NewsWhore
06-08-2011, 03:50 PM
The argument over the use of funds obtained from assets seized in drug busts continues. Speaking to Hoy reporter Sorange Batista, Major General Rolando Rosado Mateo, of the National Drug Control Department (DNCD), denied that any agreement had been reached with the Attorney General over the disposition of the money. This opinion was echoed by Mabel Feliz of the National Drug Council.
On Monday the general told Diario Libre that it would be absurd to make any change in the law that distributes the resources from the seizures, especially since the drug agency had to deal with a RD$1.5 million operating deficit each month.
In an 11-page letter sent to Attorney General Radhames Jimenez Pena, Rosado Mateo set out his position and said that the 50% reduction in the funds would result in the "coup de grace" for the DNCD.
The DNCD chief said that he could never be in agreement with the "draconian resolution" that seeks to change the percentages of the distribution of these funds that were intended for the DNCD just because the Attorney General "wanted them".
He vehemently denied that there had been an agreement with Jimenez Pena to modify Law72-02 on Asset Laundering.
The general also referred to the problems currently affecting the National Police due to a lack of income. Referring to paragraph 1 of the proposed change in the law which says that if other international agencies are involved in any drug investigation, then 25% of the proceeds go to the Attorney General, 25% go to the National Drug Council, 25% go to the DNCD, 15% go to NGOs and 10% go to the Sports Ministry, the general says this is nonsense since 90% of all drug cases involve some international agencies (US DEA, ICE, FBI etc. or agencies from other countries).
Rosado Mateo suggested that the DNCD might concede 10% and remain at 40% of the proceeds from seized assets, saying: "We prefer to see our income reduced rather than to continue suffering from a lack of order and the failure to comply with the current laws."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)
On Monday the general told Diario Libre that it would be absurd to make any change in the law that distributes the resources from the seizures, especially since the drug agency had to deal with a RD$1.5 million operating deficit each month.
In an 11-page letter sent to Attorney General Radhames Jimenez Pena, Rosado Mateo set out his position and said that the 50% reduction in the funds would result in the "coup de grace" for the DNCD.
The DNCD chief said that he could never be in agreement with the "draconian resolution" that seeks to change the percentages of the distribution of these funds that were intended for the DNCD just because the Attorney General "wanted them".
He vehemently denied that there had been an agreement with Jimenez Pena to modify Law72-02 on Asset Laundering.
The general also referred to the problems currently affecting the National Police due to a lack of income. Referring to paragraph 1 of the proposed change in the law which says that if other international agencies are involved in any drug investigation, then 25% of the proceeds go to the Attorney General, 25% go to the National Drug Council, 25% go to the DNCD, 15% go to NGOs and 10% go to the Sports Ministry, the general says this is nonsense since 90% of all drug cases involve some international agencies (US DEA, ICE, FBI etc. or agencies from other countries).
Rosado Mateo suggested that the DNCD might concede 10% and remain at 40% of the proceeds from seized assets, saying: "We prefer to see our income reduced rather than to continue suffering from a lack of order and the failure to comply with the current laws."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)