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Senator Charles
Schumer met with President Obama’s new “drug czar” last week,
seeking to designate Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence
Counties as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.
Seattle Police Chief
Gil Kerlikowske was tapped recently to be Director of the White
House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Schumer is asking
him to approve the “high density” designation for an area which he
says is in dire need of federal resources.
“I’ll be proud to
support him for drug czar,” Schumer said. “But one of his first
tasks when he takes the job should be protecting New York’s citizens
by giving high density designation to Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson
and St. Lawrence Counties.”
As a former chief of
police in Buffalo, Kerlikowske assured Schumer that he understands
the drug problem New York faces. “I remain concerned about drug
issues in New York,” Kerlikowske said.
The drug czar has
final say in the decision.
Schumer says
smugglers consistently take advantage of the North Country’s border
with Canada, primarily moving hydroponic marijuana into New York
State through entry points in each of the four counties.
“The marijuana is
then transported downstate to Syracuse through Albany,” Schumer said
in a press release. “Cocaine and heroin also pose significant
threats.”
There are 16 entry
points between the four counties, three of which are among the most
active points along the United States’ northern border. 17 airports
also exist in that zone, as well as shipping harbors along the St.
Lawrence River.
The Akwesasne Mohawk
Nation straddles the border along a sizable piece of land in
Franklin County.
High-density status
sends federal funds to designated areas to develop partnerships
between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. the
program also aims to eliminate duplication of services, allowing for
more efficient law enforcement.
The application for
high density designation awaits Kerlikowske, who will take over the
Office of National Drug Control Policy sometime in the coming weeks.
-Chris Morris, 4-2-09
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