Pubdate: Mon, 27 Oct 2003
Source: Saipan Tribune (MP)
Copyright: 2003 Saipan Tribune
Contact:  http://www.saipantribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2666
Author: John Ravelo

TAXI GROUP ASSURES DRUG-FREE STATUS OF MEMBERS

Forty-one-year-old Amir Hossain has been operating a taxicab unit on Saipan
for about 14 years. For over a decade, he has witnessed changes in the taxi
industry, including the increase in the number of operators island-wide.

Hossain, who is from Bangladesh, said he has heard about some taxi drivers
being involved in the illegal drug trade. "But we cannot pinpoint who's
doing that. That's difficult," he added.

When he began operating his own taxi unit in 1989, he recalled that there
were only about 20 to 30 operators on the island. Thus, he said operators
knew each other, even citing a name of a former comrade in the industry, who
authorities pinned down for involvement in the illegal drug trade.

To date, Hossain estimates the number of taxi operators to have exceeded
200. The situation makes it difficult to identify who are involved in the
drug trade-besides the illicit nature of such transactions.

Jess Delos Santos, a part-time taxi driver, also knew the same man Hossain
claimed to be involved in drugs, but expressed doubts about the current
involvement of taxi drivers in the illegal drug trade, as alleged in a
recent report by the National Drug Intelligence Center.

The NDIC's report claimed that organized Asian crime syndicates engaged in
drug distribution and money laundering-such as the Japanese crime group
Yakuza-have penetrated the CNMI and typically recruit taxi drivers as retail
distributors of crystal methamphetamine or ice. As they become familiar with
their buyers, Japanese criminals distribute ice themselves.

For Hossain, the NDIC report should be a cause for concern. A member of the
Rainbow Taxi Association, he said the negative image it brings to the CNMI
would affect its tourism-reliant economy and the taxi industry.

"We want something to be done because the taxi industry is dying," he said,
also citing other problems the industry is facing.

He said association members would be willing to cooperate with authorities
if they know of information about the involvement of taxi drivers in the
illegal trade.

As for its approximately 40 members, Hossain said all have undergone drug
tests. He said the association requires this to ensure that no member is
hooked on drugs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration set up a task force with local
authorities in 1996 to combat illicit drugs in the CNMI. By Feb. 2002, the
DEA/CNMI Task Force had arrested a total of 122 individuals and seized 25.0
kg of crystal methamphetamine, 9.8 kg of marijuana, 17.5 kg of heroin, 14.0
oz of cocaine, and 1.4 oz of LSD.

The task force has arrested David Tanaka Diaz, who was convicted on drug
trafficking charges in connection with one of the biggest drug seizures in
the CNMI. Upon his arrest over two years ago, police reported that the task
force confiscated over 170 grams of ice from Diaz.

U.S. Attorney Leonardo Rapadas had said the curtailment of illegal drug
trade in the Marianas is one of his priorities.

The CNMI Attorney General's Office has also declared war against owners of
marijuana plantations, conducting a series of raids earlier this year.
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