Wikispooks wikispooks https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Main_Page MediaWiki 1.33.2 first-letter Media Special Talk User User talk Wikispooks Wikispooks talk File File talk MediaWiki MediaWiki talk Template Template talk Help Help talk Category Category talk Property Property talk Form Form talk Concept Concept talk Document Document talk Wikipedia Wikipedia talk Test Test talk Widget Widget talk Campaign Campaign talk Module Module talk Gadget Gadget talk Gadget definition Gadget definition talk Western Global Airlines N545JN 0 20409 227897 219876 2021-10-20T19:20:55Z Robin 120 link wikitext text/x-wiki {{event |start=13 February 2016 |end=13 February 2016 |wikipedia= |image=CIA_MD11_cash_and_body_plane.png |image_width=300px |image_caption=A view of the dead body that was found in Harare, along with 67 tonnes of banknotes, in an apparently CIA-owned plane making what was later claimed to be a "Diplomatic Shipment". |perpetrators=Western Global Airlines |description=67 tons of cash and a body found on a CIA plane. Not known to have been reported by [[corporate media]] in [[Europe]] or [[North America]]. |constitutes=flight, money laundering, mid-level deep event }} '''Western Global Airlines N545JN''', a [[CIA]]-connected cargo plane, flew to [[South Africa]] from [[Europe]] on 13 February [[2016]]. After initial confusion, the {{on}} became that it landed in [[Munich]], [[Germany]] (visibly bloodstained<ref name=bloodstainsvid/>) and took on a "''Diplomatic Shipment''" of 67 tonnes of banknotes intended for the [[South African Reserve Bank]]. "The plane stopped at [[Harare]] International Airport to refuel and ground handling staff noticed blood dripping from the aircraft air conditioning vault." The ''[[Africa News Agency]]'' cites a report that "a search was made and the body of an adult male fell out.”<ref>http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/blood-dripping-from-plane-leads-to-body-1984427</ref> The plane and crew were held for a few days by [[Zimbabwe]] [[police]], but as with the 2006 bust of a [[CIA]]-connected [[2006 Mexico DC-9 drug bust|DC-9 carrying 5.6 tonnes of cocaine]],<ref>http://www.dea.gov/pr/speeches-testimony/2006t/ct042606p.html</ref> no prosecutions were forthcoming. ==Official narrative== On February 13th 2016 a [[Western Global Airlines]] McDonnell Douglas MD-11, registration N545JN (leased to [[Network Airline Management]]) completed flight AJK-4425 from Entebbe ([[Uganda]]) to Liege ([[Belgium]]), before flying on to [[Munich]], still as flight AJK-4425 the same day. It took on 67 tonnes of freshly printed banknotes (out of its capacity of 160 tonnes)<ref>http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_md11_en.php</ref>. As the [[South African Reserve Bank]] later clarified: {{SMWQ |text=The bulk of the annual production of banknotes is done locally in South Africa and a small percentage is done offshore as part of the contingency plans of the SARB. The aircraft currently detained at Harare Airport is carrying a consignment of South African banknotes that was produced overseas as part of the SARB's annual production plan. |authors=South African Reserve Bank |source_URL=http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/reserve-bank-working-zim-authorities-consignment-release |source_name=South African Government News Agency |date=16 February 2016 }} Minor bloodstains were detectable on the side of the plane when it landed in Munich,<ref name=bloodstainsvid>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clfjJBw2ZdM</ref> and ground staff in Munich asked about them, but reportedly believed the crew's explanation that the blood was because the plane had struck a bird.<ref name=avh/><ref>https://planeimages.net/i/zbrktS6YxX7D</ref> [[image:N545JN taxiing in Munich.jpg|left|thumbnail|480px|On Feb 13th 2016, N545JN taxiing in Munich, with the blood stains enlarged (Photo: Markus Schwab, a planespotter whose photograph of the aircraft in Munich showed blood stains on the right hand side of the fuselage - courtesy of the ''Aviation Herald'')]] ===The (emergency) landing=== After being denied landing in Maputo ([[Mozambique]]), the plane made what was initially referred to as an emergency landing at the [[Zimbabwe]]an capital Harare<ref name=iol15>http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/blood-dripping-from-plane-leads-to-body-1984427</ref> but which was later described as "a routine fuel stop in Zimbabwe".<ref name=avh/> ===The occupants=== The crew consisted of three [[pilot]]s ("led by two Americans")<ref name=severered/> and a mechanic as well as two passengers who were traveling as couriers for the diplomatic shipment.<ref name=alla>http://allafrica.com/stories/201602220932.html</ref> ===The money=== The cargo of banknotes comprised 67 tonnes of [[South Africa]]n Rand.<ref>http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/reserve-bank-working-zim-authorities-consignment-release</ref> With an exchange rate of about 15 South African Rand to the [[US Dollar]]<ref>http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=USD&To=ZAR</ref> and notes up to 200 Rand<ref>https://www.theibns.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=341&catid=13&Itemid=51</ref>, this could have had a face value of up to ~$2 US billion. ===The body=== The ''[[Zimbabwe Herald]]'' reported that "the ground crew refueling the plane alerted local authorities" after noticing blood dripping from the plane. The authorities also noted that not only did the plane contain the body of a dead black man, it also had 67 tonnes of South African cash in the hold. The airline later explained that "''during a routine fuel stop in Zimbabwe, a body was found in the lower compartment. The body is presumed to be a stowaway who may have entered the airplane during a previous stop.''"<ref name=avh/> Another report suggested that he "could be a vagrant who sneaked into the aeroplane when it landed at Entebbe International Airport in [[Uganda]]."<ref name=alla/> The South African Reserve bank reported that the "body was found in the plane’s cargo hold."<ref>http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/reserve-bank-working-zim-authorities-consignment-release</ref> ===The outcome=== The plane and contents were impounded<ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/africa/76923538/us-western-global-airlines-plane-impounded-in-zimbabwe-after-body-cash-found</ref> but later released, together with the crew.<ref name=severered>http://www.madcowprod.com/2016/02/22/dripping-blood-a-severed-arm-67-tons-of-cash-on-a-cia-plane/#more-11220</ref><ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/africa/77107753/jet-found-with-dead-body-cash-released-after-crew-cleared</ref> The [[Zimbabwean]] police reportedly stated that the autopsy of the body revealed no internal or external injuries, the death was result of lack of oxygen, and so finding nothing suspicious, they let the crew continue on their way.<ref name=avh/> [[image:CIA_MD11_cash_and_body_plane_side_view.jpg|right|400px|thumbnail|Ground staff gingerly approach the dead body.]] ==Plane History== As of July 2017, [[FAA]] website indicated that it was registered to 7892 FISHER ISLAND DR, DADE, MIAMI FLORIDA.<ref>http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N545JN</ref> The owner's real name is not given, but planes of the same make and model number are registered to [[Sky Lease I Inc]] and [[Centurion Air Cargo Inc]], both of 4500 NW 36TH ST, MIAMI SPRINGS, FL 33166-6121.<ref>http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/MMS_results.aspx?Mmstxt=3023600&Statetxt=FL&conVal=0&PageNo=1</ref> ===Ownership=== The plane was constructed in May 1995 in Long Beach, California, USA<ref name=ps>https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/McDonnell-Douglas/MD-11/48545/N545JN-Western-Global-Airlines</ref> and initially operated as '''B-16106''' by [[EVA Airways ]] from 22 June 1995. Next it was operated as '''N106BV''' by [[Wells Fargo Bank Northwest]] from 14 May 2008 for just 2 weeks before they sold it to [[Shanghai Airlines]], where it was operated as '''B-2179''', before being transferred to [[China Cargo Airlines]] on 1 June 2011. It was stored at Mojave Air and Space Port (California) on 17 November 2013 before being sold to [[Western Global Airlines]] on 15. Aug 2014. WGA flew it to Oscoda–Wurtsmith Airport (Michigan) and stored it there from 17th August 2014 to 26. Mar 2015, when it resumed flying.<ref name=ps/> ===Movements=== Planespotters' sitings indicate it seems to pay regular visits to [[Liege]], [[Munich]] and [[Stanstead]] airports.<ref name=ps/><ref name=yt>https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=N545JN</ref> 5 days before this event, on Feb 8, 2016, the plane was videoed making a hard landing in strong winds at Stansted Airport.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8-vGgEvCIs</ref> ==Concerns== This story raises a number of concerns. Many of those questioned changed their stories or just refused to provide any explanation. The "''emergency landing''" for example was later being described as a "''routine fuel stop''". The ''[[Aviation Herald]]'' published a report on 16 February 2016 which remarked that they "''met this story with disbelief. Blood dripping off the aircraft after so many hours of flight? This detail alone shot the story down at an instant.''" Their report contains little interpretation but plenty of useful details.<ref name=avh>http://avherald.com/h?article=49409531</ref> ===Cause of death=== Markus Schwab's photo appears to support the claim that Munich ground staff noticed blood stains.<ref name=avh/><ref>https://planeimages.net/i/zbrktS6YxX7D</ref> [[Daniel Hopsicker]] reported the blood stains were reported as coming from the severed arm of a dead man.<ref name=severered/> Various sources report the body in an advanced state of decay - so much so that [[fingerprint]]s could not be taken<ref name=iol/> and that his age could not be estimated.<ref name=alla/> This cannot be easily reconciled with the Zimbabwean police narrative of a stowaway dying from a simple lack of oxygen. ===CIA involvement=== [[Daniel Hopsicker]] writes that "“Western Global Airlines” was once known as “Southern Air Transport.” The same management that brought Southern Air out of bankruptcy back in 2002 still owns it today (August 2016).<ref>http://www.airlineinfo.com/ostpdf89/675.pdf</ref> So the plane belongs to a CIA contractor. When Western Global started service, the airline announced - probably not tongue-in-cheek - that it would: {{QB|“serve the major cargo centers of South America, where they will be flying from Colombia to Miami carrying cut flowers.” But there’s another reason that’s the real clincher: The crisis [[PR]] firm the airline hires to release the press release did PR for the Minnesota dentist who killed “Cecil the Lion.”"<ref name=severered/> }} ==Other Unanswered Questions== As IOL, a South African website, summarised: {{QB|"What is the identity of the dead man; why would anyone stow away on an Africa-bound aircraft in Germany; where did he come from; and how did he end up on the large cargo aircraft?"<ref name=iol>http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/cargo-aircraft-released-but-questions-remain-1987403</ref>}} One might also wonder whether [[central bank]]s often move cash like this, and if so, whether any controls or written records exist? Is there any kind of oversight? ==Cover-up== As a quick scan of the sources for this article will suggest, Western {{ccm}} was uninterested in this story. {{SMWDocs}} ==References== {{reflist}} 8usy1z8ezmtc50hswfs4x501y8kbnrx