Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jan 2008
Source: Dominican Today (Dominican Republic)
Copyright: 2008 Dominican Today
Contact: http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/contact.aspx
Website: http://www.dominicantoday.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4101
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

DRUG TRAFFICKING'S RISE IS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC'S MAIN THREAT, DEPUTY SAYS

SANTO DOMINGO.- The deputy Pelegrin Castillo yesterday said the 
increase in drug trafficking poses a threat against freedom and the 
economy in general, and blamed the rise in domestic violence, 
assaults, and social decay.

The legislator said drug trafficking's rise also threatens the 
country's tourism development, which forces Dominican Republic to 
protect against an image of a state incapable of fighting drug 
trafficking by means interception planes and ships that use the 
country as a bridge for their criminal activity.

According to the country's antinarcotics authorities, more than 200 
drug trafficking flights occur annually, which violate the airspace 
and drop more than 80,000 kilos of cocaine, as well as an unknown 
amount from boats.

Castillo said the country's law enforcement agencies lack a radar 
system, airplanes, boats and the coordination needed battle drug 
trafficking. He said to fight it he has submitted legislation which 
establishes the downing of planes which enter Dominican territory, if 
after several warnings they fail to identify themselves and state the 
reason for their incursion.

He said the bill, approved in the lower Chamber, is now pending in the Senate.

Castillo's concern is shared by National Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) 
president Rafael Ramirez, who called drug trafficking humanity's 
worse evil, equal only to international terrorism. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake