The Making of a Narco-Terror Case

By Jeralyn, Section Crime Policy
Posted on Sun Dec 20, 2015 at 09:48:00 AM EST
Tags: narco-terrorism (all tags)

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I've been writing about the DEA's most excellent African Adventures since 2009, particularly the sting cases where people from all over the world are extradited (or kidnapped and forcibly brought) to the U.S. for trial on drug offenses that had nothing or little to do with the U.S. In many, the DEA claimed a terror connection.

Ginger Thompson of Pro Publica (formerly an outstanding New York Times reporter) has been investigating these cases for a long time. She recently traveled to Mali and other far-off places to interview people directly involved. (Days before she left, I spoke to her on the phone about the cases for a very long time.) Two weeks ago she published her findings in an excellent article called The Narco Terror Trap.

The DEA warns that drugs are funding terror. An examination of cases raises questions about whether the agency is stopping threats or staging them.

[More...]

This week, using creative graphics to tell the story, Ginger and two other Pro Publica reporters examine five foreign narco-terror stings and explain how the narco-terror cases are made. Their findings:

Five criminals in far-flung parts of the world, five D.E.A. sting operations, five dubious links between drugs and terror. The characters are different but the story remains the same. Authorities said each case demonstrated alliances between terrorists and drug traffickers, but most of the alleged links fell apart in court.

I hope these articles bring some much-needed attention to the excesses and hype of the DEA's global holy warriors, especially those working these sting cases abroad. It's the wasteful sting practices that should be put on trial.

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The Making of a Narco-Terror Case | 3 comments (3 topical)

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Michele Leonhart... (5.00 / 3) (#2)
by ScottW714 on Mon Dec 21, 2015 at 09:29:25 AM EST

...who was re-appointed by Obama is an idiot, see video of her not being able to give a straight answer in regards to crack, meth, and heroin being better or worse to health than marijuana.

Her answer, "I believe all illegal drugs are bad"
Remarkable close to a certain South Park teacher's view of drugs, mkay.

She retired in April, but your link specifically mentions her by name.

Her replacement, Chuck Rosenberg is on the same track:

"What really bothers me is the notion that marijuana is also medicinal -- because it's not," Rosenberg said in a briefing to reporters. "We can have an intellectually honest debate about whether we should legalize something that is bad and dangerous, but don't call it medicine -- that is a joke."

If anyone thinks Obama gives two squirts about rescheduling marijuana they aren't paying attention.

He has appointed two people who clearly have no interest in the facts other than 'drugs are bad'.

Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have passed medical marijuana legislation. In addition to the 23 states with medical marijuana laws, 17 more have approved legislation regarding "CBD-only" marijuana. CBD is a cannabinoid/chemical compound of marijuana. That means 80 percent of states have approved some form of medical marijuana.
Meanwhile, Washington state, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C. have all passed laws approving recreational marijuana use.

I guess all us dummies will have to keep making it legal with the experts continue to insist that all drugs are bad, mkay.

"Manufacturing" : a gerund (none / 0) (#1)
by Mr Natural on Sun Dec 20, 2015 at 10:47:42 AM EST

Sample usage:

"The Manufacturing of a Narco-Terror Case"

the regime we are supporting (none / 0) (#3)
by zaitztheunconvicted on Mon Dec 21, 2015 at 11:00:42 AM EST

we and NATO are in Afghanistan . . .

we have just had killed some soldiers of NATO . . .

here is the regime we are supporting . . .

The 2004 Constitution established an independent judiciary under the Islamic Republic . . .

The National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan's version of Homeland Security, has been accused of running its own prisons, torturing suspects, and harassing journalists, which has added to the controversy over human rights in the country.[citation needed]

Well, ain't that just the thing?!