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Despite my expressed concern this morning about the preference given to some CARICOM countries versus the lack of preference given to most (in the newest international travel issue), the fact is that after all is said and done, such preference by the European powers is probably understandable. Unfair? Yes, it certainly is unfair because most citizens of Jamaica and other CARICOM states are law abiding people. At the same time, however, such preferential treatment is probably easily explained.
Take, for instance, the seeming obsession by some Jamaicans with importing marijuana and other drugs into other countries. The only result of stupidity such as that chronicled in the Sunday Gleaner story below is that, instead of relaxing travel restrictions, we Jamaicans will almost certainly face increasingly greater travel restrictions from more and more countries. Already there are discriminatory immigration policies in the region targeting Jamaicans and Guyanese, while Haitians need visas to enter most CARICOM countries. The fact is that countries, regardless of regional bloc arrangements, will not hesitate to protect their interests!
Drug mules increase as economic crisis worsens
Published: Sunday | February 22, 2009
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
Wilson
THE NARCOTICS police are reporting that more people are attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country as the economic crisis deepens.
"Drug-smuggling is a lucrative business and with the economic meltdown, more couriers are trying to move drugs out in small portions," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Carlton Wilson, head of the Narcotics Division, told The Sunday Gleaner.
The cops have arrested more than 670 persons allegedly involved in drug-smuggling since the start of this year.
That list includes alleged drug courier Tashomer Clarke, who was held last week.
compressed ganja
Reports are that Clarke was nabbed at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) last Tuesday with seven pounds of compressed ganja, parcelled out into 10 packages, while en route to Antigua.
"He told the police that the drug was given to him by a port security guard," SSP Wilson told The Sunday Gleaner.
According to the police, all the guards on the shift were called up and Wayne Frater, of a Franklyn Town address, was identified as the guard who had given Clarke the drugs.
When a room at the airport, which the guards occupied, was searched, the police found another 23 pounds of compressed ganja.
Also on Tuesday, reports out of Miami were that United States Customs and Border Protection officials found 3,428 pounds of compressed ganja on a cargo ship, which had left Jamaica days before.
"We are aware of the seizure in Miami, but I cannot make any comment on that now, because the investigation from our side continues," SSP Wilson said.
Indications are, said Wilson, more people are attempting to smuggle drugs through the island's two international airports.
"In light of this, we have implemented some stringent measures to catch the perpetrators," said SSP Wilson.
generate income
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Karen Richards is not surprised by the increase in the number of persons attempting to traffic illegal drugs.
She states that people are feeling the pinch of the economic depression and are going to do other things to generate an income.
"Some may choose drug-smuggling because it is not a brutal crime," commented Richards. "People need to take care of their bills, so they are going to examine other alternatives, and drugs maybe the choice for some of them," said Richards.
The narcotics police display packages of compressed ganja.-File
Drug arrests & seizures
According to police statistics, 7,057 drug smugglers, dealers and users were arrested last year by narcotics detectives.
This was 1,561 more than the 5,496 persons arrested in 2007. The items seized from drug dealers last year included 35,507 kilograms of ganja, 75 motor vehicles and a number of small fishing boats.
Take, for instance, the seeming obsession by some Jamaicans with importing marijuana and other drugs into other countries. The only result of stupidity such as that chronicled in the Sunday Gleaner story below is that, instead of relaxing travel restrictions, we Jamaicans will almost certainly face increasingly greater travel restrictions from more and more countries. Already there are discriminatory immigration policies in the region targeting Jamaicans and Guyanese, while Haitians need visas to enter most CARICOM countries. The fact is that countries, regardless of regional bloc arrangements, will not hesitate to protect their interests!
Drug mules increase as economic crisis worsens
Published: Sunday | February 22, 2009
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
Wilson
THE NARCOTICS police are reporting that more people are attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country as the economic crisis deepens.
"Drug-smuggling is a lucrative business and with the economic meltdown, more couriers are trying to move drugs out in small portions," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Carlton Wilson, head of the Narcotics Division, told The Sunday Gleaner.
The cops have arrested more than 670 persons allegedly involved in drug-smuggling since the start of this year.
That list includes alleged drug courier Tashomer Clarke, who was held last week.
compressed ganja
Reports are that Clarke was nabbed at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) last Tuesday with seven pounds of compressed ganja, parcelled out into 10 packages, while en route to Antigua.
"He told the police that the drug was given to him by a port security guard," SSP Wilson told The Sunday Gleaner.
According to the police, all the guards on the shift were called up and Wayne Frater, of a Franklyn Town address, was identified as the guard who had given Clarke the drugs.
When a room at the airport, which the guards occupied, was searched, the police found another 23 pounds of compressed ganja.
Also on Tuesday, reports out of Miami were that United States Customs and Border Protection officials found 3,428 pounds of compressed ganja on a cargo ship, which had left Jamaica days before.
"We are aware of the seizure in Miami, but I cannot make any comment on that now, because the investigation from our side continues," SSP Wilson said.
Indications are, said Wilson, more people are attempting to smuggle drugs through the island's two international airports.
"In light of this, we have implemented some stringent measures to catch the perpetrators," said SSP Wilson.
generate income
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Karen Richards is not surprised by the increase in the number of persons attempting to traffic illegal drugs.
She states that people are feeling the pinch of the economic depression and are going to do other things to generate an income.
"Some may choose drug-smuggling because it is not a brutal crime," commented Richards. "People need to take care of their bills, so they are going to examine other alternatives, and drugs maybe the choice for some of them," said Richards.
The narcotics police display packages of compressed ganja.-File
Drug arrests & seizures
According to police statistics, 7,057 drug smugglers, dealers and users were arrested last year by narcotics detectives.
This was 1,561 more than the 5,496 persons arrested in 2007. The items seized from drug dealers last year included 35,507 kilograms of ganja, 75 motor vehicles and a number of small fishing boats.
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