SIN, you stated major player. Which one was the major player?

Your last sentence in the above post, please explain. Thanks

Crazy?

On the last sentence above. I doubt three different countries would just happen to spot this boat 30 miles offshore, at night, with a major load of uncut coke aboard.

From what I know (very limited) the US agencies will investigate for months and sometimes years before they grab someone. They want to have all the details, connections, starting and ending points, middle men, means of travel, fueling, etc... before they net the small fish. I can't see them investing in such a sting which will, at the most, give them four boat captains and a TINY TINY TINY dent in the amount of cocaine crossing the southern border of the US.

Just as a side point, a poll, not a personal view. Will importation of illegal drugs ever be stopped when the US (1/10 of the global population) is the largest consumer of these subtances in the World? Will small time dealers stop offering drugs to tourists here in Belize, when over 1/2 of such visitors do purchase?

SIN

Amanda, I know the Honduranian that you mention, he and his brother managed to rob us a least twice. Was picked up on robbery charges a little over a year ago and didn't serve a minute.

Thanks, I know this subject is difficult.
Ok, they must have known all the details.

Not sure who is the keeper of the records, to show which population is the largest consumer.

You say, 1/2 of the such visitors do purchase. Again who is the keeper of that record, or is that an excuse for the small time dealers?

Not an excuse, but a little ole' common sense.

I wouldn't sell timeshare if EVERYBODY said "NO".

It doesn't make these small time crooks "correct" or right for selling illegal narcotics. It's illegal in Belize and to most morally unacceptable. It does help to put in to perspective who is to blame.

Drugs would not be offered to visitors if drugs were not used by visitors.

Colombia would be shut down if the millions of folks in the US stopped using.



SIN

According to the US Dept of Defense cocaine consumption in the US has fallen from 400 metric tons in 1990 (80% of the world wide consumption) to 300 MT in 2000 (50% of ww consumption).

The rest of the world is just catching up.

So for 600+ MT produced in 2000, 50% was consumed in the US.

This was five years ago. The past five years have witnessed a "re-birth" of the cocaine epedemic. Useage is up in the US and also globally.

Defense Link

SIN

Sin, I want to understand you.

So let me try, ok US consumers, are the only consumers keeping Colombia open for business?

US has also caused a major addiction in people living on Ambergis, too? Because the visitors buy on Ambergis?

US needs to blame all the countries between US border and Colombia, for US addiction? I think NOT. Each person is responsible for their actions, not others.

Peace

SIN - interesting link - I agree: as long as there is demand there will be supply and US appears to provide the bulk of the demand. Like most things the issue is a little more complicated though - supply is also linked to a lack of alternatives for the suppliers. An example is the coffee industry. Mennonite Central Committee, one of the world's largest relief organizations, has a program which helps central american farmers get fair trade prices for their crops. Due to falling prices paid for coffee (a lack of fair trade) in many areas of the world, and especially central america, farmers have turned to illicit crops such as coca (used to make cocaine) in order to make a living wage. When US and other industralized countries are unwilling to pay fair prices for products produced elsewhere there are widespread ramifications. We are all interconnected. Chloe's also correct, we are all also responsible for every action we take.

Missin' the point here amiga or misunderstanding me.

I'm not blaming the US, althogh the CIA did flood LA with cocaine in the 80's (diffent topic for that one).

Are gun manufacturers and/or dealers to blame for the bloodshed found within the US or the people purchasing such weapons? So in this case it is the USER (of such weapon) who has responsibility. Why the difference with drugs. The US provides a HUGE market for this shit. It was the US and European scientists that invented it! Freud was in love with it and Coca Cola promoted it nationwide. I'm simply asking (questioning), where does the majority of the blame fall? With the users OR 300+ metric tons or the countries that are manufacturing and trafficing it? Pehaps both?? --- chicken, egg ------

If so, where to focus the tax payers dollars to curb drug abuse? With the user or the supplier? No user - no suppliers. No supplier = new supplier around the corner.

I plainly stated "visitors". I stated a fact that drugs are for sale because THEY ARE USED here. No mention of local addicts? I don't think we have a major addiction here. Lost me on that one. Lots of folks smoke weed here, some use coke, but I wouldn't blame that on their interaction with visitors or tourists. Although I would have to say I never used Ecstacy until given by a guest staying at a hotel where I was working.

Bob Marley - "I throw me corn, but call no fowl"

SIN

Don't put yourself in harms way for the US cocaine market. Find another way to earn money.

Keep yourself and your neighbors safe, don't help us so much, we obviously have plenty cocaine already.

Not meant to be flip, I truly feel that way.