Local leaders give all out support in war vs drugs

Local leaders of Saipan and the Northern Islands are in full support of the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies’ war against drugs.

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Northern Islands Mayor Jerome K. Aldan, and the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council are ready to give their assistance and have urged strong community support in the fight against destructive drugs in the CNMI.

Apatang showed his unequivocal support after he sent a letter to Division of Customs director Jose C. Mafnas on Thursday.

“Our residents are breathing much easier today because of your and the Customs officers’ intense diligence and well-executed vigilance that resulted in the interception of 23 lbs of the most destructive form of substance that has hit our islands,” Apatang said.

He said he is privy to the negative impact of illegal drugs on families and the community.

“We have seen how families have been torn apart, how peaceful and safe neighborhoods have deteriorated, how lives have been turned upside down, how businesses have shut doors and moved on elsewhere after losses, how resources have been expended,” he said.

Last July 17, Customs. along with other law enforcement agencies, intercepted 23.5 lbs of methamphetamine or “ice”—with the street value of $4.2 million—after inspecting a 40-foot container from China.

Mafnas said the “ice” seizure is the biggest drug bust in CNMI history.

“Customs officers’ keenness in identifying the manner in which methamphetamine have been concealed and smuggled into our island is very commendable…We ought to be thankful and proud of Mafnas and the Customs officers’ faithful commitment to making the CNMI a safe and peaceful place to live and work,” Apatang said.

He said his office is here to back Customs up and join the fight against illegal drugs.

Aldan and Municipal Council chair Antonia Tudela joined Apatang in support of CNMI Customs’ efforts.

“We support CNMI Customs in ridding local communities of all forms of substance abuse and misuse, including extra effort by the joint Drug Enforcement Agencies in arresting the rampant uses and users of ‘ice’ or methamphetamine,” Aldan said.

Tudela noted that the new school year is close to opening and more awareness is needed against illegal drugs.

“Before the opening of schools, we intend to educate the public about how the Saipan Neighborhood Watch can provide extra eyes and ears in curbing crime in the CNMI, which is also related to the abuse and misuse of controlled substances,” she said.