MILITARY, LAW OFFICERS ARE CAUGHT IN FBI

[Alfa]

MILITARY, LAW OFFICERS ARE CAUGHT IN FBI DRUG STING


TUCSON, Ariz (AP) FBI agents posing as cocaine traffickers in Arizona caught 16 current and former U.S. soldiers and law enforcement personnel who took about $220,000 in bribes to help move the drugs through checkpoints, Justice Department officials said Thursday.


Those charged include a former Immigration and Naturalization Service inspector, a former Army sergeant, a former federal prison guard, current and former members of the Arizona Army National Guard and the state corrections department, and a Nogales police officer, officials said.


"Many individuals charged were sworn personnel having the task of protecting society and securing America's borders. The importance of these tasks cannot be overstated and we cannot tolerate, nor can the American people afford, this type of dereliction," FBI agent Jana D. Monroe, who directs the bureau's operations in Arizona, said during a news conference in Tucson.

[Solidly-here]

How do illegal drugs get into the USA? Help from Uncle Sam is one way.


I read in the newspapers about 90+% of the illegal drugs smuggled actually getting into the country (and out on the street). This is a pretty amazing statistic.


I suspected that the smugglers had OFFICIAL help in making the journey smooth and reliable. I mean, after all, (in the mind of this under-paid, under-appreciated guy, drowning in Alimony and Child Support): "What do I care if a few shipments of drugs get through, when my Life will be much better ... for me, for my kids, and for my credit rating?"


I would not put myself in the position where I could tempted like that (so, I stay completely out of Government service). But, in my mind, I am Just Sure I would NEVER do that. Uh huh. Yeah, sure. It's a lot easier to make the right decision, when you don't actually HAVE to make that decision (for real).


While I am sure (as one who has never been bribed to ignore a few Shipping Containers at the Long Beach terminal) that I would not do something this BIG, I am also sure that once-in-awhile in my life so far (and for the rest of it, too) I have allowed illegal (immoral, unethical) things to happen, and I turn away, nothing said ... forgotten.


If this person is a close family member, I remember that she isactually a very nice person (and that this part of her is just an abberation). Continuing the analogy: "Why do I need to destroy my relationship with my Sister, just because she allows a few Shipping Containers through?" Well, I don't. I won't. If the personal part of our relationship is strong and healthy, I see my Wonderful Sister: A great part of my life.


And, in my own life I have certainly done illegal things (for instance, buying drugs, and speeding on the freeway). I over-look my abberations. I am a kind person. Whatever I do in order to hold my life together ... it is just the means to live in gratitude.


Anyway, back to the story. I am surprised that more people haven't gotten caught for this behavior (and much more often). I guess it is just a case of the Supervisors (and investigators), saying: "This Wonderful Employee is obviously honest. Why should I break my back, trying to prove otherwise?"