Puerto Rico Drug Raid by DEA

By Douglas V. Gibbs

At the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico the DEA, arrested 36 in a drug-smuggling sting dubbed "Operation Open Door," 33 of which were suspected of smuggling 14 tons of cocaine and heroin on commercial flights from San Juan into major East Coast cities on the mainland. At least 22 of the people arrested were baggage handlers and airline staff arrested at the airport. The remaining suspects were arrested at their homes. Two were arrested in Miami, and one in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

I am not fond of the federal agencies, most of the time, and I especially do not like the DEA, because from a Constitutional standpoint the federal government does not have the authority to regulate drugs over the States. It is a State issue. However, Puerto Rico is not a State, it is a U.S. Territory, and according to Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other Property belonging to the United States, and therefore the executive branch, through its regulatory agencies, have the authority to execute those rules and regulations. Since Puerto Rico is a territory, the raid was completely constitutional. The arrests stateside were constitutional as long as the federal agents received the approval of the local sheriff to operate locally, and if the arrests were directly connected to the sting in Puerto Rico.

Such a raid in the States would not have been constitutional. It is up to the States to determine their drug laws, and enforcement. A State can, however, request federal assistance to help enforce its laws, but that is not recommended, because it opens up the tent flap for the camel to stick its nose in.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

DEA Raid Puerto Rico Airport, Arrest 36 in Drug-Smuggling Sting - The Lookout, Yahoo News