Venezuela's anti-drug agency reports 54 tons of drugs seized in 2008

[Judi Lynn]

CARACAS, Monday December 29, 2008

Venezuela's anti-drug agency reports 54 tons of drugs seized in 2008

Arrests related with drug trafficking doubled compared to last year
Country

Néstor Reverol, the director of Venezuela's Anti-Drug Office (ONA), reported that the Venezuelan authorities have seized so far this year "more than 54 tons of drugs." The official said that "65 percent" of the drugs seized was cocaine, a figure considered by Venezuela's top anti-drug authority a major seizure, since the world's main producer of cocaine is Colombia, a neighbor country of Venezuela.

Reverol also said that the arrests related with drug trafficking doubled compared to last year. "In 2007, the enforcement officers arrested 4,150 people and this year we doubled the number of drug-related defendants, including 6 percent who are foreigners."

El Universal
Opposition newspaper

[Judi Lynn]

1. Venezuela's anti-drug director: "those who disqualified Venezuelan anti-narcotics efforts have faile

CARACAS, Monday December 29, 2008

Venezuela's anti-drug director: "those who disqualified Venezuelan anti-narcotics efforts have failed"

The country has shown to the world its willingness to fight drugs, has raised the banner of shared responsibility and has acted accordingly

Country

Néstor Reverol, the director of Venezuela's Anti-drug Office (ONA), said that both foreign and domestic spokespersons who "have tried to disqualify" Venezuela's efforts against drug trafficking "have not been successful and, on the contrary, have failed in their attempts."

Reverol said, during a press conference, in which he made a summary of the actions adopted by the ONA in 2008, that the country has shown to the world its willingness to fight drugs, has raised the banner of shared responsibility and has acted accordingly. This has secured certification by "balanced and fair" international agencies.

"We have strengthened our presence in all the areas related to the anti-drug fight. We have attended more than 18 high-level meetings around the world where Venezuela has carried the banner of shared responsibility," said Reverol.

El Universal
Opposition newspaper