Pubdate: Sat, 02 Feb 2002
Source: Kentucky Post (KY)
Copyright: 2002 Kentucky Post
Contact:  http://www.kypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/661
Author: Paul A. Long

DRUG COURIERS SHIFT TO HIGHWAYS

At least one group of air travelers has cut back on flying since Sept. 11: 
couriers who once used the skies to deliver drugs of all sorts to Greater 
Cincinnati.

Federal and state officials, attorneys and police officers all say that the 
number of arrests and the amount of drugs seized at Cincinnati/Northern 
Kentucky International Airport has dropped noticeably since increased 
security measures were instituted.

The logical inference, they say, is that the greater likelihood of a random 
search of baggage - both checked and carry-on - has scared drug runners away.

But officials caution that dealers haven't given up.

They have simply shifted to the highways and even to the mail to ship large 
quantities of cocaine, heroin and marijuana into the area.

"I think it's fair to say, given the increased security, we're seeing fewer 
drug courier s using the airports to carry drugs," said Gregory Van 
Tatenhove, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

The change in their methods "pos ses a greater challenge for law 
enforcement. We'll have to re-double our efforts, because it's still 
getting in here."

It certainly is, said Jim Paine, the director of the Northern Kentucky Drug 
Strike Force, which concentrates on street-level sales.

"I haven't seen any changes," said Paine.

"If anything, our workload has increased."

It is possible, officials admit, that couriers have gotten smarter going 
through the airport and are hiding their drugs better.

But they don't think that's the case for two reasons:

One is that more bags are being searched -- and while drugs aren't the 
prime f ocus of the increased security, an agent who finds a bag of cocaine 
in someone's luggage will call in airport police to deal with it.

And second is that those who patrol the highways are reporting an increase 
in dr ug runners -- particularly those who are carrying large sums of cash, 
suspected of being used in drug transactions.

Just last week, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officers in Franklin, on the 
Kentucky- Tennessee border, became suspicious of a trucker who said he was 
hauling an empty trailer from California to Indiana. When they searched his 
truck, they said, they found nearly 60 pounds of cocaine and $600,000, 
believed to be the largest drug bust ever on Kentucky highways.

The officers are much more aware of the potential of drug runners to use 
the highways, said Maj. David Herald, head of special operations for the 
enforcement division.

"They're doing a better job of interviewing," Herald said. "I think better 
investigations are being done at the roadside - they're asking more 
questions and finding out what's happening."

Those who defend drug traffickers in court said their clients aren't 
entirely stupid. If they see more searches and more police at the airport, 
they'll simply look for other ways to transport drugs.

David Fessler, who often represents those charged with drug trafficking 
offenses from the airport that wind up in federal court, said he has seen a 
big drop in the number of cases in the past few months. Steve Howe, another 
defense attorney, said ever since airport security required definitive 
identification of all passengers, drug smugglers have looked for other ways 
to transport their wares.

"It would seem to me that with all the stepped-up security at the airport, 
those inclined to bring drugs illegally through the airport are not doing 
so now," Fessler said. "I'm sure there's another way they are getting here."

Authorities caution that they don't have any numbers yet to back up their 
suspicions of less drug traffic at the airport. And Police Chief Chuck 
Melville said they haven't wiped out drug trafficking.

"Airport interdiction had been successful to a degree," Melville said. "We 
see a move toward highways and shipping (drugs) through freight carriers."

But that trend began even before Sept. 11 and the increased airport 
security that followed. And while dealers may be steering clear of the 
airport, Melville said, people still are trying to sneak a few ounces of 
pot into their suitcases to take back home.

"We've made some good cases, and we have seen a decline in the number of 
people flying in with large amounts of drugs," he said. "We're still 
finding drugs, but they're more on the user level."
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