Previous Story
Kilili lauds Customs Division for its anti-drug efforts
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan presents a congressional commendation yesterday to Division of Customs Director Jose Mafnas and Customs staff for their diligent work in fighting the war on crystal methamphetamine, or “ice” in the CNMI. (Dennis B. Chan)
“I am very grateful and happy. This is Congressman Kilili showing appreciation for our efforts at the ports of entry,” Customs director Jose Mafnas told reporters. “The Customs officers will be very happy that they are recognized for their efforts. It will push us to do our job more effectively.”
“I thank all of them,” Sablan said, also noting efforts of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and CNMI Department of Public Safety.
“I do acknowledge Customs because they are the ones who first made the interdiction. That’s very important,” Sablan added.
In July, Customs uncovered 12 kilos of ice in a 40-foot container from China. Mafnas said yesterday that the container was full of various violations, like pesticides, that he believed were meant to distract them from the 12 kilos of “ice”—an amount akin to a 25-lb bag of rice—that was hidden in an air compressor.
“When our law enforcement officers are able to prevent 12 kilos of crystal methamphetamine…from entering our community, we need to stop and say thank you,” Sablan said.
Sablan also recently introduced legislation in Congress to allow the CNMI governor or Secretary of the Army to establish a National Guard unit. That unit, Sablan said, could be a partner in fighting drugs.
“The nice thing about this is that the Department of the Army will pay for that additional cost. It will not cost the Commonwealth, [or] the National Guard operational budget itself. It will be money set aside just for this additional work.”
