In the news: Washington driver’s licenses change July 1 to comply with REAL ID

Love to see newspeople schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:

Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping cartel-sourced heroin and meth out of the US?

Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA-

No cross-border USBP arrest has happened here in more than 8 years.

New, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility is unable to keep heroin away from local communities:

Federal, local officers make drug arrests in Port Angeles

Forks Father and Son Arrested For Heroin Sales

What role does Port Angeles CBP staffing and infrastructure play in keeping heroin and meth away from the Olympic Peninsula? (Not asking if they react after product arrives in local communities.)

Has the Port Angeles Border Patrol been able to intercept any inbound meth or heroin? Even one time?

If special ID works to keep bad guys out- how are cartels moving product into US communities in 2018?

Seems like strict post-911 security protocols & the War on Terror would be a drug cartel’s worst nightmare. What does our a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security have to say about all this?

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”

So critical to the safety of America- the badass terrorists we are supposed to stay scared of have until Oct. 1, 2020 to make use of a weaker standard:

Homeland Security Establishes Enforcement Date for Real ID

Ohio

Homeland Security Vote of Confidence:

Forced separation of migrant children from their parents, National Guard troops, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of Ohio:

June 20th, 2018 NPR: A New Wave Of Meth Overloads Communities Struggling With Opioids

“…Congress enacted the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act in 2006, which regulated the sale of certain over-the-counter drugs, like pseudoephedrine, used in cooking meth.”

“What everybody is doing now is buying the cheap Mexican meth, and not cooking anymore,” says Vinton County prosecutor Trecia Kimes-Brown.

“They are more violent,” says Ryan Cain, the lead detective on counternarcotics for the county. He says in a rural county with a culture of hunting, it’s not uncommon to encounter meth users who are hallucinating — and carrying a gun.

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for your many years of service in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

West Texas counties:

San Angelo Car Salesman Pushed a Pound of Meth a Day

Minnesota:

Immigration is not the only border issue

“Commander Jody Gladis told the Marshall Noon Rotary Club that the Mexican drug cartel is flooding Minnesota with methamphetamine.”

Fayette County, Texas:

Local authorities swing into action after $2.1 million worth of methamphetamine moves past National Guard troops, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, then, on into Fayette County.

Fayette Co. K9 sniffs out major meth bust

Western Wisconsin:

‘Beyond An Epidemic’: Meth Abuse Skyrocketing In Polk County, Wis.

Don’t worry-

The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

‘No known credible threats ’ ahead of Super Bowl, officials say

If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.

State-run media update:

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo- A symbol of federal government credibility and newspeople asking questions.

Port Angeles quality of life update:

“We know there are beds available at night, but I think people for whatever reason, be it mental health issues, opioid addiction or other addictions, people would rather camp out,” he said.

Indiana meth:

Strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out: “…meth is flooding into the United States from cartels south of the border.”

Border Wall update:

“…none of the officers WFIU/WTIU spoke to believe President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall would have a large effect on the amount of methamphetamine, or other drugs, entering the US.”

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for your many years of service in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Tried to have your back with strict post-911 security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, federal agents at border crossings & ports of entry & passports/enhanced & Real IDs to keep us all safe.

We’ll try harder next time.

Did newspeople and politicians swear an oath to call it opioids instead of heroin?

Heroin crisis: A situation involving illegal product moved from outside the US into local communities. The US Dept. of Homeland Security has jurisdiction at the border, border crossings & ports of entry.

With a budget of $40.6 billion- how is the US Dept. of Homeland Security doing at keeping heroin away from local communities?

Opioid crisis: Term favored by the press & politicians to describe the abuse of product which may be stolen from Grandma’s medicine cabinet- also a very serious issue.

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo- Skagit Valley

Special IDs and background checks-

In the news: Mexican migrant, 37, worked as US Border Patrol agent for SIX YEARS after falsely claiming he was born in Texas

More from several sources here.

How many other botched background checks are in the system?

The rest of us need to have special IDs to go have lunch in Canada and return home. Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.

Cato podcast: “Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is imbued with vast powers, and evidence shows those powers are used without many of the checks that exist in other federal agencies. Alex Nowrasteh and Matthew Feeney comment.”

Indiana:

Strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of Indiana.

“It’s a common mode of transportation of illegal narcotics from the southwest border directly to Central Indiana,” Westfall said. “The majority of our methamphetamine now comes from the southwest border.”

“Last year, the DEA alone seized 191 pounds of meth in Indiana. Nationwide, nearly 41,000 kilograms, or 90,000 pounds, of meth was reported seized by law enforcement agencies.”

California:

Ventura Combined Agency Team swings into action after US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep more than 90 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 2 pounds of both heroin and cocaine out of local communities.

Wisconsin:

Homeland Security Vote of Confidence

“The meth that now comes into the state mainly originates in Mexico and is transported from California and other major states in the Southwest, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.”

Washington State:

$40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to prevent monthly delivery of about 60 to 70 pounds of meth from Mexico north to Eastern Washington, according to the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Welcome Home Troops

More here:

Whidbey Heroin

Puget Sound Heroin – Newspeople Remain Silent

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA-

A new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility, secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin in the community & a Border Patrol whistleblower investigation Re: fraudulent overtime that resulted in further suppression of information- keep the focus on asking questions in these areas.

No cross-border USBP arrest has happened here in more than 7 years.

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Photo- A symbol of the free press & federal government credibility.

Please Dispose of Properly

Whidbey Island:

In the news: Tons of toxic trash targeted in state budget cuts

Recommendation:

Let the community keep more of the cash that goes to the federal government to be wasted on failing programs.

2014-

Federal money available to purchase Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat-

Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:

Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”

“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”

If public meetings were held on Whidbey Island & people were asked to state their top law enforcement priorities- would a Homeland Security-funded patrol boat show up anywhere on the list?

If the Sheriff was interviewed & asked for his wish list- is there any possibility that it would include a Homeland Security-funded patrol boat?

Took a quick look on the web to see if there is a post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey & could not find anything. If anyone has info, please post in comments.

Recommendation-

Let the Sheriff & the people he serves set funding priorities for the Island County Sheriff’s Department.

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been able to intercept any inbound heroin?

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest related to the US/Canada border?

Newspeople remain silent.

Related: Puget Sound Coastal Patrol Boats

Port Angeles:

Operation Macho Swagger-

Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions:

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from Port Angeles?

2011-

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

2013-

Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles

2015-

Port Angeles residents fed up with heroin problem

Have these Port Angeles based Homeland Security patrol boats made any arrest related to the US/Canada border?

Have these boats been used to intercept any inbound heroin?

Newspeople remain silent.

More here:

Port Angeles Heroin – Homeland Security Vote of Confidence

Heroin Racket Rolls On

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The Pompous Veteran

High levels of reverence for the flag?

Meanwhile, Heroin-Trafficking Cartels Move Product into Washington State

Groupthink Alternative

US Department of Credibility

Newspeople will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Our free and independent press has stopped asking questions.

and Sound of Freedom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

If the US Dept. of Homeland Security can’t keep drug cartels out of the US- how do they plan to keep terrorists out of the US?

Methamphetamine traffickers continue to say FU to passports, enhanced driver’s licenses & all other post-911 efforts designed to keep terrorists out of the US:

“One of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels is now the main distributor of methamphetamine in Nebraska, federal law enforcement officials say.”

South Mississippi:

“Hundreds of kilos of ice have been found here in the past couple of years and most of it is linked to Mexican drug cartels and their super labs, said Daniel Comeaux, agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Gulfport office.”

Buckley, WA:

“This was a major drug bust in an ongoing effort to stop the methamphetamine pipeline from Mexico,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

Stopping the pipeline after product moves 1300 miles north?

“Police searched a hidden compartment in an SUV and found more than 31 pounds of methamphetamine.”

Metro Atlanta:

“A Drug Enforcement Administration official told Channel 2’s Mark Winne the majority of heroin in the city comes from Mexico.”

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for your service

Bremerton:

“Prescription monitoring programs and formula changes have made it harder for addicts to gain access to heroinlike highs from prescription painkillers like OxyContin. In the wake of those changes, users have turned to cheaper black tar heroin, trafficked from Mexico.”

23 pounds of heroin valued at more than $1 million makes it past the US Dept. of Homeland Security and into Snohomish County:

Sheriff: 23 pounds of cartel heroin seized, 8 arrested

Looks like what gets printed as news is sometimes just a press release from whatever agency conducted an operation:

Police break up heroin trafficking ring

Police: suspects ran heroin for Mexican cartel from home

Heroin traffickers are frequently successful at what they do. If terrorists were just as interested in entering the US- it appears that federal departments and agencies would have no way to stop them.

Cocaine-

29 kilograms of cocaine gets past the US Dept. of Homeland Security and into Washington State- US Border Patrol notifies Canadian authorities as product moves into B.C.

As always- the big law enforcement success story comes with zero reporting or questions from newspeople about why the proud War on Terror is unable to keep cocaine out of the US.

Don’t worry-

The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe-

US Department of Homeland Security-

“…a department with more than 20 different agencies, a budget of more than $45 billion and a staff of hundreds of thousands of civilian, law enforcement and military personnel.”

Discuss on facebook here:

Local reporters will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Or here:

US Department of Credibility

Photo- Port Townsend scene

Traditional industry shuttered:

Green Creek Wood Products in Port Angeles set to shut down for good Saturday

Air link goes away:

Kenmore Air to drop Port Angeles passenger service mid-November

‘Heartbreaking’: Emotions fly as airline ends Peninsula service

US Border Patrol:

Still no justification provided by elected officials or the US Border Patrol for an upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility at Port Angeles.

More here: News tip/story idea

Question for newspeople:

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from the Olympic Peninsula?

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

Newspeople,

When is the last time these folks made an arrest of any kind?

Any arrests connected to the US/Canada border?

Any arrests connected to a Homeland Security mission?

Are fraudulent overtime claims still the norm at Port Angeles?

Border Patrol whistleblower pays price for refusing overtime pay

Heroin at Port Angeles: Heavily fortified small town unable to keep heroin out

Don’t worry-

The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe-

US Department of Homeland Security-

“…a department with more than 20 different agencies, a budget of more than $45 billion and a staff of hundreds of thousands of civilian, law enforcement and military personnel.”

Related:

Struggling to Defend the Border Patrol

Discuss on facebook here:

Local reporters will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Or here:

US Department of Credibility

Photo- Mystery Bay

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA-

Arrest statistics are secret:

Aug 2010-

A US Border Patrol spokesperson tells the press:

“Border Patrol spokeswoman Jenny Burke said Monday that the agency will not release any information on the number of arrests made by agents who work out of the Port Angeles station, the names of those arrested, what they were arrested for and the disposition of their cases”

“The number of arrests for Port Angeles’ or any other station is “law enforcement-sensitive,” Burke said.”

“The names of those arrested and other facts about them are not available for release under the 1974 Privacy Act, she said.”

Denied FOIA requests-

“The Border Patrol has refused repeated requests by the Peninsula Daily News — including those made under the Freedom of Information Act — for arrest totals for the Port Angeles station, which covers a territory that includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.”

Different federal agencies- different policies?

US Attorney for New Jersey Paul J. Fishman announces the arrest of 14 alleged members and suppliers of a large scale drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing heroin and cocaine:

CHARGED IN THE DRUG RING

The following people have each been charged by federal prosecutors with one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

• Herve Cadet, a/k/a “Gotti,” a/k/a “Bro,” 29, Neptune and Sayreville

• Eric Smith, a/k/a “EV,” a/k/a “E,”42, Manchester

• *Dwight Simon, a/k/a “Break Bread,” 30, Asbury Park

• *Noble El-Bey, a/k/a “T,” a/k/a “Terry,” 42, Asbury Park

• Evens Joseph, a/k/a “Dirty Evan,” a/k/a “De,” 36, Neptune

• *Steve Jean-Baptiste, a/k/a “Black,” 29, Asbury Park

• Harriel Jean-Baptiste, a/k/a “Harry,” 25, Asbury Park

• *Junior Parcias, a/k/a “Peso,” 28, Neptune

• Kurtis Barnes, a/k/a “Gotti,” 36, Lakewood

• Charlene Braithwaite-Lovet, a/k/a “Shay,” 40, Asbury Park

• Athena L. Gillis, a/k/a “Shorty,” 28, Asbury Park

• *Jerrel K. Collins, a/k/a “Fat Boy,” 27, Ocean Township

• Delovi R. Canales, a/k/a “Butter,” 48, Toms River

• Laurie A. Matthews, 48, Manchester

• Amal J. Blaine, a/k/a “Mal,” 27, Lakewood

• Mackinson Casimir, a/k/a “Scrappy,” 26, Ocean Township

• Reginald Walker, a/k/a “Red,” 45, Red Bank

• *Brandon R. Keyes, a/k/a “BK,” 31, Neptune

• Schneider Monestime, 32, Asbury Park

• Marvin T. Brodie, a/k/a “Marv,” 44, Manchester

* Denotes a defendant still at large

Related:

Heroin at Port Angeles: Heavily fortified small town unable to keep heroin out

No cross-border USBP arrest has happened here in more than 4 years: News tip/story idea

More about local heroin here, and here: Puget Sound Heroin

Discuss on facebook here:

Local reporters will not question the US Border Patrol at Port Angeles?

Or here:

US Department of Credibility

Photo- New Day at Port Hadlock