United States Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 August 3, 2018 Case No, F-2016-07853 Segment: WHA/EX-0001iec2; WHA-0005; 1PS-0007 Stephen Stamboulich Stamboulieh Law P.O. Box 4008 Madison, MS 39130 Dear Mr. Stamboulich: I refer you to our letter dated June 29, 2018, regarding the release of material under the Freedom of Information Act (the “FOIA"), 5 U.S.C. § 552. ‘The processing of records potentially responsive to your request is ongoing and has yielded an additional 21 responsive documents. After reviewing these documents, we have determined that 7 may be released in full, 13 may be released in part and 1 must be withheld in full. ‘An enclosure explains the FOIA exemptions and other grounds for withholding material. For the document withheld in full, we have cited FOIA Exemptions 1, 5, 6 and 7, 5 U.S.C. §§ 552(b)(1), (b)(5), (b)(6) and (b)(7)(E). Where we have made excisions, the applicable FOIA ‘exemptions are marked on the document. All non-exempt material that is reasonably segregable from the exempt material is released in the enclosed pages. We will keep you informed as your case progresses. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant United States Attorney Marina Braswell at 202-252-2561 or marina, braswell @usdoj gov, Please refer to the associated case number, F-2016-07853, and the civil action number, 1:17-cv-01585, in all communications regarding this case. Sincerely, Cg Carre Eric F. Stein, Director Office of Information Programs and Services Enclosures: As stated(bx) 0x2) oe) OO) (XS) (X86) XT) x8) @X9) NR FOIA Exemptions Information specifically authorized by an exccutive order fo be kept secret in the interest of national defense or forcign policy. Executive Order 13526 includes the following classification categories: 1.A(a) Military plans, systems, or operations 1.4(b) Foreign government information .4(6) Intelligence activities, sources or methods, or eryptology 1.4(€) Foreign relations or foreign activities of the US, including confidential sources 1.4(@) Scientific, technological, o economic matters relating to national security, including defense agains transnational terrorism 1.4() US. Government programs for safeguarding nuclear materials or facilities 1.4(g) Vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, projects, plans, or protection services relating to US national sccurity, including defense against transnational terrorism 1.4(h), Weapons of mass destruction Related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency ‘Specifically exempted from disclosure by statute (other than 5 USC 552), for example: ARMSEXP ‘Asms Export Control Act, 50a USC 2411(0) CIA PERS/ORG Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949, 50 USC 403(8) EXPORT CONTROL Export Administration Act of 1979, 50 USC App. Sec. 2411(€) FS ACT Foreign Service Act of 1980,22 USC 4004 INA Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 USC 1202(f), Sec. 222() IRAN Iran Claims Settlement Act, Public Law 99-99, Sec. 505 Trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information Interagency or intra-agency communications forming part of the deliberative process, attomey-client privilege, or attomey work product Personal privacy information Law enforcement information whose disclosure would: (A) interfere with enforcement proceedings (B) deprive a person of a far trial (C) constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (D) disclose confidential sources () disclose investigation techniques (F) endanger life or physical safety of an individual Prepared by or fora government agency regulating or supervising financial institutions Geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, conceming wells, ‘Other Grounds for Withholding Material not responsive to a FOIA request excised with the agreement of the requesterC06478939IED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2016-07853 Doc No. C08478939 Date: 08/02/2018 201104601 United States Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 March 18, 2011 RELEASE IN PART INFORMATION MEMO FOR THE SECRETARY ELBTIE)AA(01.88 FROM: — WHA -~ Arturo A. Valenzuela SUBJECT: Allegations about Anti-Gun Running Operation Fast and Furious Complicate Relations with Mexico pgcontROLLED Operation Fast and Furious was a multi-agency, U.S. government law enforcement operation carried out in the United States that led to the dismantling of an arms smuggling ring, the arrest of 20 people, and the seizure of hundreds of firearms intended for Mexican drug cartels. An indictment announced in January 2011 charged that the 20 defendants acted as straw purchasers, conspiring to purchase weapons in the United States, including AK-47s, for illegal export to Mexico. 1.4(0) B1 B7(E) However, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) agent has. alleged his superiors intentionally allowed some weapons to be transported to Mexico under Fast and Furious to build a bigger case against the arms smugglers. CBS News reported the tactic of allowing guns to cross illegally into Mexico has been used in other operations, dating as far back as 2008; These allegations have set off a media and political outcry in Mexico, with heavy criticism of the operation and vituperative charges of U.S. government complicity in trafficking weapons to Mexico. The Mexican Senate announced an inquiry and the Mexican government has sent a diplomatic note seeking further information. In light of the media firestorm, the Mexican Prosecutor General’s Office issued a press release on March 10 stating while it was aware of the anti-gun operation, it had no knowledge that weapons were being smuggled into Mexico under any program. Attorney General Holder has stated publicly that allowing weapons to cross the border is unacceptable and has asked the Department of Justice Inspector General to conduct an investigation. We understand ATF is also mounting an ~CONFIDENFAE— Classified by WHA Assistant Seeretany-ahrture-*AVateneueta— UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2016-07853 Doc No. C06478939 Date: 08/02/2018