NCJ Number
54205
Date Published
Unknown
Length
24 pages
Annotation
INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PARTICIPANTS IN THE AVIATION COMMUNITY, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS IN IDENTIFYING AIRCRAFT AND GROUND LOADING VEHICLES INVOLVED IN DRUG SMUGGLING.
Abstract
NEVADA, DUE TO ITS VASTNESS AND REMOTENESS, HAS BECOME A PREFERRED LANDING SITE FOR AIRCRAFT SMUGGLING CONTRABAND FROM MEXICO. WHILE ACCURATE DATA ON THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM DO NOT EXIST, U.S. CUSTOMS ESTIMATES THAT AS MANY AS 50 AIRCRAFT LOADS PER MONTH COME INTO NEVADA. SMUGGLING OPERATIONS INVOLVE A NUMBER OF LARGE, WELL-ORGANIZED GROUPS, MANY OF WHICH ARE CONTROLLED AND FINANCIALLY BACKED BY CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE STATE. THE COOPERATION OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR, THE PRIVATE PILOT, AND THE CONCERNED CITIZEN ARE IMPORTANT IN PROVIDING INFORMATION THAT CAN ASSIST IN APPREHENDING SMUGGLERS. IT IS NOTED THAT SMUGGLING DIRECTLY AFFECTS PRIVATE PILOTS THROUGH THREATS SUCH AS STOLEN PLANES. GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING OBSERVED AIRCRAFT, GROUND VEHICLES MEETING AIRCRAFT, AND THEIR OCCUPANTS TO DETERMINE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEIR BEING INVOLVED IN DRUG SMUGGLING INCLUDE POINTS TO WATCH FOR SUCH AS PILOTS WHO ARE RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THEIR PLANES AND WHO ARE VAGUE ABOUT ORIGIN OR DESTINATION, AIRCRAFT FLYING OR LANDING AFTER DARK WITHOUT LIGHTS, AND LOAD VEHICLES (E.G., CAMPERS, PICKUP TRUCKS) HAVING LARGE QUANTITIES OF FLARES OR ALL NEW CAMPING GEAR. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE PROVIDED WITH A CHECKLIST OF FACTORS THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEIR JURISDICTION BEING USED FOR AIR SMUGGLING. PHOTOGRAPHS AND IDENTIFICATION STATISTICS OF TYPICAL AIRCRAFT AND GROUND VEHICLES USED IN SMUGGLING ARE PROVIDED. PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN RELAYING INFORMATION TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES ARE INDICATED. (RCB)