Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jan 2002
Source: Miami Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2002 The Miami Herald
Contact:  http://www.herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/262
Author: Tere Figueras

NATIONAL GUARD ANTI-DRUG TEAM FACES LAYOFFS

Facing an unexpected budget shortfall, the Florida National Guard's 
anti-drug team could be cut by almost half by the end of the month -- the 
bulk of the layoffs affecting efforts in South Florida.

Soldiers assigned to the agency's counter-drug program are charged with 
searching hulls and cargoes of ships at the state's ports, including the 
Port of Miami. They also train local law enforcement agencies.

An expected $2.5 million shortfall in federal funding could force the 
Florida National Guard to trim 70 active-duty positions by Jan. 31 -- 
roughly 45 percent of its 156 member staff charged with helping U.S. 
Customs and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"We provide the manpower," said Jon Myatt, spokesman for the Florida 
Department of Military Affairs, the agency that manages the Florida 
National Guard. "We inspect the hulls of ships, climb inside the carriers 
looking for signs of contraband and drugs. We're the extra set of hands and 
eyes for law enforcement and customs."

Of the positions expected to be eliminated, most are pegged to anti-drug 
efforts in South Florida. That includes 43 guardsman who inspect cargo at 
the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport and the elimination of 
eight positions providing intelligence analysis and linguistics for the DEA 
in Miami and Jacksonville. Another eight guardsman who analyze intelligence 
in Miramar and other parts of the state are also facing layoffs.

"It's going to be tough to lose those soldiers," Myatt said. 
"Unfortunately, drug traffickers don't go away."

Florida accounted for 67 percent of cocaine seizures in fiscal year 1998, 
according to the U.S. Customs Service. Miami alone accounted for 49 percent 
of the seizures.

"It's the National Guard that's doing a lot of the labor intensive 
man-hours. When you take them away from the equation, you're able to check 
fewer shipments," said James McDonough, Florida's drug czar.

"You lose both the physical on-site inspection and the deterrent factor 
once you begin moving them from the docks," he said. "It's a big hit."

Port Everglades has had National Guard assistance in drug interdiction 
previously, but the port hasn't had any soldiers serving in that role for 
some time, said Ellen Kennedy, the public information director for the port.

Port officials are eager to have the soldiers back to assist the U.S. 
Customs inspectors and other federal, state and county law enforcement 
agencies involved in anti-drug activities at the port, Kennedy said.

But chances of expanding the program this year look slim.

"This took everyone by surprise," said Paul Anderson, spokesman for Sen. 
Bob Graham, D-Fla. "We're very disappointed and want to avoid the layoffs."

Graham was one of several lawmakers who worked to get a $40 million 
increase for counterdrug programs included in the 2002 defense 
appropriations bill, which still awaits President Bush's signature. The 
money, however, was trimmed to $33 million -- then became earmarked for 
projects in a handful of states during a House-Senate conference, Anderson 
said.

Florida will receive some of the money slated for state projects: the 
National Guard will get a $3.1 million training facility in St. Petersburg.

"But it's for construction, not for personnel," Anderson said. Florida 
delegation staffers are scheduled to meet with National Guard officials 
today in Washington.

Herald staff writer Erika Bolstad contributed to this report, which was 
supplemented by The Associated Press.
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