Pubdate: Sat, 14 Apr 2001
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.uniontrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Author: Sandra Dibble, Staff Writer

TRAFFICKERS ARE GAINING STRENGTH IN DRUG TRADE, POLICE TELL PANEL

As Mexico-based drug traffickers grow stronger and better organized, U.S. 
law enforcement agencies must step up their efforts to stem the flow of 
illegal drugs across the border, a congressional subcommittee was told 
yesterday.

Top officials from federal, state and local agencies argued that increased 
resources are crucial, and that any attempts to cut funding would cripple 
their programs.

"We have not put enough resources into the policing of this issue in 
California," said Steve Staveley, director of the Division of Law 
Enforcement for the state's Department of Justice.

Staveley was among six members of the law enforcement community invited to 
testify at the field hearing held by U.S. Rep. Stephen Horn, R-Long Beach, 
and Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind. Both are members of the House Committee on 
Government Reform.

In more than three hours of testimony at the San Diego City Administration 
Building, the witnesses made a range of observations:

Confiscating drug traffickers' assets has become harder under a new law 
that curbs prosecutors' authority to seize homes, money, cars, boats and 
other property before trials begin.

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are cooperating in 
anti-drug efforts in Southern California, though all clamor for increased 
funding.

Quick to adapt, drug traffickers are now smuggling narcotics in smaller 
loads. "When big loads were easy to get through, they brought big loads," 
said Capt. Larry Moratto of the San Diego Police Department. "Now they 
shotgun it through with numerous cars carrying smaller amounts."

Funding for enforcement programs is at risk as other social problems, such 
as child abuse, compete for limited federal resources, Souter said.

"It's being implied in Congress that the enforcement, interdiction, 
eradication side has failed," Souder said. "The (Steven Soderbergh) movie 
'Traffic' is suggesting that maybe we ought to just give up on this stuff 
- -- that if we reduced demand a little bit, then maybe everything would take 
care of itself."

Staveley, director of California's Division of Law Enforcement, argued that 
the government must continue to focus on enforcement programs. "I don't 
know why we have to have an either-or question," Staveley said. "Demand 
reduction is a useful thing to do . . . but why do we have to give up the 
only effort that's been marginally successful?"

Other participants included the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Border 
Patrol, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Imperial County 
Sheriff's Department.

As a complement to the first panel, the congressmen heard from Roosevelt 
"Rosey" Grier, the former professional football player, and his San 
Diego-based group, Impact Urban America, which focuses on the spiritual and 
physical needs of inner city communities.

At Grier's side was Ken Blanchard, co-author of "The One-Minute Manager," 
who has joined forces with Impact Urban America.

"What we figured out," Grier said, "is that if we join ourselves together, 
not only with the government, but with the corporate community, the 
churches, we can really effect change."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D