PROBLEMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ITS EFFORT TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IN SOUTH FLORIDA - REPORT OF THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL, 95TH CONGRESS, 2ND SESSION, AUGUST 1978

• NCJ Number: 60047
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 22 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

HEARINGS CONDUCTED BY THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL IN 1978 REVEAL THAT THE EXTENT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IN SOUTH FLORIDA IS OVERWHELMING.

Abstract

COMMITTEE INVESTIGATORS REPORTED AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IN MARIHUANA AND COCAINE FROM SOUTH AMERICA, PRINCIPALLY FROM COLOMBIA, BY EVERY CONCEIVABLE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING TRAWLERS, PLEASURE BOATS, CRUISE SHIPS, AIRCRAFT, AND COURIER. SEIZURES OF MARIHUANA AT THE MIAMI AIRPORT HAD QUADRUPLED FROM 1977 TO 1978 AND ALMOST DAILY TONS OF MARIHUANA AND KILOS OF COCAINE WERE INTERDICTED, YET TESTIMONY MADE IT CLEAR THESE SEIZURES WERE ONLY THE TIP OT THE ICEBERG. DESPITE HEROIC EFFORTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, THE COMMITTEE ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN 5 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL CONTRABAND COMING INTO SOUTH FLORIDA WAS SEIZED PRIOR TO THE HEARINGS. THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT FORTUNES WERE BEING BUILT ON THE DRUG TRADE AND THAT MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CASH WERE BEING DIVERTED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM TO THE MIAMI DISTRICT TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE ILLICIT DRUG TRADE. DUE TO LACK OF MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES, FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THIS TREMENDOUS FLOW OF NARCOTICS. THE COMMITTEE MADE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM: (1) A WHITE HOUSE REVIEW BOARD SHOULD BE SET UP TO COORDINATE LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS; (2) SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES SHOULD BE FORMED TO IMPLEMENT FEDERAL AGENCY JOINT OPERATIONS; (3) MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND SUPPLIES SHOULD BE UTILIZED; (4) INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY TO PROSECUTE COLUMBIAN NATIONALS; (5) REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO ALLEVIATE THE DISPARITY OF LIGHT SENTENCING OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS IN THE REGION; (6) REVIEW AND MODIFICATION OF CURRENT U. S. LEGISLATION SHOULD BE MADE TO CONTROL TERRITORIAL WATERS AND EQUATE DRUG SMUGGLING WITH PIRACY AND SLAVERY; AND (7) A TOTAL REVIEW OF EQUIPMENT AND MANPOWER UTILIZED IN ANTINARCOTICS ACTIVITIES AND THE ORGANIZATION OF A FULL-TIME FLORIDA NARCOTICS STRIKE FORCE SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ALSO MADE TO EXECUTIVE AGENCIES. STATISTICS ARE CITED. (MJW)