Pubdate: Fri, 08 Mar 2002
Source: Monroe News-Star (LA)
Copyright: 2002 The News-Star, Gannett
Contact:   http://www.thenewsstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1644
Note: letters must include name, address & daytime telephone number.  Limit 
250 words.  Correspondence without return address will not be opened.
Author: Chuck Cannon, General Assignment Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?203 (Terrorism)

DA: WARS ON DRUGS, TERRORISTS THE SAME

Fourth District Attorney Jerry Jones has asked the Ouachita Parish Office 
of Emergency Preparedness to include drug interdiction as part of its 
anti-terrorism training.

In a letter to Tom Malmay, director of the Ouachita Parish Office of 
Emergency Preparedness, Jones said the terms "terrorist" and "terrorism" 
should include those who traffic in drugs and narcotics.

"From media sources, it seems obvious to me that the major terrorist groups 
operate in this country and elsewhere on proceeds from the end sales of 
drugs and narcotics," Jones said in the letter. "One of the best and most 
efficient ways to counter this nuisance from drug sales is to try to 
suppress such activities on a local level."

Jones said he hopes future anti-terrorism training will include officers 
from Metro Narcotics Unit in Ouachita Parish.

"They (Metro) have the expertise and should be included in any 
anti-terrorism training," Jones said Wednesday. "Who else better to combat 
terrorists than those who work undercover with drug dealers on a daily basis."

Metro Narcotics Commander Hank Smith said his unit would welcome the 
additional training.

"We always want to stay fresh and abreast of new ideas," Smith said. "We've 
got 11 young, energetic guys who are some of the best narcotics agents in 
the business and want to stay that way."

Smith said additional training would have to be scheduled around Metro's 
work schedule.

"We don't work typical 9-to-5 or eight-hour shifts," Smith said. "We work 
the same schedules the drug dealers work."

Malmay said the letter he received from Jones came as no surprise.

"We had been anticipating the letter," Malmay said. "I've prepared a 
document for review that incorporates what Mr. Jones asked about and 
forwarded it to local elected officials and my supervisor in Baton Rouge 
for review."

Malmay said his office's role is to provide training options to officials.

As for tying drug sales to terrorism, Malmay said one need look no further 
than the news to see the connection.

"Last year when Bonita had to be evacuated that was because of drug 
dealers," Malmay said. "And I saw last week where drug dealers were busted 
and had assault weapons with them. Both of those events could be described 
as terrorist-related."

Bonita was evacuated Oct. 1 when someone tapped an anhydrous ammonia tank 
and caused a leak. Anhydrous ammonia is used to make fertilizer and is the 
main ingredient in most methamphetamine recipes. 
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager