FEINSTEIN CALLS FOR OUSTER OF CUSTOMS HEAD.Byline: Assoicated Press U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U.S. Senator from California, having held office as a senator since 1992. She is a member of the Democratic Party. called for the firing of U.S. Customs Commissioner George Weise, saying he has placed a low priority on drug interdiction The interception of illegal drugs being smuggled by air, sea, or land. See also counterdrug operations. . At the same time, Weise has relaxed controls on passengers and vehicles by designing programs to facilitate the flow of traffic across the U.S.-Mexico border, Feinstein told the Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Morning daily newspaper. Established in 1881, it was purchased and incorporated in 1884 by Harrison Gray Otis (1837–1917) under The Times-Mirror Co. (the hyphen was later dropped from the name). in an interview published Sunday. "I have seen for some time in Customs a change of mission, turning away from an enforcement agency into a trade facilitation See also Trade Facilitation and Development. Trade facilitation looks at how procedures and controls governing the movement of goods across national borders can be improved to reduce associated cost burdens and maximise efficiency while safeguarding legitimate agency," Feinstein said. "That is a colossal mistake. The Clinton administration ought to replace Weise with law enforcement leadership." Customs spokesman Pat Jones denied that Weise has de-emphasized drug interdiction. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin also defended Weise. Feinstein's criticism of Weise was fueled in part by his 1996 operational plan for Customs, where he listed drug interdiction fourth among seven goals, the Times reported, citing a copy of the plan. A major investigation of the Cali Cartel in Colombia, the crime organization responsible for most cocaine trafficking to the United States, was listed last. "Where narcotics narcotics n. 1) techinically, drugs which dull the senses. 2) a popular generic term for drugs which cannot be legally possessed, sold, or transported except for medicinal uses for which a physician or dentist's prescription is required. enforcement is included on a list doesn't mean anything," said Jones. "It doesn't reflect priority." |
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