Obama Budget to Cut Up to $1.5 Million Used to Stop Trafficking U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday he would fight "tooth-and-nail" to get up to $1.5 million restored to the federal budget, funds that help support a network that supplies intelligence on drug trafficking at the Canadian border to authorities in several counties, including Albany. The Obama administration's budget for fiscal 2011 slashes funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program aimed at curbing drug sales and related violence in regions throughout the state and the nation, Schumer said. [continues 381 words]
In 1985, DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in Guadalajara, Mexico by drug traffickers. The 37-year-old Camarena was close to exposing a multibillion dollar drug pipeline operated by Mexico's biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers, whom he had tracked for 4 years. He was en route to meet his wife, Mika, for lunch on Feb. 7, 1985, when five armed men surrounded him, threw him into a car and sped off. Camarena's death made such an impact on the agency and his friends in his hometown of Calexico, Calif., that it was the impetus for the National Red Ribbon Campaign that runs in late October each year. [continues 284 words]
Albany -- Gary Domalewicz seeks vote in County Legislature on bill allowing seizure of cash, vehicles from suspects A county lawmaker is pushing to get a controversial law through the legislature today would allow authorities to seize cash and vehicles from drug suspects arrested on misdemeanor charges. But some county legislators oppose the bill, claiming it's unconstitutional. Albany Democrat Gary Domalewicz has lobbied Democratic and Republican members of the Albany County Legislature in hopes of securing the simple majority, or 20 votes, needed to pass the new local law. [continues 554 words]
Albany -- Law would expand confiscation of goods in drug cases The Albany County Legislature is considering adopting a law allowing authorities to seize cash and vehicles from drug suspects arrested on misdemeanor charges. The measure, being pushed by Albany Democrat Gary Domalewicz, would allow cops to seize up to $1,000 in cash and $5,000 in other property. Currently, seizures above the $1,000 and $5,000 thresholds -- including real estate assets -- are provided under federal asset forfeiture laws in all drug cases, including misdemeanors. [continues 705 words]
