-Caveat Lector-
The problem is universal, here in Canada Customs can do just about
anything in the name of that vague term "National Security". But for some
reason the public accepts it even while knowing that major drug shipments
don't go through normal channels.
On Sun, 13 Jun 1999, E Mael wrote:
> -Caveat Lector-
>
> The second bonehead award goes to the U.S. Customs. Last year alone 2,797
> international airline passengers were ordered to strip off their clothes at
> gunpoint at airports, intimately groped and had body cavities searched, all
> in the name of the drug war. Some were forced to take laxatives in the
> hopes of finding swallowed drugs. Some were held for a couple of days.
> Even though officials had no evidence that these people were carrying
> drugs.
>
> I hope this deeply bothers you as it does me. I don't think many Americans
> believe this is an appropriate way to handle the drug problem. I bet you
> don't believe this is true. But I have the sources right here...
>
> >From the Washington Sun-Sentinel
> (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/daily/detail/0%2C1136%2C13500000000085390%
> 2C00.html):
>
> Buritica, a Colombian-born U.S. citizen, said she was searched and forced
> to
> take laxatives by agents who suspected her of carrying drugs when she
> arrived at San Francisco International Airport in 1994 on a flight from
> Hong
> Kong.
>
> Denson said she was about seven months pregnant when she arrived at the
> Fort
> Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 1997 on a flight from Jamaica
> to Florida. She said Customs agents took her to a hospital, forced her to
> take a laxative, and shackled her to a bed for two days so they could
> monitor her bowel movements. Eight days later, she said, her son was born
> prematurely. No drugs were found on either woman.
>
> >From CNN News
> (http://www-cgi.cnn.com/CNN/bureaus/chicago/stories/9806/stripsearch/index.h
> tm):
>
> Jacqueline Jones can't forget the fear and humiliation. She had just
> arrived
> at Chicago's O'Hare airport from Berlin last September when customs
> officials pulled her aside. They checked her bags and then ordered a strip
> search.
>
> ''They take me over to one of these little rooms that looks like one of
> these South American torture chambers. I was so afraid I did not know what
> they were going to do. So I go there and I'm standing against the wall. All
> of a sudden I've got my legs spread and the women searches me. She goes --
> this is full body type search -- breast all the way down -- including
> putting her hand between my legs." Customs officials found nothing.
>
> Gwendolyn Richards was returning to Chicago O'Hare from Jamaica when
> customs
> officials took her to a hospital in handcuffs. "They felt like I had
> something. They wanted to make sure I had it, or didn't have it, or
> whatever. I was on the table with my legs in stirrups and the doctor
> checked
> me out.. She basically told me I was clean."
>
> How do the Customs officials feel about this? Custom official Irene Prince
> says ''We have the legal right to do what we do. It has been tested in the
> courts. We do live in a less than perfect world. The good guys sometimes
> get
> caught up with the bad guys.'' OK Irene Prince, you are the one making the
> world less than perfect!
>
> Feel free to send this to others if you want to urge people to write
> protests to their representatives and senators.
>
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DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic
screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters
and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
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