In an effort to maintain an up-to-date understanding of what is going on in the world, as well as to quench a thirst for knowledge, I do a lot of reading. (Let’s not forget the entertainment value as well.) Whether it is newspapers, the Internet or magazines, I’m always in the middle of a few stories at the same time. And please, let’s keep the fact that magazines besides Challenge are on my work desk just between us. Perhaps it is the desire to learn as much as possible before my seemingly quickly aging brain gives out and can absorb no more. Fingers crossed, there will be many issues of USA Today before that happens.
It was an interesting piece on the labeled godmother of the Miami drug-trade world that recently caught my attention. The Colombian native, a mother of four, has been a factor in countless murders (estimates in the hundreds), all the while forging her way to the top of the drug underworld. The estimated dollar amount of her worth through drug trafficking is in the hundreds of millions, and today, she lives back in her home country with an apparent confidence that she got the better of everyone, despite serving 20 years behind bars. Putting it all into perspective – her time behind bars relative to the murders, countless shattered lives and the illegal actions by this drug lord – than yes, she possibly did win.
This month we feature a story (Page 48) on the battle the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has dealing with the drug trade. It should come as no surprise that the trucking industry is heavily targeted via the use to smuggle or to aid in targeting possible offenders. Consider the number of trucks that cross both northern and southern borders. The opening of borders allows even more 18-wheeled traffic onto U.S. soil and provides a plethora of transportation alternatives for drug traffickers to bring in their various illegal merchandise. Seeing as it seems so easy, should we consider truck parking at high schools to make it even more accommodating for the likes of the previously mentioned godmother? Please know that was a sarcastic rhetorical question meant to highlight the point I’m trying to make.
While the authorities work tirelessly to catch those who are responsible, for those 10 that are caught just as many are not. And while truck drivers become almost the perfect target to fulfill transport needs, they also can become a valuable weapon in identifying and reporting possible illegal actions. How drivers can help and what is being done to catch these criminals is covered in this feature. I encourage everybody to read it.
In case it was not obvious enough, yes, the drug trade is a peeve of mine. Specifically, it is the thought of that dear old godmother, sitting in her million-dollar Colombian mansion, and the other drug traders who smirk at their success that really grips me. Put them behind bars, take away their fortunes and throw away the key. Maybe then they’ll leave our children alone.
