NewsWhore
08-07-2008, 03:30 PM
This week's shooting of eight suspected drug traffickers has exposed deep-rooted concerns, especially among citizens and officials in Bani. Of the eight, only one person survived the massacre, after playing dead. According to Peravia Senator Wilton Guerrero, for years the National Police, the National Drug Control Department (DNCD) and state prosecutors (Public Ministry) have all aided in the growth of drug trafficking in the province. Guerrero says that, with some exceptions, all that the police do is charge a toll so that drug traffickers can move about freely. He says the Public Ministry has become little more than a drug, crime and prostitution entity in Peravia and that the District Attorneys are little more than workers for drug traffickers.
Guerrero said that the DNCD needs to be strengthened with better equipment and funding. As reported in Diario Libre, he says that drugs arrive by air and land, but many enter by sea because patrols have slacked off, and called on the Navy to reinstate the patrols to their former levels.
The government has appointed Roberto Lugo Betancourt as the new state prosecutor for the province, replacing Victor Cordero Jimenez, who resigned after the murders.
Residents in Bani are wary about commenting on the deaths for fear of retaliation. However, reports by Hoy indicate that citizens have been aware about the increased drug trafficking in the region for some time. According to witnesses, the beach at Playa de Sabana Ubero, located near Paya in Bani, is a main drop-off point for drugs. According to some, the beach has become a sanctuary for traffickers, with the authorities looking the other way.
Witnesses say the massacre victims had been staying at the house for weeks, but maintained a low profile, rarely socializing or bringing attention to themselves. According to Nori Carmona, a resident of Ojo de Agua, Peravia, the group was quiet and would occasionally be seen at night purchasing a beer or fried fish in an SUV and a pick-up truck. Carmona told Hoy that they were not suspected of being drug traffickers.
Monsignor Francisco Jose Arnaiz says that drug-fighting organizations are involved in trafficking and ultimately they are responsible for their consumption by the citizenry. The Monsignor says that because there is money involved and people don't want to end up dead it is almost impossible to ever diminish this evil.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)
Guerrero said that the DNCD needs to be strengthened with better equipment and funding. As reported in Diario Libre, he says that drugs arrive by air and land, but many enter by sea because patrols have slacked off, and called on the Navy to reinstate the patrols to their former levels.
The government has appointed Roberto Lugo Betancourt as the new state prosecutor for the province, replacing Victor Cordero Jimenez, who resigned after the murders.
Residents in Bani are wary about commenting on the deaths for fear of retaliation. However, reports by Hoy indicate that citizens have been aware about the increased drug trafficking in the region for some time. According to witnesses, the beach at Playa de Sabana Ubero, located near Paya in Bani, is a main drop-off point for drugs. According to some, the beach has become a sanctuary for traffickers, with the authorities looking the other way.
Witnesses say the massacre victims had been staying at the house for weeks, but maintained a low profile, rarely socializing or bringing attention to themselves. According to Nori Carmona, a resident of Ojo de Agua, Peravia, the group was quiet and would occasionally be seen at night purchasing a beer or fried fish in an SUV and a pick-up truck. Carmona told Hoy that they were not suspected of being drug traffickers.
Monsignor Francisco Jose Arnaiz says that drug-fighting organizations are involved in trafficking and ultimately they are responsible for their consumption by the citizenry. The Monsignor says that because there is money involved and people don't want to end up dead it is almost impossible to ever diminish this evil.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)