Benjamin Gilman: “today I rise to compliment our Customs Service, our DEA and our other law enforcement officers for the successful money…”

“today I rise to compliment our Customs Service, our DEA and our other law enforcement officers for the successful money laundering undercover operation, code named ``Casablanca.'' An extensive money laundering ring of Colombian and Mexican drug dealers, who have been using dozens of Mexican and American banks to launder and disguise their billions of dollars of ill-gotten gains, have now been broken up. Many individuals have been arrested, millions of assets have been seized, along with tons of illicit drugs. The substantial funds that this operation uncovered flowing from the illicit drug trade underscores just how serious the challenge is from these illicit drug dealers and the corruption they foster in the banking system and in democratic institutions throughout the world. The magnitude of the disclosure and expanse of the monies and influence from illicit drugs shows our need for a serious and meaningful war on drugs. Our drug czar, Barry McCaffrey, believes that the term ``war on drugs'' is not appropriate to apply to the problems of drugs in our Nation. Many of us disagree. Our Speaker's task force efforts will hopefully turn this around. Operation ``Casablanca'' makes it clear that what is at stake here deserves a war footing by our Nation and the international community. We need to fight drugs on all fronts, including both the demand and supply side simultaneously, as well as hitting them in the pocketbooks, just as ``Casablanca'' has done.”