Local officers pulled out from joint DEA task force

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial sought Friday to calm local companies that bring Chinese tourists into the Northern Marianas after passengers on a Shanghai Airlines flight were subjected to intensive body searches during an operation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency on Oct. 4.

Finance Secretary Eloy S. Inos reported on Friday that the CNMI government has temporarily withdrawn local law enforcement officers from a joint task force with the DEA.

He said the pullout of six police officers and one customs officer from the anti-drug task force will continue until the local government gets a full explanation of the Shanghai Airlines flight incident from the DEA.

Fitial, in a letter to the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino and Century Tours, expressed his “great dismay” about the episode, and reassured both companies that his administration is working to get to the root of the incident.

“I want to let you know that my administration is extremely displeased with the manner in which this activity was conducted. We did not approve of this and do not support such treatment of visitors to our islands,” said Fitial.

Tour agents are concerned about the negative publicity the Commonwealth is receiving in China because of the episode. They also fear that the incident may put at risk the CNMI’s “approved destination status,” which allows the Commonwealth to openly market itself as a tourist destination for Chinese travelers.

The governor said he has asked federal officials for a complete explanation, and has called for new procedures to be put in place with better communications.

“On behalf of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, I want to say that we are very appreciative of your efforts to promote our beautiful islands to Chinese visitors. At the same time, we want all of our tourists to feel welcome and happy when they visit our islands of Saipan, Tinian or Rota,” Fitial said.

“Please be assured that I will do everything within my power to ensure that better procedures are put in place for the future,” he added.

Tour operators report that agents herded 147 of the 187 passengers on the Shanghai Airlines flight into a small room and searched even the most private parts of their bodies, in addition to searching every piece of luggage they carried.

The episode resulted in a more than three-hour delay at the airport. Local officials are fearful it will damage the CNMI’s reputation in key Asian market for its struggling tourism industry.