BACKGROUND MATERIAL RE: CIA ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO BAY OF PIGS
Originator: CIA
From: KNOCHE, E. H.
To: BELIN, DAVID W.
Document date: 05/00/1975
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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157-10011-10069

2023 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

Date: 10/06/93

Page: 1

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY : SSCIA

RECORD NUMBER : 157-10011-10069

RECORDS SERIES :

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR : CIA

FROM : KNOCHE, E. H., ASST. TO DCI

TO : BELIN, DAVID W. EXEC. DIRECTOR

TITLE :

LETTERS TO ROCKEFELLER COMMISSION FROM CIA

DATE : 05/00/75

PAGES : 21

SUBJECTS :

PROJECT JMMOVE

CIARDS EXTRACT, ALLEGED ILLEGAL DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES

BAY OF PIGS

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : S

-* RESTRICTIONS : REFERRED

CURRENT STATUS : P

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 09/29/93

OPENING CRITERIA :

COMMENTS :

SSCI Box 287, Folder 9

[R] - ITEM IS RESTRICTED

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+ SECHET

Project IMMOVE

The following is a summary of the attached extract of the OS files

pertaining to the incarceration of four persons in 196l.

Project IMMOVE is an Agency cryptonym covering paramilitary training

activities at a location in Louisana This training activity took place during

the period 12 February 1961 through 12 April 1961 and was in support of the

general Agency effort culminating in the abortive Cuban invasion. In support

of the IMMOVE mission a holding facility was required for dissident trainees.

The holding facility was a jail which was turned over for exclusive Agency

use by a local toucans, sheets

During the course of the training at UNMOVE?

four individuals were involuntarily detained in this jail. The individuals were

three Cuban trainees held in the jail from 9 April until 20 April 196l and a

Spanishy ship captain held from 29 March 1961 until 20 April 1961.

The captain, who jumped ship on 28 May 1961, was in charge of a ship which

was transporting ammunition in support of the Cuban invasion. It was deter-

mined that the individuals kaowledge of the IMMOVE operation presented a

security problem for the entire Cuban invasion operation. The captain was

taken into custody by the United States Border Patrol in New Orleans who,

upon instruction from the District Director, Immigration and Naturalization

Service, turned him over to the custody of Agency representatives. The

captain was then transported to the jail where he remained in the control of

the deputy sheriff in charge of the jail until 20 April 1961. After 20 April 196l,

the captain was transported to New York City where he was turned over to

I & NS who took custody of him until he left the country on 19 May 1961.

The three Cubans were jailed for several reasons, all relating to their

- reluctance or inability to carry out their training. Release from the project

site was determined to create a security hazard and they were also held in

the jail until after the invasion. Upon their release each of the individuals

was given a small amount of money and allowed to return to their choice of

residence in the United States.

The foregoing is a summary of several Office of Security reports attached,

which were written after the fact. These reports and other Office of Security

files do not document the precise level of approval for the operation, insofar

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

DECLASSIFICATION AND/OR

RELEASE OF THIS DOCUMENT

AS SANITIZED T

3 MAR 94

(1) (B)

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SECHET

as it involved the detention of these individuals. It is clear however, from a

review of the files, that the jailing was the subject of a variety of correspondence

between IMMOVE, Headquarters, and the Miami Station. In the case of the

ship captain, the operation from his apprehension until the time he left the

United States appears to have been accomplished in a close coordination with

I&NS.

(NOTE: Reference to CIARDS in Para l the attached memorandum refers to

the Central Intelligence Retirement and Disability System. Employees may

qualify for this program if they have 5 years overseas service or an equivalent

amount of domestic service determined to meet certain criteria of hazard

or uniqueness. Initial information regarding the subject of this report was

obtained through a general review of employees CARDS applications.)

(NOTE: The following cryptonyms are used in the attached extract.)

SE A1

OS crypt referring to the OS support of DDO Miami based

Cuban operations

Cuban Operations

AMHA

Cuban infiltration team originating at Et.

Sher taan

AMNORM

IMMOVE.

Unable to identify. From the context in which it is used

in the attached extract it appears the crypt refers to another

group of Cuban trainees.

Paramilitary training base at U,S. Naval Ammunition Depot:

Belle Chasse,, Lazy

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1 May 1975

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: Alleged Illegal Domestic Activities

(CIARDS Extract

1. Reference is made to an undated, blind memorandum

from the Inspector General containing certain information

extracted from the CIARDS applications of Office of Security

personnel. The following is an extract from the CIARDS

application of

O/S employee:

"This activity involved establishing

and maintaining liaison with the super-

intendent

and Assistant Superintendent

the Lontstand State Police; FBI;

Superintendent of the New

Orleans Police Departnent; Plaquinines.

Parish Sherift's office and deputies,

whose

cooperation

assistance proved

invaluable in handling black movements

of trainees, movement of ammunition and

to and from the base.

The expoe ve praquanines Parisha at my

request, made available a holding

facility which consisted of an entire

jail and jailer fat Port Sulphur lad

for the incarceration and retention of

hard-core or troublesome trainees who

threatened

to leave the Base

The jail

was also utilized to hold a Spanish Captain

of one of the cargo ships which

had been

loaded at the Branthwakte, Dock on the

Mississippi River with fuel, ammunition,

high explosives and other equipment for

the invasion. The Captain jumped ship

E2 IMPDET

CL BY 063994

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for the purpose of returning to

Havanna to join his wife, who was

pregnant.

Through the cooperation

of the IgNS, the Border Patrol, with

whom liaison had previously been

established, the Captain was apprehended,

and with the-assistance of the

Plaguinines Parish deputies, the Captain

until after the invasion.

removed from jail and flown to New York

City, where he was granted a thirty-day

extension by IGNS to await the arrival

before pro-

liaison was established with the Navy,

Coast Guard, Army,

Armed Forces Police

Detachment fin New Orleans, all of whom

provided invaluable support during the

operation."

2.

Subject

is the subject of Office of

Security file number 70837)

The file reflects that

he

was retired from the Agency on 8 June 1973 but contains no

information relative to the foregoing.

However, from March

1961 through May 1961,

he

was assigned to DDP/WH Division,

Branch: 4, Project UNATE Neworleans, rovisiana.

3

Volume 16, Office of Security file number 219 000)

(319-357)) concerns Project SEAL, containing information con-

cerning Office of Security operational support of the DDP

relative to the Bay of Pigs invasion.

(For facility of

turther access, copies of all pertinent documents from this

file relative to the matter at hand have been placed in

Office of Security file number 536 198, Belle Chasse Lout-

Stana: Ammunition Depot," subcaptioned Project JMMOVE.)

The

file contains a copy of a memorandum prepared by

subject

dated 12 May 1961, captioned "IMMOVE' directed to the

Chief, WH/4/Security, reporting on activities at JMMOVE fron

14 February 1961 to 21 April 1961. The following are verbatim

extracts from this memorandum:

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"LCDR. James E. PHILLIPS, M.D., (U.S. Naval

Station, Algiers, Louisiana)

arranged for and

removed a piece of Shrapnal from the ankle

area

Of An ANHAZE trainee; arranged for and assisted

in performing an emergency appendectomy on ANORA

trainee,

3223, and provided

general medical care for trainees

at earmove.

the jail

Who were in detention there."

"During the latter part of February 1961,

liaison

established with the Plaquamine

Parish shen eus office,

siana.

Subsequently,

Borts La, Hague, Loui-S

and Deputy Sheriff"

were briefed

regarding the JNMOVE activity and the nationality

of the trainees.

They were not briefed as to CIA

sponsorship. sheri fe

was questioned re-

garding the possibility of utilizing a local jail

in the event it became

necessary to incarcerate

one or more of the trainees

at some future date.

He innediate Y

advised that he had a jail fat port

Sulphus, Louisiana, which he would make

available

if

the need should arise. He explained that the

Jailer,

was la Deputy Sheriff and

the jail

would afford privacy since few prisoners

were placed there.

It was

also agreed. that there

would be no

records maintained if

trainees were

incarcerated

deny that such trainees had ever been incarcerated

such t

and that members of his staff would

in the event of future inquiries by representatives

of the news media.

"Subsequently, it was necessary to incarcerate

three trainees and

the former Captain of the s.s.

Thous contat the

above jail.

This matter will be

treated in detail later in this report.

"During the JN

OvE activity, members of the

Sheriff's Otfice were most helpful, especially,

Officers

in assisting with

the handling and jailing of the above individuals;

providing escorts for trainee and cargo moves

fron INNOVE to the MaS

or vice versa; conducting

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periodic patrols to the front and rear gates

of INMOVEtto keep fishermen and poachers out

of the base and reporting local gossip re-

garding spoculation as to the type of activity

conducted within the base.

"On 28 February 1961, the

Chief Patrol Inspector;

•Assist-

ant Chief Patrol Inspector; and

Senior Patrol Inspector, U.S. Border Patiol

New Orteans, Louisiana,

were briefed regarding

the JNMOVE activity but not CIA sponsorship."

"Subsequently, the Border Patrol was very

helpful in forcing

fourteen crew members who

had

threatened to

"jump ship," to stay aboard

the "Caribe after it had loaded at the Braith

vaite Docks.

Also, they assisted by taking

custody and holding

Captain

the

S.S. Houston, until UNtoVE

security representa-

tives could assume custody.

"On 16. March 1961,

District Director, Immigration & Naturalization

in the Masonie Buildingp

New Orleans, La., was briefed regarding the love

and Agency sponsorship as per Headquarters

instructions.

He and the

Deputy District Director,

subsequently provided

valuable assistance to NoVEl in apprehending and

detaining

the

Captain of the SSo

Hous ton

who was subsequently placed in jail at

Port Sulphur, La., until after the ill-fated inva-

sion on the target area.

In addition, the Deputy District Director

provided the reporting agent with the name of

District Director of Immigration &

Naturalization Service, New Jork CIty, as the per-

son to contact prior to the release of the Captain.

This matter will be discussed in more detail later

in this report."

DETENTION CASES:

"At 1500 hours on 28 March 1961, Mr.

Lowe, Logistics representative, in charge of

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loading ammunition on vessels at the Braithvaite

Docks, telephonically advised the reporting

agen't

that a crew member from the lake Charles and the

Capt. from the S.S. Houston had junped ship after

the vessels had loaded and anchored downstream ana

the Mississippi Rio

The individuals were iden-

tified as

approximately

44 years old,

a former American who had renounced his U.S. citi-

zenship and who is now a naturalized citizen of

Cuba, and one

Captain of the SoS.

Houston, approximately 39 years old fand of Spanish

Lorigin!

reportedly left the lake Charles.

on

27 March 1961 with

the river pilot, after the

from the loading site to the

anchorage point downstrcam.

A subsequent check

with

IGNS, revealed that

had District Director,

been granted polit-

ical

asylum by IGNS at New Orleans on 28 March

1961, and, according to INS records, he had de-

parted New Orleans,

presumably by bus, at 1000

hours on 28 March 1961, enroute to Miami, Florida.

IGNS records listed

forwarding address as

Miami, Florida.

The informa-

tion regarding

i*aS

furnished telephonically

to

Headquarters, on the night

of 28 March 1961, in the event Headquarters de-

cided an attempt

should be nade to apprehend

on his

arrival in Miami.

"According to MI.

LONE,

.. Capt.

left the

S.S: Houston on 28 March

after which he re-

ported to his employer

with offices in New Orleans) He refused to return

to the vessel. The captain insisted that his reason

for leaving was the fact that his wife was preg-

nant and expecting to give birth to a child in

approximately 10 days.

He was

afraid the birth

would be by caesaeran

section and he was concerned

for her safety.

He wanted to return to Cuba at

the earliest possible date.

The District Director

was contacted telephonically by

the reporting agent.

He was advised that in

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view of the Captain'sknowledge of the cargo on board

the SS. Houstonj and his probable knowledge of

the use for which the cargo was intended, it

would create

a serious security hazard if he was

released, and especially, it he should return to

Cuba. It

decided that there

were 5 possible

ways of handling the matter.

First, to release

and permit him to remain

the area run-

ning the risk that he might contact his wife and/

or. return

to Cuba. This was ruled out on

security

grounds.

Secondly, to force

aboard the

vessel and place him under the custody of the

Captain replacing him. . This was believed too

IISkY

isince it was feared the crew would be more

loyal

to him than to his replacement.

Further-

mOIe, II

he

should regain command of the vessel,

he might divert the craft

to Cuba.

Thirdly, to

detain him

until after the invasion.

"The above situation was discussed telephoni-

cally with Headquarters personnel

the

night

of 28 Narch 1961. Subsequently, authoriza-

tion was received from

Hqs.

to incarcerate the

Subject.

"At approximately 2330 hours on 28 March 1961, a

Special Agent

and the reporting.

agent were accompanied by Deputies

ofthe plaquenine Parish Sheriff's office,

to the Headquarters of the U.S. Border Patrol,

wherethe Capt. was being held in custody.

was placed

at leile chasse, louisiana, where he was handcuffed

and transferred to the rear of the panel truck.

An MP assigned to the Security

Office, drove the truck and Deputy Sheriff!

rode in the front seat while the Special Agent and the re-

porting agent rode withthe Capt. in the rear. Depay

uty Sheriff. Cockrell/preceded the truck in his

patrol car to the ja leat Port Stiphur,

, louiSiana,

a distance of approximately 10 miles.

placed in the jail on the morning of 29 March 1961.

The jailer, aDeputy Sheriff Rene!

instructed to do everything possible to make.

him

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comfortable and to purchase the necessary clothing

he might need as well as magazines

and newspapers

to help him pass the time.

The jailer was re-

quested not to provide

him

with

a local news-

paper since it would reveal his location.

An in-

quiry was made as to whether or not a radio station

was located in the town of fort Sulphug.

learned that no such station existed, the Captain

was informed that a radio would be provided for

him at a later date.

mately two times each week at which time he was

provided with English and Spanish newspapers and

magazines

staff employee,

acted as interpreter on three of the visits.

Subject was permitted to write letters to his

wife, one of which was mailed after being censored.

An Inquiry was made, at the Subject's

request,.

through his office in New York City, re-

garding his wife's health.

When it was learned

that she had given normal

birth to a son, Subject

was so informed.

"Subject

was very cooperative during the period

of detention, from 28 March 1961 to 20 April 1961,

and approximately one week before he was released,

he was provided with a two band, eight transistor

radio.

This radio was subsequently given to the

jailer in appreciation for his cooperation and the

services he

had provided, not only for Subject, but

in handling three other trainees who were subse-

quently placed in jail. A receipt obtained from

the jailer for the radio is attached hereto as

Exhibit No. 1. Food for Subject

and the three

trainees was purchased, as ordered, by the jailer

from a local restaurant.

"Subject's

personnel effects were subsequenty

turned over to

the Hansen &-Tide-

Emann firm.

Approximately a week later, the re-

porting agent assumed custody of the effects, con-

sisting of a large suitcase, a leather briefcase,

a small cloth handbag and

red, metal tool box.

The above items were placed in the vault at the

base for safekeeping.

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"Subsequently, a cursory check for reapons

was being made of the above effects before

taking

certain itens of clothing to Subject

at the jail.

It was discovered that the personal effects con-

tained items of considerable value including U.s.

and Cuban currency; gold coins; a valuable engag-

ment ring containing a diamond

estimated at five

karats; plus other itens.

Also, there were several

letters with currency enclosed or attached and the

envelopes contained stateside and foreign addresses.

"On 13 April 1961,

Sgt.

Special Agent

Shanks and the reporting agent inventoried the

articles of monetary value and/or of intelligence

significance.

A copy of the inventory is attached

hereto as Exhibit No. 2.

this copy of the inventory contains the signature

of Subject, obtained in New York City at the time of

his release, acknowledging the receipt of the items

inventoried.

"At 2130 hours on 9 April 1961, the following

the jail at. Port

for refusing to train with t

Batallion and/or threatening to escape from the

base:

a. R- 3208

b. R- 3236

c. R- 3232

"It should be noted that R-3232

was a former agitator and deserter

from Guatemala,

and he had refused to train with the Batallion at

A MOVE

R- 3236

was unable to train and

accompany the Battalion in view of a recent emer-

gency appendectomy.

Insufficient time had elapsed

to permit the incision to heal adequately for him

to participate in training activities.

Furthermore,

he was

a close personal friend of R-3232

and in

formation was received from other trainees that

they

were planning to escape.

R- 3208

had been very lackadaisical and refused to

participate in training activities.

Eventually, he

was transferred to the dispensary with the complaint

STRACT

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that he was suffering from

tion was subsequently

Informa-

and make his way back to Miami.

"Incarceration of the above trainees was

based on the short time element existing prior

to "D" Day; their threats to escape from

the

base, and finally, at the personal request of

Battalion Commander,

and his

staff, who feared the Subjects could cost them

their

lives and/or jeopardize the entire mission

if they should escape.

"The above individuals were transported to

the jail in the rear of the panel truck by

and the reporting agent.

The truck was escorted by Deputies!!

They were placed on the opposite side of

the jail from Subject

and they were unable to see

outside the jail or to communicate with Subject

These men remained in the jail until 20 April 1961.

"Approximately 2 days after being committed

to jail, R-3208

developed

a rather

serious case of asthma, which required that he be

checked bya Doctor

three days in succes-

sion. Immediately after the Battalion had been

dispatched from MOVE on their assignment, R-3208

was removed from

the jail

and returned to the

dispensary at dove.

This left Subject and 2

trainees in jal.

"On 18 January (sic) 1961

quarters, Washengepor big.

agent returned to Head-

"On 20 April 1961

the reporting

agent returned to New Orleans at the instructions

of

Headquarters, to effect the

release of the two trainees and Subject

who were

still in jail.

In addition, three trainees, who

vere in a motel on the outskirts of lew Orleans,

were to be released.

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"Immediately upon arrival, arrangements were

made to release the three trainees at the motel.

$2736,

AMAZEs traine hundred dollars and provided with

given one

a ticket to his home in New York City. He was

not escorted

Trainees R-3208

and another ANNORy trainee,

who was unable to

accompany the battalion anc

whose name is unknown,

were escorted to Miami, Florida, by Corporal

Joseph DETATA, an MP assigned to the Security

Office.

"During the afternoon of 20 April 1961,

R-3236

and

were removed from the jail fat Port Sulphug by

the reporting agent.

Blacked

glasses were placed on each man prior to leaving

the jail and they wore the glasses until the

vehicle arrived at the outskirts of New orleans.

Neither man could observe his surroundings until

the glasses were removed.

They were taken in a

Tower dean to Moistened where they wien

given one hundred dollars

and provided with

airline tickets to Miami, Florida. They were

escorted by

Mp's assigned to the Security Office.

"At approximately 2200 hours on 20 April 1961,

Subject

was removed from the jail by

the

reporting agent, in the same manner as described

above, and taken to New York City on the morning

of 21 April 1961. The group stayed at the Commo-

dore Hotel until an appointment could be arranged

York City. Subject. District Director of IGNS, New

taken to the IGNS office

at 1500 hours,

21 April 1961, at which time, the

case was discussed with I&NS

I5-

sued a voluntary departure form on behalf of Subject

which would permit him to remain in Yew York City

until 1 June 1961.

to arrange for the departure of his

wife and infant son from Havanna, Cuba. Subject

was

instructed to report on Monday of each week to

personally, and to advise hin of any change

He was also told that should he

desire an extension beyond 1 June 1961, he was to.

contact I&NS, personally, and no

one

else.

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Diliti

"At approximately 1700 hours on 21 April

1961, Subject was taken to 1l Battery. Place,

New York City, where he was met by his employer,

MY Alfredo, GARGIA of the airn, Naviera Del Gol foss

Company

Here, CHurl's personal effects were

given to him and he was

given one hundred dollars.

The reporting agent returned

to Washington, D.C., on 22 April 1961."

4.. The file contains

a memorandum to the Chief, WH/4/

Security, captioned "INNOVe dated 8 June 1961 prepared by

retired Office of Security enployee, Te

porting on his 30-day ToY to New ole an April 1961. o

relieve an O/S Officer

commencing

was scheduled to depart on 18

April 1961. In this memorandum

commented as follows:

"In addition to the three Cubans in the motel

at New Orleans,

four others were being held in

custody by Deputy Sheriff

Nata Port

Sulphur, Louisiana,

These four were in custody

for rcasons of security and were being held until

it was determined that potential security repercus-

connected with their release no longer ex-

isted.

Arrangements for their maintenance had

previously been made by O/S officer and Deputy Sheriff.

The public had no knowledge of their

presence at port stiphus.

Arrangements for their

release from the area were made on 20 April 1961,

the

same date on which

the three from the notel

In New Orleans; departed the area.

Details con-

cerning the movement of these seven Cubans are

included in a report prepared by the O/S officer."

5. A memorandum to the file dated 2i April 1961 pre-

pared by Harry J. Murphy, Chief, Alien Affairs Staff (Office

of Security), subject:

Captain states as follows:

"O/S officer

called on 21 April and said

that subject was a ship captain who was detained

Bin Ney Or loans at the

request of

the District Field Office, and at the present

time, subject ando/S officer

are in Room 2254

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of the Commodore Hotel in New York City. O/S official

is using a pseudonym. O/S officer

said

that subject would be turned over to I&NS and

whatever disposition they might want.

Headquarters representative wascalled for further details.

said that

subject had been a bona fide cap-

tain of a ship owned by the Garcia brothers..g

The ship arriveddin New Orleans, and was going

out with a

sensitive cargo.

Subject refused

to go, and

at that time O/S Officer made the neces-

arrangements.

According to the Headquarters representative Sub-

ject is not an

"Sp" and he "has been placated." The Headquarters®

representative said

subject is contacting his

ship's

company in New York City, and that subject

should be made available

to IENS at the carli-

est opportunity.

This information was called

to

I&NS

; who advised that someone

should get a message to the O/S officer to sit tight in

the hotel room. Subsequently,

I&NS

advised

that he had been in contact with District

Director

and

he

requested that O/S official

bring the subject to the IGN Office, 20

•liest Broadway, New York City, and he would

handle it from there.

said that

IGNS

would encourage him to seek a berth on

a ship.

"Headquarters rep.

was

advised and told to get a message to

O/S official

to bring subject to 20 West

Broadway immediately."

A memorandum for the file dated 24 April 1961 pre-

pared by Harry J. Murphy, Chief, Alien Affairs Staff, subject:

Captain

, states as

follows:

"On 21 April 1961, in the following conver-

sation wand Headquarters representatived at the he wat

subject anco/S official

the New

York District Office of IGNS and the following

agreement was made:

"That subject be given one month's

time to arrange his own and his rela-

tives' departure to his native land

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(Spain)),

and that he be permitted

to be at large until 1 June 1961.

This matter was being handled by

the Deputy District

Director in

New

York."

" I&NS querried as to whether this would

be agreeable with our Agency.

"Headquarters was called and he said the

above arrangement was agreeable to the Agency.

" I&NS was so informed."

A memorandum from Harry J. Murphy, Chief, Alien Affairs

Staff dated 12 May 1961 to the Chief of Security, WH/4 Division

through the Director of Security, subject:

Captain

, states

as follows:

"On 12 May 1961

Immigration

and Naturalization Service,

advised this Office

that the Subject is departing from the United

• States at New York City for

Spain on 15 May 1961,

aboard TwA Flight 900.

"FOR THE DIRECTOR OF SECURITY:"

Office of Security file number 556 198 captioned

"Belle Chasse Loursiana Annunition nepot," subcaptioned

"Project IDIOVE," was established in late

• 1967/early 1968

in response to requirements from DDP/CI/REA for information

concerning Agency activities

in and about New orleans Louisy

Stana, relative to Cuban training for the

Bay of Pigs.

The

DDP/CI/R&A inquiry was prompted by inquiries into the assassi-

nation of President John F.

Kennedy conducted by the New

Orleans District Attorney "Jim" Garrison.

Material drawn

together at the time of the Garrison inquiry included a 7

June 1961 memorandum for the Chief

WH/+, sent

captioned "Report on INNove" prepared by

chiet of Base, INMOVE,

covering the activities

of JAMOVE

(of, Base

in support of NaTE.

Included in

this report by Chief

are the following pertinent comments:

"INNOVE was the cryptonym designating the

Agency training base established

at the U.S.

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- Depo

Me Chase (sic)

Louisiana,

during the

period

12 February 1961

through

• 12 April 1961

This Base located

eisht miles from the chty of New Orleansh

louisiate) had been inactive for five years..

"The initial mission assigned to the Base

was to hold, condition and

conduct limited

training for thirty men organized into small

infiltration teams, and to prepare these teams

for

operational

employment.

On activation of

the Base,

the mission was immediately expanded

to include the reception and training of 149

for organization

into small guerrilla var-

fare teams; reorganization and training of the

149 men..

....training of raider teams.....devel-

opment of necessary support facilities...

Under Objectives Chierlot Base included:

".....Maintain maximum external security in

such

a fashion as to deny knowledge of the

• activities of the Base, to the local populace.

In addition, holding,

training and movements

of trainees had to be accomplished in such

gashion

as to deny to trainees identificatior

the Base, Least the Belle Chase Naval Anmun fa

tion Depota

"Develop effective liaison arrangèments.....

This included liaison with.....U.S. Border Patrol,

New Orleans.)..... if we so desired,

to arrange that

Border Patrol pick up and retain trainees in

our behalf;...: Immigration and Naturalization

officel New Orleans..... to establish procedures

whereby this office

would assist us if we had any

disposal or detention cases.".

Under base and operational

security,!

listed:

"....the following steps were taken to

maintain maximum cover and

security:.....the re-

moval of agitators, defectors, or suspected Castro.

agents to safehouses and/or the sheriff's jail."

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SEGRET

Under security incidents, Chief of. Basel listed:

# D

non 28 March 1961, the Captain of the SeSa

Houston left the vessel after it had been loaded

and refused to reboard the vessel.

The Captain

had been briefed quite thoroughly, so it is

understood, regarding the mission of the vessel.

It was felt that the success of the mission would

be seriously jeopardized if he were permitted to

go free and return to his wife in Cuba, as he

desired.

Through the cooperation of the Immigra-

tion and Naturalization Service and the U.S.

Border

Patrod, he was taken into custody and de-

tained until Security representatives could place

tamin a nearby ade or dese with

whom the Security Officer had established liai-

son.

No records are

maintained of the Incarcera-

tion and the sheriff and his deputies, have prom-

ised to deny that anyone was incarcerated should

there be any future inquiries by reporters.

The

Captain was removed from

the jail on 20 April

1961 taken to New York City, where arrangements

were made with the District

Director, IENS, to

allow him to remain in the area until 1 June

1961, when he expected to obtain the release

of

his wife and infant

son from Cuba.

This entire

incident was handled without incident or ani-

mosity on the part of the Captain."

Under Security liaison, Chief of Basel listed:

Chief Patrol Inspector;

, Assistant Chief Patrol Inspec-

tor and

, Senior Patrol Inspector,

1.S: Border Patrol, New Orleans, Louisiana,

assisted the Project.....

In addition, the

Border Patrol, on instruction

from

District Director, Immigration and

Naturalization Service, aptain of the cody and

Houston, until security representatives of the

Base could take custody and incarcerate him

for security reasons.

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SEGRET

District

Director, and

Assistant District

Director

I & NS New Orleans, Loutsuana, assisted

The Base security

representatives in the initial

custody fat New onleons as

well as the transfer

of Captain

→to New York City on 20 April 1901.

District Director, I & NS,

New York City, issued a

Voluntary Departure letter

to Subject

permitting him to remain in New York

City until 1 June 1961, to assist in effecting

the departure from Havana, Cuba, his wife and

infant son. The above is

an "off the record"

transaction and is being handled personally by

Subject

is to report Monday of each week

to Marks and if an extension beyond 1 June 1961

is desired, he is to consult District Director, I&NS.

"SHERIFFS, OFFICE,

PLAQUEMINES PARISH:

Sheriff

Supervisor,

, Jailer, Port Sulphur

Louisiana]

Deputy Sheriffsh

were most cooperative

and helpful in

assisting

the base...lhey

personally assisted in the taking into custody

of Captain

from the U.S. Border

Patrol and transporting him

to jail lat-Ports

Sulphin, Louisiona

In addition, they accom-

panied and provided transportation when three

other trainees were incarcerated at the same

facility on 9 April 1961.

"It should be noted that the above arrange-

ments were handled in such a manner that no

records of the prisoners or their incarceration

are on file; the prisoners were completely iso-

lated, they could see outside or communicate

with anyone inside.

The trainees were isolated

from Uchupf and could not communicate with him.

"Upon removal of the prisoners from the

jail on 20 April 1961, Deputy

was

requested, and to so inform the other deputies,

to categorically deny that the above individuals

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were incarcerated lat Port Sulphug in the event

of future inquiries by reporters or othervise.

Jailer

greed to comply and voluntarily

offered his services and

those of the Sherffr

office at any future date.

The Shen ff had

initially concurred in the above arrangement."

9.

No additional pertinent information could be located

in Office of Security files

concerning this matter.

No Secu

rity file could be located in variations of the names.

One

is the subject of Office of Security

file number 223 127 and is possibly identical with one of

the incarcerated Cubans; however, the file contains no infor-

mation concerning this matter.

may

be identical with

Office of

Security file number 225 868; however, this file contains no

information

concerning this matter.

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