Overview of Land and History 27are of indigenous origins who dress like poor Westerners and
whose culture is a hybrid of ancient and modern customs.
Colonel Alex Alipaz, Fidel’s boss, has told him that it will
not be necessary to inspect the plane. It is a shipment of
artisanry, furniture and statuettes.
Fidel knows his job description: take the dogs to sniff the
cargo. He also knows that he has received an order from his
superior to not do so; two opposite currents fl ow through
his naive mind.
The fi rst tells him to inspect the cargo anyway, to do his job.
There is Law 1008, which automatically imprisons anyone
who is suspected of complicity in the drug trade. No due
process. No trial required.
The second possibility seems more threatening to him.
He has understood, between the lines, during various
conversations with superiors, that his life or job would be in
danger if he were to disobey orders.
Fidel’s limited schooling would not have allowed for
analytical nuances required for any possible third, more
complex decision, had there been one. He decides to follow
his immediate orders, to keep his dogs far from the plane.
The plane takes off, but is later forced to land in Peru,
where it is searched. Among the boxes of artisanry, is a
shipment of 4,176 kg (9,206 lbs) of cocaine.
Arrested is Luis Amado Pacheco, alias Barbaschoca.
Amado Pacheco had been warned in advance, through
contacts, that his plane was going to be forced to land in
Peru. So confi dent was he that a customary coima (bribe)
would provide him protection that he saw no need to hide
or escape. But this time, a short circuit in the payoff network
leads to his arrest.
Amado Pacheco is a resident of the exclusive south La
Paz neighbourhood of Calacoto, an enclave of the oligarchy.
Like Fidel Flores, Amado Pacheco is married with children.
The difference between his and Fidel’s neighbourhood is
striking. El Alto is 762 m (2,500 ft) higher than Calacoto. In
El Alto: grinding, frigid nights and plumbing out of order. In
Calacoto: large, warm mansions equipped with the latest in
modern conveniences.