Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 Source: Dominican Today (Dominican Republic) Copyright: 2009 Dominican Today Contact: http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/contact.aspx Website: http://www.dominicantoday.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4101 DOMINICAN DRUG CONTROL CHIEF "MERCILESS" WITH DRUG TRAFFICKERS Santo Domingo.- The president of the National Drug Control Department (DNCD) has issued a firm warning to international drug traffickers and their associates in the country, saying they would receive a "merciless response" from the DNCD and the Joint Task Force created by presidential decree to monitor national territory. Major General Gilberto Delgado Valdez described drug trafficking as one of the most worrying problems the country is facing. He added that for this reason, president Leonel Fernandez had decided to create a structure aimed at providing a convincing response to anyone trying to use the country as a bridge or trans-shipment point. Delgado Valdez made these comments during a speech at a ceremony establishing the first Joint Task Force group at Barahona's Maria Montes International Airport yesterday. Several airplanes and boats will be used to control drug trafficking in the area. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart