Speech #990151220

As the specially created South Florida Task Force has become more effective in battling the influx of cocaine and marijuana from South America into Florida. many smugglers have moved their landing opFebruary 4. 1.986 erations to the gulf States and the Mexican border. As a result. the congressional border caucus asked the Narcotics Committee to hold hearings at various cities along the United StatesMexican border. What we saw and what we learned was that our borders are out of control in regard to the influx of illicit narcotics and illegal aliens. and we are finding that these two problems have become extensively Intertwined. As we lose control of our borders. the threat of terrorism becomes more and more inevitable. For the most part. this study mission of the Narcotics Committee was impressed by the dedicated work being done by both Federal and local law enforcement officials along the border.