United Nations General Assembly Hall. The Soviets used the UN as a front for espionage. Photo by Patrick Gruban / CC BY-SA 2.0.
In the 1970s, the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was at its peak, with both superpowers engaged in a relentless battle of espionage and counterespionage. One of the most significant counterespionage operations undertaken by the FBI during this period was Operation Lemon Aid. This operation not only exposed Soviet spy activities but also provided invaluable insights into Soviet espionage techniques.
Operation Lemon Aid
Operation Lemon Aid began in the spring of 1977 when the FBI and the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) recruited Lieutenant Commander Art Lindberg, a U.S. Navy officer, to act as a double agent. Lindberg, who was nearing retirement and had access to sensitive information, was seen as an ideal candidate to deceive the Soviets into believing he would sell secrets for cash.
Lindberg, operating under the alias “Ed,” began communicating with Soviet agents who were using their United Nations office as a front for espionage activities. The Soviets, believing they had successfully recruited Lindberg, sent him numerous letters and instructions, often in stilted English. These communications provided the FBI with a wealth of information about Soviet spy craft in the 1970s.
The Soviets employed various methods to pass messages and money to Lindberg. These included using everyday items such as magnetic key holders, cigarette packs, soda cans, orange juice cartons, and even a rubber hose from an appliance. Most of the pre-arranged “dead drop” sites, where secrets were supposed to be exchanged, were located along the busy New Jersey Turnpike.
By May 1978, the FBI had gathered enough evidence to make arrests. They decided to set a trap by giving Lindberg five canisters containing actual classified materials. The plan was to catch the Soviets red-handed. On May 20, 1978, Lindberg approached a drop site on a back road, picked up a can labeled “Ann Page Bartlett Pears,” and dropped off the canisters. Hiding inside the trunk of Lindberg’s car were two FBI agents, with many other agents waiting nearby.
Soon after the drop, the FBI arrested two covert KGB officers, Valdik Enger and Rudolf Chernyayev, both Soviet employees of the UN Secretariat, A third Soviet at the scene, Vladimir Zinyakin, third secretary at the Soviet Mission to the United Nations, had diplomatic immunity and was later expelled from the country. Enger and Chernyayev were the first Soviet officials to ever stand trial for espionage in the United States. Both were convicted and ultimately exchanged for five Soviet dissidents.
Final Thoughts
Operation Lemon Aid was one of the most important counter-espionage cases of the decade. It provided the FBI with critical insights into Soviet espionage techniques and helped improve U.S. counter-intelligence operations. The operation also highlighted the effectiveness of using double agents to expose and disrupt enemy spy networks.
Operation Lemon Aid showcases the ingenuity and determination of the FBI and the Naval Investigative Service in their efforts to protect national security. The successful execution of this operation not only thwarted Soviet espionage activities but also reinforced the importance of vigilance and innovation in the ongoing battle against espionage.
Resource
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI.gov