Vol. 22, No. 2 by JM Publishing

NJNEOA News Founded In 1965

Vol. 22, No. 2

NJNEOA P.O. Box 567, Nutley, NJ 07110

Summer, 2011

Letter to the NJNEOA Pg. 3

Awards: Nominate Your Peers

Pg. 4

Commendations Corner Pg. 7

NNOAC Conference Outline Pg. 10

www.njneoa.com

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ATTENTION NJNEOA MEMBERS

NJNEOA News

We look forward to hearing from all of you and encourage you to send in your stories and photos. NJNEOA News is your paper and you have the right “not to remain silent” but to let me know what you want to see in it. – Al Camisa, Editor

To get your article published in NJNEOA News: 1. Type your article (double spaced). 2. Mail to: A.J. Camisa P.O. Box 567, Nutley, NJ 07110 Tel. (732) 925-1998 or e-mail editor@njneoa.com Include your name, address, phone number, title and the organization to which you belong. To submit photographs: 1. Set your digital camera to “high quality” or “best” resolution and do not choose “resize” when e-mailing. 2. Make sure photographs are sharp and bright. 3. Type the names of all pictured, or accurately describe the action in the photograph. Do not write on back of photograph, except with non-reproducing pen or pencil. 4. All unsolicited photographs and stories sent to NJNEOA News will be considered the property of NJNEOA News and will not be returned unless a self-addressed stamped envelope accompanies the material.

NJNEOA Fundraising Since 2005, the New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officer’s Association has contracted with MIDWEST PUBLISHING, INC. for the purposes of fund raising. MIDWEST PUBLISHING, INC. has been serving the political, non-profit and charitable sectors since 1978. They are a corporation that utilizes the telephone as a means of soliciting monies for associations such as the NJNEOA. Currently they are used by the NNOAC as well as several other state narcotic associations. If you are contacted by a representative of MIDWEST PUBLISHING, INC. soliciting funds for the NJNEOA please feel free to contact any member of the NJNEOA to verify the validity of the call. Any contributions collected will be used to fund: the Drug Awareness Program, the Training Seminars, provide Drug Awareness literature in the communities, as well support the NJNEOA’s charities. The NJNEOA thanks you in advance for any contributions made to the association through MIDWEST PUBLISHING, INC.

From the Editor....................................................................3 President’s Message...........................................................5 Membership Application.....................................................6 Commendations Corner......................................................7 Counsel’s Column................................................................8 October Seminar.................................................................9 Position Paper.....................................................................12 NJNEOA Membership.........................................................13 Raffle Winners.....................................................................14 11th Annual Beach BBQ.......................................................15

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE NJNEOA Dominic A. Spina Leonard J. Iatesta Donald J. Ebert Joseph A. Jacobi Robert R. Miller George R. Kell Thomas Dougherty Paul V. McKenna William J. Kennedy Joseph J. Delaney William F. Dietz, Jr. Philip Burger Jerome M. Rice Louis E. Grossi Joseph Fields Joseph J. Craparotta Walter R. Betyeman Thomas Monahan Joe DeBiase, Sr. Lucius Bowser Leo J. Uebelein Ken Dupuis Rodney Leone

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Al Glover John Olock Jim Dougherty Anne Kreigner Frank Miterotonda Quinton Collins, Sr. Mike Agrifolio James Van Pelt Warren Hodges Al Katcher Joseph Krisza Vincent Modarelli Richard Vogt Vincent Moscaritola Al Camisa Kenneth Capobianco Daniel J. Muntone John Lazzara Joseph Braun Michael Corrado Andrea Craparotta Martin Lynch Samuel Calabrese

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NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

From the Editor

By Al Camisa

Letter received by the NJNEOA

The following letter was received on June 15. Dear NJNEOA President Barbato and New Board,

I am writing this letter out of frustration after attending the Awards Luncheon in Atlantic City. I feel compelled to voice my concerns, which were echoed by many on the day of the luncheon. A lot of members feel, “the Association has lost its way in the last couple of years and reached a new low this year” and as the new President you need to address it. Let me explain. First, this association was formed many years ago by us Narcs to help keep everyone informed and to recognize our own for some of their great accomplishments over the previous year. In the last few years, the leadership of the Association has been more concerned about recognizing people that benefit their personal agendas rather than the hard working detectives and Officers of the NJNEOA and law enforcement community. This seems to be the trend by our recent past Presidents and the Boards that go along with their agendas. Most members probably agree that we should recognize various prosecutors who are an integral part of our investigations. But over the last several years this recognition has gone to recognize many “figure heads” as prosecutors, rather that the hard working men and women doing our cases. It seems this award has taken on a political aspect to recognize and give a plaque to the County Prosecutor of the Year rather than the working bees. It certainly appears that some of our Board members are more concerned about making points with their prosecutor rather than acknowledging Editor’s Response On behalf of the BOD, I would like to take this time to respond to this letter. First, the Prosecutor of the Year Award was established three years ago and designed to be bestowed on those individuals, who throughout their term in office, has showed continuous support towards the Association, along with sharing the same ideals and goals. This has been given to three individuals: Theodore J. Romankow - Union County, Luis A.Valentin – Monmouth County and this year to Robert A. Bianchi – Morris County. These individuals have not only continued to keep a steady and level approach towards their drug enforcement efforts within their agency, but have unselfishly backed the NJNEOA, through the assistance of speakers at both our seminars and conferences. They also continue to support the NJNEOA through membership and attendance at the conference and seminars.

people truly deserving of recognition. This year during the Awards Luncheon we honored a Sheriff whose nexus to drug law enforcement was never really established, but he was described as a long time friend of the Board President. What did he do to support the mission of the NJNEOA? The Prosecutor of the Year award included a resolution and speech by a Freeholder from the respective County. Come on and we had to sit through that presentation, talk about politicizing an event. Wow. And the best for last, a business that has supported law enforcement in New Jersey was a new award. So the President with Board concurrence gave it to the CEO of Lionel Trains based in New York that happened to be the cousin of the President. For what, setting up a train set at our conference and trying to sell trains? We couldn’t find a business in New Jersey that has done something for drug law enforcement? President Barbato and new Board members, you have your work cut out for you to restore the credibility to the organization over the next year. This is not a political organization to help the President/Board with their careers and agendas, but rather one that should represent its members and recognize the same. I wish you the best in 2011/2012 term and hope you start to bring this organization back to the “good old days”, where we cared about our own, recognized them and didn’t use the association for personal agendas and self promotion. Please circulate this letter to all Board members. Signed, The feelings of many of association members

Second, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, also established three years ago, was designed to honor any individual who has excelled above and beyond their normal duties bringing about a significant narcotic related investigation, or a head of an agency who has fully supported the NJNEOA throughout their tenure. The recipients of this award have been: Colonel Rick Fuentes – NJSP, Patrolman Thomas Lucasiewicz – Monroe Twp PD and this year to Sheriff Ralph Froelich – Union County Sheriffs Department. This year the Awards committee received a recommendation to bestow an award upon Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterman – Union County for her years of dedication to both the NJNEOA as a speaker and member, as well to the Union County Prosecutors Office for her tenacity prosecuting their high level narcotics investigations throughout her career with the office. Third, for the past several years, Lionel Trains has do-

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NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

Continued from previous page

nated a collector train set to be auctioned of at each of our conferences. In addition to donating the train set, Lionel also sends a representative down to the conference to set up the train set for display and then dismantle it at the end of the conference. All monies that have been collected through the auction are utilized for training throughout the year. Lionel is also planning on financially helping the NJNEOA throughout the coming years to help sustain the Association’s law enforcement training seminars. I am baffled why members would be disgruntled about the Awards Committee’s selections through the years. In each issue of the NJNEOA News, there is an Awards Column encouraging members to submit the names of those individuals that they feel deserve to be considered for an award. This is also brought to the attention of the members that attend each seminar. For whatever reason, it seems to fall on deaf ears and therefore leaves the BOD and/or Awards Committee no alternative but to determine who the recipients of the above mentioned awards will be. Instead of using their energy criticizing the choices made, those members who support the views of the letter writer, should spend a little more time being part of the solution, as opposed to just complaining about it. It should be noted that each year there are numerous individual and unit awards that are given out at the annual conference and seminar’s general membership meetings. I therefore question the validity of the letter writer’s and “The Feelings of Many of the Association Member’s” concern towards the “working bees” and the “real people deserving awards.” This is due to the fact that there is a lack of interest by any of the conference attendees to honor their peers at the conference. The Association is hard pressed to have any members present during the awards ceremony other than

those who are receiving the awards. The difference between the NJNEOA of yesteryear and today is that in the years past, members of the association were actively involved. Their departments encouraged them to take an active role. The “Narc” became a member of the association and attended functions whether or not their agency paid for their attendance. And when they were transferred to another unit, they remained members of the NJNEOA and didn’t just drop out. They took pride in being an NJNEOA member. Lastly, those individuals who concur with the author of the above letter should take note. Last year and this current year, the president and executive board are comprised of retired police officers. None of whom have a current working relationship with any police agency whatsoever. Nor are they seeking one. Therefore they have no reason to be, in the words of the letter writer “more concerned about making points with their Prosecutor…. recognizing people that benefit their personal agendas.” That comment is what one would refer to as being, “A day late and a dollar short.” It is an accusation that could have been possibly made in the past. To the benefit of the letter writer, I will assume that it was if it occurred during the previous administrations. It seems to me, that the author of this letter is the one who has a personal agenda. There appears to be a personality conflict between the author, the past president and BOD. Someone who has a valid complaint regarding an issue doesn’t hide behind an anonymous signature. They will be forthcoming and openly approach the issue by taking it up directly with one of us in person and having a conversation that ultimately leads to a resolution we can all be happy with. 

Awards

he New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officer’s Association recognizes several police officers and their departments during the year by acknowledging the outstanding investigations that they have conducted in the area of narcotic enforcement. The NJNEOA will present these officers and their departments with an NJNEOA Achievement Award at either one of the Seminars that the NJNEOA sponsors or at the Annual Conference. No longer will all of the awards be presented at the conference.

NJNEOA

In order to be considered for an award it is mandatory that a detailed account of the specific investigation must be submitted by a member of the NJNEOA for placement in the quarterly newspaper and on the Association’s Web Site. It isn’t necessary that the officers receiving awards be an NJNEOA member. If need be, a generalized story omitting the defendant’s names and addresses, will then be authored for use in the Association’s publications. The description of the investigation and all other particulars should be submitted to the NJNEOA at: P.O. 514 East Brunswick New Jersey 08816-0514 or e-mailed to: editor@njneoa.com

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NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

President’s Message

s my Presidency enters its infancy I have no ilI would also like to thank Vice lusion that the fight against narcotics will end President Al Camisa and Past Presianytime soon. I do know that with your dedica- dent Joe Krisza for the outstanding tion and perseverance we can prevent our children from job they did conducting the Semibecoming slaves to this problem that affects all of us. I nars for this past year. Their topics believe that most of our crime originates from the illegal were outstanding and the instructors sale and use of narcotics. We have the citizen who obtains they choose to present them were in- By NJNEOA President Michael J. Barbato, Sr. fraudulent prescriptions for their addiction to pain medica- teresting and very informative. tion. We have the narcotics user who shoplifts or burglarI also congratulate the newly izes a home stealing items to resell on the street to sup- elected Officers and Board of Directors. I look forward to port their habit. We have the gangs that fight for territorial working with these fine, dedicated men and women who rights to sell their illegal narcotics with innocent civilians give up their time to make this association the best in the getting caught in the crossfire. Then we have the addicts county. Without them our organization wouldn’t be what it who will commit armed robberies and beg, borrow, and is today. steal to obtain money to support their habits. All of this and Along with the Executive Board and Board of Directors, more causes problems such as, families being torn apart, I look forward to seeing all of you at our Seminar in Octoour economy being what it is, and changing our way of life ber. For the exact date, time, location, and instructors please so that we also don’t become victims of a crime. look in the newsletter or visit us at njneoa.com. Also bring Now, make no mistake about the Medical Marijuana a brother or sister officer with you. No membership is reBill. It is the stepping stone for full legalization of Mari- quired and it’s free to any law enforcement officer. juana in our state. Passed with good intentions of relieving Please stay safe and healthy.  pain and suffering for the chronically ill, it will soon lead to full legalization of marijuana as if we don’t have enough vices in our state already. Another question I have to ask is, aren’t there legally prescribed medications, already existing that can relieve pain and suffering as just as good, if not better than marijuana. I find it hard to believe that smoking he NJNEOA October Training Sema joint is a better medication than a pill or tablet. For his inar is being held on October 18, tireless efforts on behalf of the NJNEOA in the fight against 2011 at the Lacey Township Elks. the Medical marijuana Bill, I’d like to thank Past President The seminar is free for both NJNEOA members and nonMarty Lynch. members. Registration must be made prior to the conferI would also like to congratulate Jimmy South and his ence. You can either: fill in and submit the “online” regisConference Committee for the excellent job they did to tration form, or download and mail in the “pdf” registration make the 2011 NJNEOA Conference the success that it form which can also be found online. Check out our website was. Each topic was pertinent to what the law enforcement at www.njneoa.com for further info regarding the topics and officer working in the fight against narcotics would need to speakers. We look forward to seeing you in October. know to help make his job a little easier, and the instructors proved to be the most knowledgeable in their field of expertise. The awards given out this year at our conference included Prosecutor of the Year, Assistant Prosecutor of the Year, and Police Officer of the Year. This year we added awards for Life Saving, Businessman of the Year and a posthumous award for an officer who gave up his life for all of us. There were also awards given out during the year at our three seminars and our conference to Officers for outstanding investigations they conducted during the year. They should all be commended for their excellent work. I would like to thank Frank Miterotonda and his committee for their commitment to find the most qualified recipients of these awards.  Page 5 

SAVEThe Date

NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Title/Position

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DUES: $30 - 1 year or $75 - 3 years Make checks payable to NJNEOA or join online at www.njneoa.com

N J N E O A

To be an Active Member in NJNEOA you must be a full time duly sworn member of an organized law enforcement agency and associate membership is available to others. I do hereby certify that I have never been convicted of a crime or disorderly violation in this or any other state and that if admitted to membership in NJNEOA, I will abide by the By-Laws of the NJNEOA and do all in my power to further the aims and ideals of the NJNEOA. _____________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT

______________ DATE FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY:

2/10 (As per association by-laws it takes @ two months for membership to be approved.)

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1st Reading ________ 2nd Reading ________

NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

Commendations Corner

Good news for the good guys, bad news for the rest.

Co-Operation is the Key to Success

uring the month of July, 2010, Detective R. Maclosky of the South River Police Department received information that an individual identified as Tomas Primero was distributing quantities of cocaine in and around Middlesex County. Det. McCloskey subsequently contacted: the Middlesex County Guns, Gangs & Drugs Task Force, North Brunswick Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit and D.E.A, N.J. Division, Enforcement Group 2 and requested assistance in initiating furthering the investigation. Surveillance conducted shortly after the investigation commenced resulted in the identification of PRIMERO’s coconspirator, and Fernando Galeano AKA: Fernando Medina. Later during the month of July 2010 arrangements were made to introduce an undercover officer to PRIMERO and GALEANO. Inv. Felix DelaCruz of the M.C.P.O. Gangs, Guns & Drugs Task Force was assigned to function as the undercover officer and subsequently made six undercover purchases from PRIMERO and GALEANO.

The investigation culminated on 21 October 2010 when PRIMERO and GALEANO were arrested as they attempted to distribute 100 grams of cocaine to Inv. DelaCruz within the Township of East Brunswick. Search Warrants were executed on PRIMERO’S residence at 3 Beverly Ave., North Brunswick, N.J. and a storage unit located within the Lackland Self Storage facility at 1555 Livingston Ave., North Brunswick, N.J. Located within the residence was approximately 411 grams of cocaine and $1,257 U.S. Currency. A search of the Lackland Self Storage facility resulted in the seizure of approximately 2,533 grams of cocaine, $73,000 U.S. Currency, a loaded .38 caliber revolver and a semi-automatic 9mm handgun. The NJNEOA commends Detective Maclosky and all the other officers and agencies who participated in the investigation.

Executive Board 2011-12

Michael J. Barbato, President Woodbridge PD (Retired)

Albert J. Camisa, 1st Vice-President Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (Retired) Peter Simon, 2nd Vice-President Perth Amboy PD (Retired)

Eileen McGuire, Corresponding/Recording/ Executive Secretary Union County Prosecutor’s Office Frank Gennaro, Counsel New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (Retired)

John Sartori, 3rd Vice-President Hackensack PD (Retired)

Jacquelynn Seely, Co-Counsel Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Walter Braxton, Treasurer New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (Retired) Vincent Moscaritola, Financial Secretary Essex County Sheriff’s Department (Retired)

Theodore J. Romankow, Co-Counsel Union County Prosecutor’s Office Terrence Farley, Co-Counsel Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office (Retired)

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NJNEOA News

Counsel’s Column

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

One More Thing to Consider

By Frank M. Gennaro, Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (Retired)

Supreme Court Revisits Limits on the Use of Opinion Testimony in Drug Cases

n late March of 2011, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a ruling which will limit the nature and extent of opinion testimony provided by law enforcement officers in drug cases. In State v. McLean, a police officer, who was called as a fact witness rather than an expert on drug transactions, was permitted to testify that he had observed the transfer of money for small unidentified items, and offered the opinion that he had observed a hand-to-hand drug transaction. Such testimony is quite common in drug cases. The defense attorney objected to the admission of the officer’s opinion. The trial judge allowed the testimony to be admitted as lay opinion testimony. The Appellate Division affirmed the conviction, but the Supreme Court reversed, holding that the admission of the opinion testimony was prejudicial to the defendant. Opinion testimony ordinarily comes from a witness who has been qualified as expert in a particular field. Expert testimony is admissible when the subject matter of the opinion is beyond the understanding of ordinary jurors and will help the jury determine the issues in dispute. Thus, police experts routinely are permitted to testify as to the methods and practices of those who unlawfully distribute controlled dangerous substances. The Evidence Rules also permit the admission of opinions by witnesses who have not been qualified as experts in limited circumstances, where the opinion is based on the perception of the witness and will aid a jury in its fact-finding function.

The McLean decision does not affect the admissibility of proper expert or lay opinion. Instead, McLean stands for the proposition that, in the context of a hand-to-hand drug case, there is no need for expert, let alone, lay opinion on the issue of whether the transfer of money for items which later turn out to be drugs constitutes a distribution of CDS. That concept is not beyond the understanding of ordinarily jurors. The Supreme Court ruled that an opinion such as the one offered in the McLean case usurped the jury’s function. A law enforcement witness may describe what he observed and may explain implications which are beyond the understanding of the jurors, but permitting the witness to give the opinion that he observed a CDS transaction is tantamount to an opinion that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged, and such testimony is forbidden. The witness in McLean had not been qualified as an expert. However, the Court reasoned that an opinion which would be improper coming from an expert is equally improper coming from a lay witness.

2011 BOD

Meeting Schedule September 20, 2011 Middlesex County Fire Academy Sayreville, N.J. October 18, 2011 South Seminar Lacey Township Elks Lacey, N.J. November 15, 2011 Linden, N.J.

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NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

OCTOBER October SEMINAR Seminar Founded in 1965

New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association P.O. Box 567, Nutley, NJ 07110 Tel: 973-661-4362 / Fax: 973-661-4807

TUESDAY - OCTOBER 18, 2011 @ The Lacey Township Elks 900 Beach Boulevard Forked River, N.J. “Informant Handling, Documentation & Use of in Narcotic Investigations” Presented by Director Edward Kirschenbaum - Neptune PD “Bath Salts - The Newest Trend” Presented by Supervisor Steve Tori - Magloclen Analytical Unit “Use of Surveillance Equipment in Narcotic Investigations” Presented by Supervisor William Popovic - Magloclen Equipment Unit

RANK:

NAME:

AGENCY: ADDRESS: CITY:

STATE:

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TELEPHONE: MEMBER ID #:

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Cost: Members & Non-Members - Free

See directions on back cover PLEASE FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION/PRINT AND SUBMIT TO: N.J.N.E.O.A. / OCTOBER SEMINAR, P.O. 514 EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. 08816 Registration 8 am — 9 am - Class is 9 — 4 pm. Questions: Contact A.J. Camisa, NJNEOA Seminar Co-Chairman (732) 925-1998 Recognized by New Jersey Attorney General’s Narcotic Action Plan & New Jersey State Chief’s of Police Association

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NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

NNOAC WASHINGTON, DC CONFERENCE OUTLINE

January 29 – February 2, 2011

President Ron Brooks report: •

•

Unprecedented levels of drug related violence anticipated nationally in the near future due to the reduction of police forces, especially specialized units that target drug and gang enforcement

Vice President Bob Bushman’s report: • • •

Make local/state contact with our elected officials and staffers to educate them and encourage continued support Let local/state politicians know that you are not only a voter and constituent but have a voice through the NNOAC on the national level All states fiscal situation is very similar to New Jersey

• •

DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart: DEA Working & Partnership with State and Local Law Enforcement • • • •

Capitol Hill Report (Ben Bawden, Sr. VP, The Charles Group) • • • • • • • • •

Mix of traditional and new-age issues for public safety Importance of “messaging at home” Congress telling law enforcement that unless they hear about ByrneJAG and other funding issues at home then it won’t be on their radar Suggests meeting with your representatives several times throughout the year at NJ offices NNOAC has the lead role nationally in working to maintain funding levels Critically important to emphasize the effectiveness of Task Forces (that focus on the local and regional drug trafficking organizations, not just low level drug dealers) The strongest argument in support of Byrne-JAG is that the Task Forces are dismantling DTO’s, not arresting a lot of drug dealers/ offenders Congress & Senate are not supporting ‘earmarks’ in the budget, only line-items Note: Send me any Task Force ‘Success Stories’ that can be included as support for Byrne-JAG funding

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15 products sold in US that contain pseudoephedrine $15 billion in sales in US (90% meth related) ‘One Pot Product’ – a smaller meth production facility that is becoming more prominent and something that can be easily overlooked BOLO / NJ in near future

•

The Impact of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in LA • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Over 98% of all “patients” have soft tissue injuries (meaning “anything that hurts”) Only 1-2% have cancer or a more serious illness 70% of patients are under 40 years of age Fridays from 2PM – Sunday at 12 noon à most traffic into dispensaries Cash business à ATM on the premises Black market prices (same price for marijuana in dispensaries as on the street à prices were supposed to go down) UC Buy Operation / Study: Marijuana was found to have an insecticide for a particular breed of red ant that is found only in Mexico Medical marijuana is supposed to be grown locally Numbers of robberies and murders have increased Marketing: handing out flyers (“1st gram free) outside high schools California Law: immunity for doctors to prescribe medical marijuana Average doctor sees 8 patients/day Medical marijuana Dr. sees 25 – 50 patients/day à $175,000/ month = $2.1 million/year profit LA county investigative approach: stay under the radar and conduct financial investigations (tax evasion, money laundering)

Update on Global Trend – Mexico • • •

#1 Organized crime threat 7 cartels à because of hard line strategy of drug enforcement over 30,000 murders of mostly cartel members There is no immediate spill-over violence in US

75% of worlds biggest drug dealers under indictment 53% of worlds biggest drug dealers arrested 27% of worlds biggest drug dealers extradited to the US If Task Forces (and funding for TF’s) are reduced there will be a direct impact on these numbers Increase of 43% in on duty law enforcement deaths 15 states with medical marijuana have had high spikes in teen marijuana use Fed. Gov’t. will actively prosecute marijuana cases where appropriate In past 5 yearsà 50% increase in asset sharing with state and local agencies Prescription drugs à major new threat Medical marijuana has NOT been cultivated locally as advertised (across borders) Legalization and medical marijuana proponents are NOT on the same team because if marijuana is legalized à you wouldn’t need medical marijuana à billions of $$ are at stake in revenue

The Future of the National Guard’s Counterdrug Program and the Counterdrug School Program

Pseudoephedrine Control Policy: • • •

Impact on transnational distribution: purity level decreased by 30%, price increased by 80 – 100% Mexican DTO’s moving to Guatemala, Honduras, Panama 2012 – New Mexican Presidential election à most likely a new party.

Vast majority of funding comes from earmarks in the budget Training budgets have been slashed from $28 million to at most $10 million MCTFT lost 80% of their budget MCTFT lost ¾ of staff (24 à 6) Classes reduced from 400 à8 New focus will be on Distance Learning/internet Talk about shutting down National Guard training all together This training was a major training resource for all drug enforcement officers à Speak/send letters to your representatives reminding them how important the National Guard training is to law enforcement Best outlook for future is 2013

Crisis on the Border – Sheriff Paul Babeu, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Az. (National Sheriff of the Year) • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Over ½ of the illegal’s entering the US come through Arizona 500,000 – 1 million people crossed border undetected in 2009 250,000 illegals caught by US Border Patrol in 2009 17% of those caught have a criminal record in the US From a public safety perspective – 17% of the 500,00 – 1 million people that are undetected and enter the US will have a criminal record Pinal County, Az à #1 location for drug/human smuggling in US Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano is not giving a realistic outlook/appraisal of the problem securing the borders Smugglers have set up 15 noted listening/viewing post to monitor police activity Solution: McCain/Kyl ’10 Point Border Security Plan’ Has been successful in Yuma sector of Az à 96% reduction / $3.5 million 6,000 armed soldiers Build double-barrier fences End catch and release

Conclusion: The most important ‘take away’ from this conference is that New Jersey law enforcement is in the same situation as police agencies throughout the country, and in fact, in many areas we are ahead of the curve and in better shape than most other states. The most critical issue discussed was the importance of maintaining federal funding levels for the grants that most directly affect Drug Task Forces and training and unless your Representatives and politicians hear directly from local law enforcement in their home states it will not be on their radar.

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NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

Joke of the Quarter Taking it with you...As Mr. Smith was on his death bed, he attempted to formulate a plan that would allow him to take at least some of his considerable wealth with him. He called for the three men he trusted most his lawyer, his doctor, and his clergyman. He told them, “I’m going to give you each $30,000 in cash before I die. At my funeral, I want you to place the money in my coffin so that I can try to take it with me.” All three agreed to do this and were given the money. At the funeral, each approached the coffin in turn and placed an envelope inside. While riding in the limousine to the cemetery, the clergyman said “I have to confess something to you fellows. Brother Smith was a good churchman all his

life and I know he would have wanted me to do this. The church needed a new baptistery very badly, and I took $10,000 of the money he gave me and bought one. I only put $20,000 in the coffin.” The physician then said, “Well, since we’re confiding in one another, I might as well tell you that I didn’t put the full $30,000 in the coffin either. Smith had a disease that could have been diagnosed sooner if I had this very new machine, but the machine cost $20,000 and I couldn’t afford it then. I used $20,000 of the money to buy the machine so that I might be able to save another patient. I know that Smith would have wanted me to do that.” The lawyer then said, “I’m ashamed of both of you. When I put my envelope into that coffin, it held my personal check for the full $30,000.”

Established 1965

About NJNEOA

The NJNEOA was organized to encourage mutual cooperation, discussion and interest in the problems of enforcement concerning drug abuse; to exchange ideas and conduct seminars and conferences to educate those involved in the abatement of the illegal narcotic trade. The NJNEOA is a member of the National Narcotic Officers Association Coalition. The NNOAC represents 35 member states at the national level meeting with legislators, members of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and several legislative committees. This enables state and local law enforcement issues to be heard by our elected representatives in Washington, D.C.

QUOTE OF THE QUARTER Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences. - Susan B. Anthony  Page 11 

NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2 NEW JERSEY NARCOTIC ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

2011 POSITION PAPER

his year marks the 42nd Annual Conference of the New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. At this time, it is fitting that we state some of the positions held by our Association on issues which have been addressed at this conference. Now in its 46th year of service to law enforcement and the public, the NJNEOA continues to provide education and training on topics vital to narcotics enforcement. At this conference, we have provided instruction on such topics as legal issues that affect the narcotics investigation, using female undercovers in narcotics investigations, gangs in New Jersey and their involvement in narcotics, and medical marijuana; a national perspective and what it means to New Jersey. The theme of our conference has been, “Gangs, Guns, Violence: The Common denominator is the Illegal Drug Trade.” Since its inception, the N JNEOA has maintained that narcotics enforcement must be the number one priority of law enforcement. This principle has come under increasing attack in recent years.

So called experts have assured us that the idea of a war on drugs is an outdated concept which has failed. Their evidence? Even though drugs are illegal, we still have drug users. These intellectual luminaries seem not to have noticed that, although theft has been against the law since Moses came down the mountain with his tablets, things still tend to be stolen. We have never been so naïve as to expect that our narcotics enforcement efforts will ever do away with all illegal drug use. No matter what we do, we understand that some misguided few will always experiment with illegal drugs. Instead, our enforcement efforts are, and always have been, focused on eliminating the violence, corruption and decay that illegal narcotics distributors cause in our communities. Today, gangs are increasingly responsible for this damage to out communities. Violent street gangs are responsible for more than 40 percent of all narcotics sales in many areas. In some cities, up to 80 percent of all crimes are attributable to gang activity. The gangs exist for the purpose of doing violence. The

illicit sale of drugs provides the gangs with the revenue necessary to permit gang members to pursue their perverted life style. The highest purpose of government is to ensure that its citizens are safe in their homes and on the street. Gang activity is the greatest threat to the safety of law abiding citizens. Therefore, if it does nothing else, law enforcement must combat violent street gangs, and narcotics enforcement is an integral part of this struggle. Yet, although that conclusion seems inescapable, some do not accept it. Many “experts” are of the opinion that the surest way to end the violence is to legalize drugs. Indeed, a former Seattle police chief, who is now a spokesman for the marijuana legalization group “NORML,” has even concluded that drug legalization will put an end to the heavily armed Mexican drug gangs which are terrorizing our southern border. The NJNEOA rejects this simple minded approach. Take a case in point. A major city is plagued by drug violence. There are dozens of drug-related murders. Illicit Continued on page 14

SHOP

To enter the NJNEOA Cyber Shopping Mall go to: www.ourgv.com/njneoa.html  Page 12 

The NJNEOA provides education and training to law enforcement officers tasked with investigating those involved in the illegal drug trade. In order to fund that training the NJNEOA has partnered with over 1,000 stores in the NJNEOA Cyber Shopping Mall. Each time a NJNEOA Cyber Shopping Mall store is visited or a purchase is made, a donation will be made to the NJNEOA. These are the same web sites for the stores if you were to just Google and visit their site. The only difference is that if you enter their store through our link, your association receives a donation on your behalf. Please visit frequently and check out the weekly coupons/sales.

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Membership

JNEOA membership dues coincide with the calendar year. With that in mind, the NJNEOA dues statements will be mailed to those members whose membership needs to be renewed for 2012, during October. All dues payments must be made prior to January 1st for a member to remain in active status. Those individuals who haven’t submitted their payment by that time will be placed into an inactive status and will no longer receive their issues of the NJNEOA Narco News nor will they have access to the “Member’s Area” of the website. Once that happens, there will be an assessment of a $20 arrears fee added to the dues in order to re-activate their membership in the association. Due to rising costs, the association can no longer continue to mail newsletters to individual who fail to keep current in their membership status. If your agency pays your dues, please present them with the copy of your statement in a timely fashion so that they can make the proper arrangements. If they are going to discontinue doing so, but you would like to remain a member, please advise us of same and

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Credit Card

The New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officer’s Association accepts credit cards for dues payment, seminar and conference registration fees.

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Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

we will keep you active while your payment is being sent. In this instance the arrears fee will be waived. A review of our membership database reflects that many agencies frequently “Flip-Flop” their officer’s membership in the association from year to year. Membership in the NJNEOA is on an individual basis not a number of officers from a particular agency. This “Flip-Flop” creates an administrative nightmare as well as unnecessary work and expense due to the following reasons: an application must be submitted and be voted on in order to become a member of the NJNEOA, and only members with an active status are to receive quarterly issues of the Newsletter, therefore, “Flip-Flopping” membership necessitates the de-activation and re-activation of individual’s memberships from year to year. This is why there will be an arrears fee assessed on those individual’s memberships that lapse for a year. So please inform your agency of this NJNEOA policy if they fall within this practice. Remember, the association does accept credit cards, so payment can be made online by utilizing the dues payment link in the “Member’s area.” If you need to be reinstated, simply go online and utilize the “Join” link to pay your dues online by credit card. In the area where it asks for sponsor, simply type in renewal. You can also just mail a check to make your dues payment. Once payment is received, you will then be given access to the website’s member’s area again. It is imperative that you supply us with an email address for a means of contact and it is also important to keep us apprised of any change of address so that we can continue to send you your copy of the quarterly newspaper. Lastly, as a benefit for being a member, all attendees to our 43rd Annual training conference in Atlantic City, who are members of the NJNEOA, will continue to receive a $45 discount on their registration. Remember dues must be current at the time of registration in order to receive the discount.

Simply visit us online, click on the appropriate link and completely fill out the form.

www.njneoa.com  Page 13 

NJNEOA News

Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

Continued from page 12

drug distributors are heavily armed and employ fortifications and vicious dogs to protect their illegal inventories. Lawyers, real estate brokers and bankers are corrupted by massive money laundering schemes. Is this New York, Miami or Los Angeles? No, the city is Amsterdam, Holland. Amsterdam, the example long used by the legalization advocates as the model of enlightenment for our new world where the idea of a war on drugs is obsolete. Although marijuana use is legal there, violence perpetrated by the illegal drug trade has brought Holland’s police commissioner to the conclusion that “Cannabis is a threat to our democracy.” Gangs that grow marijuana in Holland for export are blamed

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for the spread of violence in the Netherlands. Faced with this reality, it should be apparent to any thinking person that, however tempting, surrender is not the answer to our problem. Instead, the challenge of gangs, guns and violence must be met by a coordinated effort at all levels of government to reduce both the supply of and the demand for illegal drugs. Vigorous enforcement efforts against violent gang members are an essential element in combating the supply side of the problem. The NJNEOA remains ready, willing and able to do its part to ensure that law enforcement officers have the tools needed to do the job.

Super Raffle Winners

his year’s winners of the NJNEOA Super Raffle drawing that were picked at the 42nd Annual Training Conference, on June 16th, at the Hilton Hotel & Casino are as follows:

First Prize - $10,000 #276 Victor Lopez Second Prize - $1,000 167 Jay & Kathy Rice Third Prize - $1,000 #184 John Barich Fourth Prize - $1,000 #157 Michael Simon Fifth Prize - $1,000 #119 James Smith Sixth prize - $1,000 #273 Vincent Moscaritola  Page 14 

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Summer, 2011 - Vol. 22, No. 2

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New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association P.O. Box 567 Nutley, NJ 07110 Tel: 973-661-4362 / Fax: 973-661-4807

First Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid Duluth, MN Permit No. 1003

That’s right! You can now check us out on Facebook. Just go to Facebook.com and friend us @Welcome to NJNEOA. You’d be amazed how many old friends from throughout the years you might have worked with you will find there. It’s also an easy way to keep in touch with what’s going on in the Association. So if even you’re not a Facebook fanatic, sign up today and become a friend of the NJNEOA.

Directions

LACEY ELKS – B.P.O.E. #2518 900 Beach Boulevard Forked River, N.J. 08731 (609) 693-1281

GARDEN STATE PARKWAY: SOUTH / NORTH: Exit 74 toward FORKED RIVER and merge onto LACEY ROAD Turn right on to SOUTH MAIN STREET / US 9 Turn left at BEACH BOULEVARD.