In Aruba its not About the decrease in Tourism, but the Increase in Drugs

So what is the #1 money maker in Aruba, tourism or drugs? Can one only imagine the amount of cocaine, heroine, marijuana, XTC, etc that get through without being confiscated? How can an island have this type a problem when it is so small, confined and every one knows every one?

In the first 11 months of 2006, 3000 kilo cocaine was intercepted in Aruba.  This is 9 percent more than in the entire year of 2005.

In the report, Aruba is still being considered as a transfer place for drugs via airplane and cruise ship to the US; not so much to Europe.  Besides, it is remarkable that heroine is being mentioned as number one and cocaine as number two, while considering the amounts that were intercepted, you would expect the contrary.

The report in Amigoe states that there are known drug gangs on Aruba. That they are active and that drugs can be purchased at ones convenience. Exactly how is it possible that an island so small where everyone knows everyone that such things are can go on without the police or government’s knowledge? Aruba is only so big. There are only so many places to search and people to question, yet it continues.

The report states that drugs can easily be obtained at walking distance from the cruise terminal in Oranjestad, and is being offered to cruise tourists on a regular basis.

According to the report, there are indications that organized drug-gangs are active on the island.  A few drug dealers were arrested and sentenced in 2006. These drug dealers incite drug-couriers to the actual transportation.  There were 123 arrests in 2005, but the 2006 report does not mention a specific amount.

Aruba lies at the heart of the southern Caribbean, about two-and-a-half hours by air from Miami, Florida and within easy flying distance of other U.S. cities. The island is 19.6 miles long, and six miles across at its widest point, with a total area of 70 square miles.
Just l5 miles off the coast of Venezuela

The only reason why the US and DEA turns its head to this problem and pretends like they care about this issue is because Hugo Chavez sits 15 miles from the Aruba. What else is Aruba going to turn into or already has become now that tourism hit the skids? Its not like drugs and money laundering is something new, although the white sands, warm water and past flourishing economy certainly was nice cover.

The smuggling of drugs, money laundering and the related violence continue to be a threat for the islands of the Neth.Antilles and Aruba.  The authorities will rigorously continue with actions against drug-smugglers and money launderers to prevent that the islands become a refuge for illegal activities.

Is it any wonder why no one comes forward with information on Natalee Holloway. No one in Aruba comes forward with any information out of fear on the retaliatory consequences. Even when there is a reward involved.

Amigoe, March 8, 2007: More cocaine, but less heroine intercepted in Aruba 

American and Aruban authorities are working very close together on the control of drug related criminality.  The Coastguard for the Neth.Antilles and Aruba is also involved.

ORANJESTAD – In the first 11 months of 2006, 3000 kilo cocaine was intercepted in Aruba.  This is 9 percent more than in the entire year of 2005.  On the other hand, only 3 kilo heroine was intercepted versus 68 kilo in the year before.  That is stated in the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for 2006 that the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the American ministry of Foreign Affairs published last week. 

In the report for 2005, also 526 kilo marihuana and 38 XTC pills were mentioned, but nothing is mentioned about these in the 2006 report.  In 2006, the American immigration service and border patrol that reports to the Department of Homeland Security at the Reina Beatrix airport intercepted fewer narcotics with destination United States than they did in 2005.   The report states that drugs can easily be obtained at walking distance from the cruise terminal in Oranjestad, and is being offered to cruise tourists on a regular basis.  The cruise companies that have Aruba on their timetable have introduced strict measures to prevent crewmembers from establishing permanent drug routes to the United States.   

DRUG-GANGS

In the report, Aruba is still being considered as a transfer place for drugs via airplane and cruise ship to the US; not so much to Europe.  Besides, it is remarkable that heroine is being mentioned as number one and cocaine as number two, while considering the amounts that were intercepted, you would expect the contrary. 

According to the report, there are indications that organized drug-gangs are active on the island.  A few drug dealers were arrested and sentenced in 2006.  These drug dealers incite drug-couriers to the actual transportation.  There were 123 arrests in 2005, but the 2006 report does not mention a specific amount.

It does mention cooperation between Aruban and American authorities when it comes to arresting American citizens that try to smuggle substantial amount of drugs to the United States.  The two countries are also cooperating on information to students.  It specifically mentions the Police Corps of Aruba. 

In 2006, the Aruban government has also made space available to the aircrafts of the American air force and customs that try to hunt down drug transportation from the air.

Regarding the Forward Operation Location (FOL), the report only states that, the airport will be supplied with more facilities in the future.   

REFUGE

Employees of the anti-drugs institutions are encouraged to take the courses given by the Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) en Homeland Security and to use the facilities that are available.  The smuggling of drugs, money laundering and the related violence continue to be a threat for the islands of the Neth.Antilles and Aruba.  The authorities will rigorously continue with actions against drug-smugglers and money launderers to prevent that the islands become a refuge for illegal activities.