Customs wiser after Nevada conference

The Division of Customs came out from a week-long seminar on organized crime held in Las Vegas, Nevada with a better perspective on the activities of nefarious groups around the world.

Among the topics discussed during the assembly, which might prove applicable and pertinent to the CNMI, were a global update on Asian gangs and organized crime, narcotics smuggling, alien smuggling, gaming fraud investigations and arson and explosive investigations.

The Northern Marianas being a virtual melting pot of Asian nationalities could be a potential hotbed of Asian gang activity. Although, it has yet to rear its ugly head in the Commonwealth, the conference showed how serious the problem is in places like the US.

Last Christmas, customs official also intercepted a cache of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “ice” stashed in greeting cards. Observers have indicated a mark increase in use of the illegal drug in the island, and with the CNMI having no factories manufacturing the contraband, it is safe to say that merchandise is being smuggled from the outside.

Meanwhile, information on the ins and outs of gaming fraud investigations could prove handy to customs and police officials especially with the presence of casino and gaming facilities in Tinian.

However, custom officials were quite hesitant in sharing the modus operandi’s international crime groups employ to deceive authorities, as they know to well that they could be adopted by aspiring crooks.

However, aside from new techniques in fighting crime syndicates, Customs Director Jose M. Mafnas and Customs Enforcement Team Supervisor Lieutenant Patrick Tenorio also gained new friends during the conference.

Those friendships and new acquaintances would one day prove invaluable in tracing criminals and unearthing backgrounds of shady characters in the Commonwealth, according to Lieutenant Tenorio.

“The conference was also important because it gave us a chance to network with other law enforcement officials in other countries. Now we have a good chance of learning valuable information from our counterparts across the world,” Lieutenant Tenorio said.

Other topics discussed during the anti-crime meet included white-collar crimes like money laundering investigations, counterfeiting of access devices, bank and credit card investigations, financial investigations, insurance fraud investigations and high-tech theft investigations.

The 23rd International Asian Organized Crime Conference attracted more than 100 representatives from over 40 countries and territories. It ran from April 2-7, 2000.