CIA (#e&d o((#!er$ were %/$h#n' (or h#$ re"o)a& on the $a"e 'ro/nd$2B/t Ber"Ode; had (r#end$ at CIA head5/arter$ at Lan'&e*,and a(ter he !onta!ted the" a1o/t the #n!#%#ent"/t#n*, the !o"%&a#ner$ were the one$ 1ooted o/t o( the >DN2 The CIA 1ra$$ (e&t the* !o/&dn6t d/"% 3the o1ed#enta$$et who6d he&%ed !on$tr/!t the#r ent#re %ro4e!t,3 D#&&on wrote2St#&&, !on're$$#ona& d#$!o"(ort o)er the CIA6$ ar"* wa$ 'row#n'2 In DN needed%eo%&e, not "one*, 1e!a/$etheCIAwa$%ro)#d#n'"one*,3he$a#dBer"Ode;to&dthe"2 B/t B&andIn6$"entor,Norw#n BI, B&andIn6$a$$o!#ate9a!#ntoTorre$to&da'ent$that B&andIn!ont#n/edre!e#)#n'!o!a#ne(ro"ran!#$!o7area e!ono"#!$ %ro(e$$or2 3Ae wa$ %rote!ted 1* e)er*one /nder the $/n23That !on!&/$#onhad1eenad#((#!/&t and%a#n(/& one(orA#n$worthtorea!h2A$ta/n!h!on$er)at#)eandRe%/1!an %art* $ta&wart, the ta&&, %atr#!#an A#n$worth had 1ee)ed #n the Contra$, and threw h#"$e&( who&ehearted&*#nto the#r !a/$e $tart#n' #n &ate +,-E, when he 1e!a"e #n)o&)ed #n e((ort$ to a$$#$t N#!ara'/an re(/'ee$ who had $ett&ed#n San >ran!#$!o a(ter (&ee#n' the Sand#n#$ta$2 The N#!ara'/an$, he $a#d, "o$t o( who" had 1een So"o;a $/%%orter$,had d#((#!/&t* 'ett#n' he&% (ro" the era& !h/r!he$ #n San >ran!#$!o, wh#!h A#n$worth !&a#"ed were #ntere$ted on&* #na$$#$t#n' re(/'ee$ (ro" r#'ht0w#n' Centra& A"er#!an d#!tator$h#%$2 3A&& o( a $/dden, 1an', we6)e 'ot a %ro1&e" #n o/r1a!k*ard,andno1od*wanted to he&% the",3 A#n$worth re!a&&ed23And $o,I "et $o"eo( theN#!ara'/an$ and we$tarted he&%#n'2 Gett#n' !&oth#n' donat#on$ and $t/(( ke that23In >e1r/ar* +,-D, A#n$worth $a#d, he $aw an anno/n!e"ent #n the San >ran!#$!o Chron#!&e a1o/t a $e"#nar attheS#r >ran!#$DrakeAote& !on!ern#n'Centra&A"er#!aandtheContra$2 Aeattendedand"et 9/oBon#&&a, aN#!ara'/anwhowa$the&o!a& !oord#nator o( the>DN2 The"en!hatted1r#e(&*ande8!han'ed%honen/"1er$2=A!!ord#n' to one %/1$hed $o/r!e, Norw#n ran!#$!o, to "eet w#th $o"e o( the N#!ara'/an$ who had he&%ed %/t the $e"#nar to'ether2 A#n$worth (o/nd a %&ea$ant'ro/%o( "#dd&e0!&a$$h/$1and$andw#)e$, "an*o( the"re!ent #""#'rant$2 One, he$a#d, had1een Ana$ta$#oSo"o;a6$ dent#$t2 The#r &eader wa$ a 4o)#a& %har"a!e/t#!a& $a&e$"an, Don S#n#!!o, known to other$ #n the trade a$ 3ran!#$!o6$new$%a%er$, and S#n#!!o read the" a)#d&*, 1/t not ha%%#&*2 Ae 1ee)ed the %re$$ wa$ !heer&ead#n' (or the Sand#n#$ta$,andhe(#redo(( do;en$&etter$tothenew$%a%er$, !h#d#n'the"(orthe#r 3$&ant23ran!#$!o (re5/ent&*, A#n$worth and S#n#!!o $a#d, and wo/&d /$/a&&* $ta* atthe#r ho"e$ wh#&e #n the !#t* attend#n' to >DN 1/$#ne$$2 Wh#&e (#nd#n' Ca&ero %er$ona1&e and $"ooth, A#n$worth wa$d#$"a*ed 1* the &a!k o( %ot#!a& $o%h#$t#!at#on d#$%&a*ed 1* the >DN $/%%ort 'ro/% S#n#!!o had a$$e"1&ed at Ca&ero6$re5/e$t2 The N#!ara'/an$ were ea'er and !o""#tted to the Contra !a/$e, A#n$worth re!a&&ed, 1/t there wa$n6t a $o/&a"on' the" who knew an*th#n' a1o/t work#n' the A"er#!an %ot#!a& $*$te"2 3That tt&e 'ro/% that /$ed to "eet ath#$ ho/$e2 2 2wo/&d ha)e done noth#n' #( I hadn6t !o"e o)er and $a#d, 6Look, I6&& $et the$e th#n'$ /%26 A&& S#n#!!o and h#$(r#end$ were th#nk#n' o( do#n' wa$ wr#t#n' a (ew &etter$ to the ed#tor2The* had no !onne!t#on$ what$oe)er2 And Iha%%ened to wa&k #n and I wa$ a we&&0!onne!ted '/*23A#n$worth 'ent&* $/''e$ted to the N#!ara'/an$ that there were other wa*$ o( draw#n' attent#on to the#r !a/$e2Wh* not $%on$or a $%eak#n' to/r (or $o"e Contra o((#!#a&$, $/!h a$ Ado&(o Ca&ero@ Br#n' h#" to town, $how h#"aro/nd, 'et $o"e %re$$ !o)era'e2 S#n#!!o, who wa$ SACA6$ %re$#dent, $a#d he and h#$ (r#end$ were 3)er* #"%re$$ed3w#th A#n$worth6$ #dea$ and h#$ %ot#!a& !onne!t#on$ and )oted to "ake h#" a d#re!tor o( the#r new 'ro/%2 3A$ (ar a$ Iknew, he wa$ %re$/"a1&* )er* a!t#)e #n Re%/1!an %ot#!$2 Ae knew $enator$, he knew re%re$entat#)e$, 1oth (edera&and #n Sa!ra"ento2 Ae knew the !ha#r"an o( the %art*2 Ae $ee"ed to 1e #n(&/ent#a& and wa$ a!t#)e #nternat#ona&&* #nant#0Co""/n#$t e((ort$,3 S#n#!!o $a#d2 A#n$worth, he $a#d, 1e'an o%en#n' door$ a&& a!ro$$ San >ran!#$!o2 3Ae wa$ theone who a%%eared to 1e a1&e to 'et /$ the$e 1ook#n'$ at %&a!e$ ke the O&*"%#! C&/1, the Co""onwea&th C&/12 Noneo( /$ 1e&on'ed to tho$e k#nd o( %&a!e$2 B/t he e#ther d#d or knew %eo%&e that d#d2 Ae wa$ a1&e to de)ote h#$ (/&&0t#"eattent#on to the 'ro/%2 #$her"an6$ Whar(2Whenthe1#&& !a"e,A#n$worth $a#d,a$"a&&neat&*dre$$ed "an hehad notnot#!ed 1e(ore !a&&ed the wa#ter o)er and %#!ked /% the ta1 (or the ent#re %art*2 A#n$worth &eaned o)er and a$ked aN#!ara'/an (r#end who &or#da, 9a!k Terre&&, $a#d ran!#$!an who"S#n#!!o $a#d wa$3$o"e k#nd o(a%r#e$t23 Tho/'h he $o"et#"e$%a$$ed h#"$e&(o((a$a Ro"anCatho! %r#e$t, Down' wa$ an orda#ned "e"1er o( a t#n* $%nter !h/r!h !a&&ed the North A"er#!an O&d Ro"anCatho! Ch/r!h o( the tre!ht S/!!e$$#on, a !h/r!h who$e &e'#t#"a!* #$ a "atter o( $o"e de1ate2 Wh#&e work#n' w#thSACA and the Contra$, Down' a%%eared 1e(ore Con're$$ #n +,-: $%ort#n' a !&er#!a& !o&&ar and #dent#(*#n' h#"$e&(a$ a Catho! %r#e$t, to te$t#(* a$ a %/r%orted w#tne$$ to Sand#n#$ta atro!#t#e$2 A#$ a%%earan!e had 1een arran'ed 1* theState De%art"ent6$ O((#!e o( P/1! D#%&o"a!* (or Lat#n A"er#!a, &ater de$!r#1ed 1* !on're$$#ona& #n)e$t#'ator$ a$ an#&&e'a& CIA0r/n do"e$t#! %ro%a'anda "#&&23Sen#or CIA o((#!#a&$ w#th 1a!k'ro/nd$ #n !o)ert o%erat#on$, a$ we&& a$ "#tar* #nte&'en!e and %$*!ho&o'#!a&o%erat#on$ $%e!#a$t$(ro" the De%art"ent o( De(en$e, weredee%&*#n)o&)ed #n e$ta1$h#n' and%art#!#%at#n' #n ado"e$t#! %ot#!a& and %ro%a'anda o%erat#on r/n thro/'h an o1$!/re 1/rea/ #n the De%art"ent o( State,3 a +,,G Ao/$e!o""#ttee$ta((re%ort !on!&/ded2 3A&"o$t a&& o( the$ea!t#)#t#e$wereh#dden(ro"%/1!)#ewand"an*o( the#nd#)#d/a&$ #n)o&)ed were ne)er 5/e$t#oned or #nter)#ewed 1* the IranXContra !o""#ttee$23Thro/'hthat o((#!e, theCIAandtheNat#ona& Se!/r#t*Co/n!#& en'a'ed#n3ado"e$t#!, !o)ert o%erat#onde$#'ned to &o11* the Con're$$, "an#%/&ate the "ed#a and #n(&/en!e do"e$t#! %/1! o%#n#on,3 the re%ort $a#d, e!ho#n'a +,-F #n)e$t#'at#on 1* the Co"%tro&&er Genera& o( the n#ted State$, wh#!h $a#d the State De%art"ent had en'a'ed #n3%roh#1#ted, !o)ert %ro%a'anda a!t#)#t#e$23Down' &ater ad"#tted re!e#)#n' a1o/t MFE,... #n !a$h and tra)e&er$ !he!k$ (ro" O)er North, CIA a'entAdo&(o Ca&ero and other "e"1er$ o( North6$ o%erat#on 1etween +,-H and +,-F 3to a((e!t %/1! o%#n#on (a)ora1&*toward the Rea'an %o$#t#on #n$#de, re'ard#n' Centra& A"er#!a23 Down' te$t#(#ed that the "one* went to a non0%ro(#tor'an#;at#on he6d $et /% #n San >ran!#$!o !a&&ed the Lat#n A"er#!a Strate'#! St/d#e$ In$t#t/te =LASSI?2 In add#t#on toDown', LASSI e"%&o*eda re!ent&*ret#redCIAo((#!er w#the8ten$#)e Lat#nA"er#!ane8%er#en!e, G2 9a"e$Q/e$ada, a N#!ara'/an who )ed #n the San >ran!#$!o area2 3I "et KQ/e$adaL when I $%oke 1e(ore the ret#red 'ro/% o(#nte&'en!e o((#!er$ a (ew *ear$ 1a!k,3 Down' te$t#(#ed #n +,-F2Q/e$ada !on(#r"ed that he worked w#th Down' 1/t $a#d he d#d $o a$ %r#)ate !#t#;en, not (or the CIA2 3I knowno1od* th#nk$ a CIA a'ent e)er ret#re$, 1/t I rea&&* d#d ret#re,3 he $a#d #n an #nter)#ew, w#th a &a/'h2 Q/e$ada a&$o "etNorw#n DN "eet#n', and #n$tant&*, he $a#d, h#$ antennae went /%2 3I (o/nd o/twhat ran!#$!o2CIA head5/arter$ ordered #t$ do"e$t#! a'ent$ to 'et "ore #n(or"at#on a1o/t the /%!o"#n' "eet#n' #n Co$taR#!a, and a (ew da*$ &ater another !a1&e arr#)ed at Lan'&e* w#th add#t#ona& deta#&$2 3The attendee$ at the "eet#n' wo/&d#n!&/de re%re$entat#)e$ (ro" the >DN and DN, and $e)era& /n#dent#(#ed 2S2 !#t#;en$,3 the CIA !a1&e re%orted2 It3#dent#(#ed Renato Pena a$ one o( (o/r %er$on$7a&on' w#th three /n#dent#(#ed 2S2 !#t#;en$7who wo/&d re%re$ent the>DN at the Co$ta R#!a "eet#n'23RenatoPenaCa1rerawa$ oneo( Norw#nran!#$!odr/'dea&er$ anda(r#endo( Denn#$A#n$worth2 Pena wa$ dat#n' Dan#&o B&andIn6$ $#$ter, Le*$&a, and wa$ a to% o((#!#a& #n the San >ran!#$!o >DN2 Pena to&dCIA #n)e$t#'ator$ that he "et DN "eet#n' and $er)ed a$ an o((#!#a& re%re$entat#)e o( the >DN6$%ot#!a& w#n' #n northern Ca(orn#a (ro" +,-G /nt#& "#d0+,-D2 A(ter that, he $a#d, he 3wa$ a%%o#nted to 1e the "#tar*re%re$entat#)eo( the>DN #nSan >ran!#$!o, #n%art 1e!a/$e o( Norw#nee& we"/$t tr*to!on(#r" or re(/te the #n(or"at#on #( %o$$#1&e23 Lan'&e* wanted to know #( Contra &eader$ had 3$!hed/&ed an* "eet#n'#n the ne8t (ew week$@ I( $o, what #n(or"at#on do *o/ ha)e re'ard#n' the attendee$@3The re$%on$e wa$ %ro1a1&* not what CIA head5/arter$ wanted to hear2 3Se)era& Contra o((#!#a&$ had re!ent&*'one to the n#ted State$ (or a $er#e$ o( "eet#n'$, #n!&/d#n' a "eet#n' w#th Contra $/%%orter$ #n San >ran!#$!o,3 theCentra& A"er#!an CIA $tat#on re%orted 1a!k2 =It wa$ d/r#n' O!to1er +,-G that >DN &eader$ "et w#th ran!#$!o #n an e((ort to $et /% &o!a& Contra $/%%ort 'ro/%$ #n tho$e !#t#e$2?TheCIAIn$%e!torGenera&6$re%ort #$$#&ent a1o/t what, #(an*th#n', thea'en!*d#dne8t2 Penato&dCIA#n$%e!tor$ that the /nna"ed 2S2 re'#o/$ or'an#;at#on "ent#oned #n the CIA !a1&e$ 3wa$ an >DN %ot#!a& a&&* that%ro)#dedon&*h/"an#tar#ana#dtoN#!ara'/anre(/'ee$ and&o'#$t#!a& $/%%ort (or Contra0re&atedra&e$, $/!ha$%r#nt#n' $er)#!e$ and %orta1&e $ta'e$23When RenatoPenaand DN3ha$1e!o"e"ore#n)o&)ed #n $e&n' ar"$ and !o!a#ne (or %er$ona& 'a#n than #n a "#tar* e((ort to o)erthrow the !/rrent N#!ara'/anSand#n#$ta 'o)ern"ent23 Ae to&d the a'ent$ a1o/t Norw#n BI and the* te&& "e the* ha)e no #ntere$t #n the !a$e2 Then I !a&& Wa&$h6$ %eo%&e /%and the* $ent a !o/%&e >BI '/*$ o/t to ta&k to "e and the* ha)e no #ntere$t #n #t2 I !o/&dn6t (#nd an*one who wa$#ntere$ted #n th#$2 And I "ade a &e'#t#"ate e((ort2 And %eo%&e were ke, 6Den, &ea)e th#$ a&one2 9/$t &ea)e #t a&one,63A#n$worth re"e"1ered2 3I tho/'ht I wa$ %art o( the e$ta1$h"ent2 And a&& o( a $/dden I wa$ a &e%er23 >r#'htened andheart$#!k, A#n$worth (&ed Ca(orn#a (or the Ea$t Coa$t, where he went #nto $e"#$e!&/$#on2ran!#$!o2 I ha)e ne)er h#dden2 There6$ ne)er 1een a warrant (or "* arre$t2 I ha)e not !han'ed %a$$%ort$2 That Id#re!ted a dr/' tra((#!k#n' or'an#;at#on #$ tota&&* (a&$e23So"e o( DN &eader Ado&(o Ca&ero #n 9an/ar* +,-: that "a*1e #t wa$ t#"e to $tart th#nk#n'a1o/t 3!/tt#n' 1oth o/r &o$$e$ and the#r$23 The ad"#n#$trat#on6$ %re$t#'e wa$ r#d#n' on the Contra$J Rea'an had 'one $o(ar d/r#n' a $%ee!h a$ to !o"%are the" to the (o/nd#n' (ather$ o( the A"er#!an Re)o&/t#on2 The >DN6$ on&* ra* o(ho%e wa$ to w#thdraw (ro" 1att&e and e &ow /nt#& the $%r#n', when Con're$$ a'reed to &et the ad"#n#$trat#on !o"e1a!k and "ake one "ore %#t!h (or "one*2Aad Norw#n DN d#re!tor$ Ado&(o Ca&ero, Enr#5/e Ber"Ode;, Ed'ar Cha"orro, and >rank Arana7there$/&tant $!anda& wo/&d ke&* ha)e w#%ed o/t what tt&e $/%%ort the Contra$ had &e(t #n Wa$h#n'ton2 It wo/&d ha)e a&$oa'a#n tarred the CIA, wh#!h wa$ reen' (ro" the e8%o$/re o)er the har1or "#n#n'$ and a$$a$$#nat#on "an/a&$2 E)en #(noth#n' !o/&d ha)e 1een %ro)en !on!&/$#)e&* a1o/t the CIA6$ #n)o&)e"ent #n the Contra dr/' r#n', the a'en!* wa$$/%%o$ed to 1e the nat#on6$ %r#"ar* #nte&'en!e0'ather#n' ar"7and #t$ re$%on$#1#t#e$ $%e!#(#!a&&* #n!&/ded"on#tor#n' the #nternat#ona& nar!ot#!$ trade2 A %&ea o( #'noran!e a1o/t do%e dean' 1* #t$ own %ara"#tar* (or!e$wo/&d ha)e &ooked a$ 1ad a$ %roo( o( !o"%!#t*2Andthat wa$a$$/"#n'DN6$ &on' #n)o&)e"ent w#th dr/' "er!hant$, 1/t he !o/&d ha)e&ed the %o!e and the %re$$ to Dan#&o B&andIn6$ 1oo"#n' enter%r#$e #n So/th Centra& Lo$ An'e&e$2And what a (#ne %#!t/re that wo/&d ha)e %re$ented2B&andIn wa$ d/"%#n' a $"a&& "o/nta#n o( !o!a#ne #nto L2A26$ 1&a!k ne#'h1orhood$ e)er* week, a$ we&& a$%ro)#d#n' So/th Centra&6$ !ra!k dea&er$ w#th a$$a/&t r#(&e$, $/1"a!h#ne '/n$, and $o%h#$t#!ated te&e!o""/n#!at#on$ andea)e$dro%%#n' 'ear2B&andIn wa$ ha)#n' the t#"e o( h#$ (e2 A$ (ar a$ he and R#!k* Ro$$ were !on!erned, +,-D had 1een a terr#(#!*ear2 And +,-: wa$ on&* 'o#n' to 1e 1etter2 >or one th#n', B&andIn wa$ now an o((#!#a& '/e$t o( the 2S2 'o)ern"ent2The State De%art"ent, a(ter two earer re4e!t#on$, had $/dden&* !han'ed #t$ "#nd #n +,-D and de!#ded to a%%ro)e h#$a%%!at#on (or %ot#!a& a$*&/"2 Now he !o/&d $ta* #n A"er#!a #nde(#n#te&* and no &on'er had to worr* a1o/t 1e#n'$/""ar#&*to$$edo/t o( the!o/ntr*2 Aadthat (a!t 1een"ade%/1!, a&& the%ro%a'and#$t$and$%#ndo!tor$#nWa$h#n'tonwo/&dha)e1eenhard%re$$edtoe8%&a#nwh*the39/$t Sa*No3ad"#n#$trat#onhada&&owedSo/thCentra&6$ 1#''e$t !o!a#ne tra((#!ker to !a&& the n#ted State$ h#$ ho"e2Tho/'h the ad"#n#$trat#on !o/&d ha)e !&a#"ed #'noran!e, there were ea$#&* o1ta#na1&e re!ord$ %ro)#n' that theDEA wa$ (/&&* aware o( what B&andIn wa$ do#n'2 >/rther, #t #$ State De%art"ent %o!* to !he!k w#th the DEA 1e(orea%%ro)#n' a%%!at#on$ (or %ot#!a& a$*&/"2Re!ord$ $howed the dr/' a'en!* had o%ened a NADDIS (#&e on B&andIn on /r#&&o6$ $tor* a&$o %ro"%ted the (#r$t $!#ent#(#! &ook at the ear&* L2A2 !ra!k "arket, done 1* SC $o!#o&o'#$t$or"er a'ent S"#th !&a#"ed that L#$ter wa$ ne)er %ro$e!/ted 1e!a/$e he t/rned o/t to 1e 3(/&& o( hot a#r3 andwa$ 3deter"#ned to 1e #n!a%a1&e o( %rod/!#n' the e5/#%"ent wh#!h he wa$ atte"%t#n' to $e&& to the KGB2 L#$ter6$ &a!ko( 6%re$ent !a%a1#t*6 to !o""#t the !r#"e "ade %ro$e!/t#on #"%ra!t#!a&23 B/t S"#th a!know&ed'ed that 3the A$$#$tant2S2 Attorne* who hand&ed the !a$e (e&t, howe)er, that L#$ter6$ a!t#)#t#e$ were $er#o/$ eno/'h to warrant a 'rand 4/r*hear#n'23L#$ter ad"#tted to L2A2 %o!e that he had 1een !a&&ed 1e(ore the 'rand 4/r* and 5/e$t#oned a1o/t h#$ a!t#)#t#e$2When the %o!e a$ked h#" a1o/t the nat/re o( the e5/#%"ent #n)o&)ed, he $a#d, 3I !an6t 'et #nto that $t/(( w#th *o/'/*$23L#$ter wa$ ne)er#nd#!ted andto&d %o!ehewa$/n!&eara$ tothe o/t!o"e o(the 'rand4/r*#n)e$t#'at#on23That6$ a&& !&a$$#(#ed, #n!#denta&&*,3 L#$ter to&d the"2When the dete!t#)e$ a$ked h#" wh* the #n(or"at#on wo/&d 1e!&a$$#(#ed, L#$ter $a#d, 3I !an6t an$wer that (or *o/23I( the L2A2 dete!t#)e$ were a$ $ke%t#!a& o( L#$ter6$ !&oak0and0da''er work a$ e80>BI a'ent S"#th and (or"er!h#e( P/r!e&& $ee"ed to 1e, the* "/$t ha)e 'otten 5/#te a 4o&t when the* !a&&ed the >BI to a$k (or a !o%* o( the#r o&d(#&e$ on the L#$ter #n)e$t#'at#on2 3S%e!#a& A'ent T#" Be;#!k2 2 2$tated that the >BI re%ort$ and the tran$!r#%t$ o( L#$ter6$'rand 4/r* te$t#"on* were %rote!ted 1* the Nat#ona& Se!/r#t* A!t,3 Dete!t#)e A8e& Ander$on wrote on No)e"1er G.,+,,H2 3At Be;#!k6$ $/''e$t#on I !a&&ed 9oe& Le)#n, !h#e( o( the Cr#"#na& D#)#$#on o( the San >ran!#$!o o((#!e o( then#ted State$ Attorne*2 a#r"ont Aote& #n San 9o$e, Ca(orn#a2 I)an wa$ /n#ntere$ted #n L#$ter6$ $!ra"1&er$, the note$ $a#d, 1/ta$ked L#$ter to %ro!/re $o"e 3Varo n#'ht )#$#on e5/#%"ent23 The note$ a&$o to&d o( L#$ter )#$#t#n' the R/$$#an e"1a$$*#n Wa$h#n'ton, D2C2A(ter 4ott#n' down a de$!r#%t#on o( the A%r#& +,-: )#$#t (ro" >BI a'ent$ S"#th and Cook, L#$ter wrote down a$t o( $e)en na"e$2 3L#$ter $a#d he 'a)e the a1o)e na"e$ to the >BI a'ent$ R#!h S"#th and Da)e Cook,3 the %o!edete!t#)e$ wrote #n the#r +,,H re%ort2 3Ae $a#d the na"e$ 6!a"e /% #n h#$ 1/$#ne$$6 (or $o"e rea$on and he wanted toha)e the na"e$ #n wr#t#n' when he went 1e(ore the 'rand 4/r*2 2 22 L#$ter $a#d the %eo%&e $ted were on&* 61/$#ne$$%eo%&e263 The&a$ttwona"e$onthe$t wereRo1ertoD6A/1/#$$on, ther#'ht0w#n'Sa&)adorandeath$5/ad&eaderwho"theCIA&atera!know&ed'edto1eadr/'andwea%on$tra((#!ker, andRa*Prende$, the(or"erheado(theSa&)adoran Chr#$t#an De"o!rat#! %art*, wh#!h re!e#)ed $/1$tant#a& CIA (#nan!#a& a$$#$tan!e d/r#n' the +,-.$2The dete!t#)e$ d#dn6t a$k wh* L#$ter wo/&d 1e ha)#n' 1/$#ne$$ dean'$ w#th CIA0nked Sa&)adoran%ot#!#an$, or what the nat/re o( that 1/$#ne$$ wa$2B/t the "o$t #ntr#'/#n' na"e on L#$ter6$ $t wa$ at the )er* to% o( #tB B#&& Ne&$on2 3L#$ter $a#d that B#&& Ne&$onwa$ an A2S2I2S2 "e"1er, wh#!h he $a#d $tand$ (or the A"er#!an So!#et* o( Ind/$tr#a& Se!/r#t*2 L#$ter $a#d that Ne&$onwa$ the $e!/r#t* d#re!tor (or the >&e/r K$#!L Cor%orat#on,3 the dete!t#)e$6 re%ort $a#d2W#&a" Ear& Ne&$on wa$ (ar "ore than that, 1/t L#$ter d#dn6t e&a1orate, and the dete!t#)e$ d#dn6t %/$h h#"2 Aadthe* done $o, the* "#'ht ha)e 'otten a 1etter #dea a1o/t wh* the >BI6$ (#&e$ on L#$ter wo/&d $t#&& 1e !&a$$#(#ed e&e)en*ear$ &ater2Be(ore 1e!o"#n' >&/or Cor%orat#on6$ )#!e %re$#dent (or $e!/r#t* and ad"#n#$trat#on, B#&& Ne&$on had 1een theCIA6$ de%/t* d#re!tor o( o%erat#on$7the head $%ook7the "an #n !har'e o( a&& CIA !o)ert o%erat#on$ aro/nd the wor&d(ro" +,FE to +,FH2 A >&/or $%oke$wo"an #n#t#a&&* den#ed to 4o/rna$t N#!k S!ho/ that Ne&$on had 1een a((#ated w#th>&/or /nt#& S!ho/ !on(ronted her w#th do!/"entar* e)#den!e o( h#$ e"%&o*"ent there2On&* then d#d $he ad"#t #t,$a*#n' Ne&$on had worked at >&/or (ro" +,FF to +,-:2A(or"er CIAo((#!er, 9ohnVandewerker, !on(#r"edtoS!ho/that Ne&$onandL#$ter knewea!hother2A%%arent&*, when L#$ter wa$ r/nn#n' o/t to >&/or6$ head5/arter$ #n +,-G and +,-E, #t wa$ B#&& Ne&$on w#th who" hewa$ "eet#n'73Ron6$ 1#' CIA !onta!t,3 a$ L#$ter6$ (or"er o((#!e d#re!tor, Chr#$ DN(o/nder R#!ardo La/on!ehe&d!o/rt a$wardenand!h#e(tort/rer7hadada%ted#t$e&(toh#"2 DN!o""ander Ado&(oCa&ero2 Orhewo/&d!a$/a&&*dro%a1o"10$he&&7ke"ent#on#n'Rona&dL#$ter6$ na"e /n1#dden7to $ee how #t re$onated, do#n' h#$ own $o/nd#n'$ to te$t wh#!h %ath$ the 4o/rna$t$ had taken1e(ore arr#)#n' #n h#$ %re$en!e2Ae &a/'hed heart#&* on&* on!e d/r#n' the a(ternoon, when he wa$ read#n' an #nter)#ew 2S2 a/thor#t#e$ haddone w#th h#$ o&d a$$o!#ate$, 9a!#nto and Ed'ar Torre$, who &ater 1e!a"e #n(or"ant$ (or a )ar#et* o( %o!e a'en!#e$2 InBI, the DEA, the IRS, and the LAPD $at the Tree$ down #n the 2S2 attorne*6$ o((#!e #n Lo$ An'e&e$and 'r#&&ed the" a1o/t #(t* tho/$and k#&o$@ >#(t*0(#)e ton$ o( !o!a#ne@3Ea$#&*,3 he $a#d2 And not w#tho/t a tt&e %r#de2ernande;, wa$ $o hea)#&* #n)o&)ed w#th #&&e'a& Contra o%erat#on$ that he wo/&d 1e(#red and #nd#!ted (or h#$ %art#!#%at#on2B/t there are $e)era& rea$on$ to do/1t a'ent Gon;a&e;6$ $t#rr#n' a!!o/nt o( red A#t; wrote #n +,,-2 3The %o!*"aker$, one ana&*$t a$$ert$, rea&&* wanted to 6$t#!k #t to6theSand#n#$ta$ on th#$ $/14e!t233A&& o( theCentra&A"er#!anStat#on$were$eek#n'#n(or"at#onthat wo/&dnktheSand#n#$ta$ todr/'tra((#!k#n',3 a to% CIA o((#!#a& to&d the In$%e!tor Genera&2 3The 'oa& wa$ to d#"#n#$h the #"a'e o( the Sand#n#$ta$23OneCentra& A"er#!an Stat#onCh#e( re"e"1ered wat!h#n' Lan'&e*6$ odd non0rea!t#on tothe (#r$twa)eo(Contra dr/' tra((#!k#n' re%ort$, wh#!h he $a#d !a"e 3(a#r&* ear&*3 #nto h#$ a$$#'n"ent2 Ae 5/#!k&* reaed wh#!h $#deo( the dr/' war the CIA wa$ on #n Centra& A"er#!a2What theCIAd#dord#dn6t doa1o/t dr/'$3ha$to1e!on$#dered#nthe!onte8t o(DCIW#&a"Ca$e*6$o)err#d#n'%ot#!a& o14e!t#)e,3the$tat#on!h#e(#n$#$ted2TheCIA!ont#n'ent r/nn#n'theContra%ro4e!t 3hadoneo)err#d#n' %r#or#t*B to o/$t the Sand#n#$ta 'o)ern"ent23Con$e5/ent&*, theCIA3a$$#'neda&ow%r#or#t*to!o&&e!t#n'#nte&'en!e!on!ern#n'theContra$6 a&&e'ed#n)o&)e"ent #n nar!ot#!$ tra((#!k#n'2 2 2A'en!* ana&*$t$ had on&* a $"a&& n/"1er o( re%ort$ on wh#!h to 1a$e the#rana&*$#$23 E)en then, A#t; (o/nd, on&* a %r#)#&e'ed (ew #n$#de the A'en!* were a&&owed to $e! the", 1e!a/$e the* were!&a$$#(#ed a$ 3Sen$#t#)e BI head5/arter$ #n Wa$h#n'ton, San >ran!#$!o >BI a'ent Dona&d Aa&e wroteB 3It 1e!a"e a%%arent to the >BIthat Norw#n BI, S>, that Norw#nront wa$ re%ortedto CIA o((#!#a&$23Co$ta R#!an &aw en(or!e"ent o((#!#a&$ $a#d #n #nter)#ew$ that the !ont#n'ent o( DEA a'ent$ work#n' (ro" the2S2 E"1a$$*#nSan9o$e$howedtt&e#ntere$t #nhe&%#n'the"%ro1ere%ort$o( Contradr/'tra((#!k#n'2 9or'eCha)arr#a, a (or"er %ro$e!/tor who #n)e$t#'ated $e)era& $/!h !a$e$ #n the +,-.$ (or the Co$ta R#!an OI9, $a#d he wa$!on)#n!ed the DEA 3knew a1o/t the Contra$ and dr/'$2 A&& the$e ('ht$ and %#&ot$ that were (&*#n' #n and o/t w#thdr/'$ !o/&d not ha)e 1een #'nored 1* the DEA2 The* were &ook#n' #n the other d#re!t#on23There #$ $o"e e)#den!e to $/1$tant#ate that a!!/$at#on2 D/r#n' a +,-F Senate $/1!o""#ttee hear#n', Senator9ohnKerr*o( BI and the 2S2 C/$to"$Ser)#!e $#n!e +,-G, tho$e a'en!#e$ a%%arent&* ne)er 1othered to #n(or" the Co$ta R#!an$ that the* had a "a4or dea&er#n the#r "#d$t2 A!!ord#n' to the Co$ta R#!an %a%er La Na!#on, the OI9 a'ent$ had no #dea who Pere#ra wa$ the da* he%/t #n h#$ /ne8%e!ted '/e$t a%%earan!e at Tro#&o San!he;6$ ho/$e2 On!e the* "ade h#$ a!5/a#ntan!e, howe)er, the*were&oath to &et#t end2In No)e"1er +,-Dthe*%&a!ed w#reta%$ onh#$%hone$and tho$e o( twoa$$o!#ate$2The*5/#!k&* &earned that Pere#ra 3wa$ one o( the 1#''e$t nar!otra((#!ker$ to ha)e o%erated (ro" th#$ !o/ntr*,3 La Na!#onre%orted7the "an 1eh#nd near&* e)er* "a4or dr/' tra((#!k#n' !a$e #n Co$ta R#!a $#n!e +,-+, w#th 3!onne!t#on$ #nAond/ra$, Co&o"1#a, San Andre$ and the n#ted State$23A$ the OI9 a'ent$ $tened #n on Pere#ra6$ %hone !a&&$, the* were $t/nned to (#nd the"$e&)e$ ea)e$dro%%#n' onCo$ta R#!an Contra !o""ander$, whowere d#$!/$$#n' !o!a#ne $h#%"ent$, dr/'&a1$, wea%on$ de)er#e$, and#nternat#ona& %ot#!$ w#th the !o!a#ne dea&er2 A"on' tho$e !a%t/red on the w#reta%$ were DN0>ARN $/1!o""anderEd"/ndo Cha"orroJ Erne$t A#da&'o A1/an;a, DN0>ARN6$ &o'#$t#!$ !h#e( and the %er$ona& a$$#$tant to DN0>ARN!o""ander 3E& Ne'ro3 Cha"orroJ G/#&&er"o Bo&t, a CIA0tra#ned Contra %#&ot who (&ew (or Eden Pa$tora6$ ARDEContra 'ro/%J and Se1a$t#an 3G/a!han3 Gon;a&e;, the "an #n !har'e o( the Pana"an#an &o'#$t#!$ (or ARDE and DN0>ARN2 D/r#n' one !on)er$at#on, a !a&&er "ent#oned that Gon;a&e; wa$ 1/#&d#n' a !o!a#ne %ro!e$$#n' &a1 #n Pana"a,and h#nted that he wa$ k#!k#n' 1a!k MG. "#&on a "onth to Pana"an#an a/thor#t#e$ (or the %r#)#&e'e o( do#n' 1/$#ne$$there2ThePere#raw#reta%$werean#nte&'en!e1onan;a(ortheCo$taR#!an%o!e2 3G/a!han3Gon;a&e;wa$awanted "an at the t#"e o( h#$ !a&&$, ha)#n' re!ent&* (&ed Co$ta R#!a a(ter he and DN0>ARN6$ &o'#$t#!$ !h#e( were!a/'ht w#th H.. 'ra"$ o( !o!a#ne #n a ho/$e #n G/ana!a$te Pro)#n!e2 Gon;a&e; wa$ o)erheard !a&n' Pere#ra (ro" h#$h#deo/t #n Pana"a, where he wa$ )#n' /nder the %rote!t#on o( or"erCIA$tat#on!h#e(>ernande;d#$%/tedPa$tora6$!&a#"$2 3Weatte"%tedtod#"#n#$hh#$#n(&/en!e1*$how#n' other %ot#!a& &eader$ that he wa$ an #rre$%on$#1&e %er$on and $o (orth, 1/t ne)er d#d we e)er /$e nar!ot#!$ ore)enther/"or o( nar!ot#!$ tra((#!k#n'or an*th#n'kethat a$ a"ean$ o( 1r#n'#n'a1o/t th#$ d#"#n#$h"ent,3>ernande; te$t#(#ed2 B/t re!ent&* re&ea$ed CIA (#&e$ $how h#$ te$t#"on* wa$ at 1e$t "#$&ead#n'B the CIA to&d e)er*oneand h#$ 1rother a1o/t #t2 3The re%ort#n' t*#n' Pa$tora and $en#or "e"1er$ o( h#$ 'ro/% to dr/' $"/''n' o%erat#on$ #nthen#tedState$ wa$ d#$$e"#nated1*CIAtoa1roadran'eo( $en#or K2S2 'o)ern"entL #nte&'en!eand&awen(or!e"ent o((#!#a&$,3theCIA6$In$%e!tor Genera& wrote2 That "o)e$tand$#n)#1rant !ontra$t tothe A'en!*6$"ode$t* a1o/t the Le'#on o( Se%te"1er +:6$ and DN0>ARN6$ dr/' dean'J %red#!ta1&*, the #n(or"at#on dea&t a death1&ow to Pa$tora6$ a&read* $hak* re&at#on$h#% w#th Wa$h#n'ton2>/rther e)#den!e o( the CIA6$ ro&e !an 1e (o/nd #n the 1a!k'ro/nd$ o( the "en who $et /% the dr/' dea&$ thate)ent/a&&* r/#ned Pa$tora2 The* had &on'0$tand#n' t#e$ to the CIA or Norw#n #er$9r2, wa$ !on)#n!ed that A/&&6$ ran!h wa$ 1e#n' /$ed (or Contra dr/' ('ht$2 3There #$ no do/1t #n >#er$6$ "#nd thatPa$tora6$ "entran$0$h#%%eddr/'$ o/t o( the a#r$tr#%onA/&&6$ ran!h,3 #n)e$t#'ator$ (or Iran0Contra %ro$e!/torLawren!e Wa&$h re%orted #n +,,+2 3>#er$ reaed th#$ aro/nd +,-H when he heard a&& the e)#den!e (ro" Senator 9ohnKerr*6$ hear#n'$ and (ro" the new$%a%er$2 >#er$ #$ ada"ant that he ha$ no know&ed'e o( CIA !o"%!#t* w#th dr/'a!t#)#t* #n Centra& A"er#!a23A/&&, whento&do( >#er$6$ $tate"ent, wa$ a$ton#$hed2 3Ae&&, hereI tho/'ht that a&& th#$ t#"ethe%eo%&e$%read#n' r/"or$ ke that were the Sand#n#$ta$ and the Co""/n#$t$2 Now I (#nd o/t #t6$ "* own 'o)ern"ent23One o( the &or#da2 3O!ta)#ano and Po%o te&& Geor'e Kor %ot#!a& !on$#derat#on$,there were two #nd#)#d/a&$ who were a$$o!#ated w#th Pa$tora who had a&&e'at#on$ a'a#n$t the" (or dr/' #n)o&