03-03-2009, 10:14 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-03-2009, 10:35 PM by Tosh Plumlee.)
Something of interest in reference to the 'Drug War" from an old friend:
".... Terry Nelson's law-enforcement career spanned three decades. It included service in the US Border Patrol, the US Customs Service, and the Department of Homeland Security, taking him beyond US borders into Mexico, Central America, and South America. In various capacities he acquired first-hand knowledge of the "War on Drugs," being directly involved in counter-narcotics missions. He labored with distinction, even receiving special Congressional recognition for his work. "But," he says, "as the 'War on Drugs' went on and on I never saw any visible progress - and only limited discussion about the lack of progress. Something was wrong with this picture."
Terry came to understand drug prohibition was doing more harm than good and that the United States needed a major policy change." For many years he had thought a lot about decriminalizing drugs but had not wanted to go so far as to legalize them. But the obvious lack of progress toward winning the war and the continued congratulatory backslapping unrelated to even incremental successes have made him conclude that enough is enough. Perpetuating the "War on Drugs" myth is dangerous to the well-being of the planet and lethal to future generations. Terry has decided the only solution is a policy of legalized regulation of all drugs. That decision led to his joining LEAP - the first group he has ever joined! "We must remove the criminal element from the drug trade, because it is destroying our society and crippling governments to the south of us. We must change the rules to win the real war."
Terry retired in 2005 as a GS-14 Air/Marine Group Supervisor. He is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, having served as a communications specialist in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. He served 9 years in the U.S. Border Patrol including a stint as Instructor and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, 3 years in marine operations in the Florida Keys, 1 year a Customs Inspector at DFW Airport, 7 years as an Air Interdiction Officer/Criminal Investigator, 2 years as Staff Officer to Director of Foreign Operations and 5 years on the staff of Field Director (SSB East) Surveillance Support Branch East. During this period SSBE team participated in the seizure of over 230,000 pounds of Cocaine and received the United States Interdiction Committee award for interdictions. "But to what avail - today drugs are cheaper, more potent, and far easier for our children to get than at the beginning of the war." ...".
Appeared on Mike Levine's radio program, previous DEA; a close friend.
http://www.expertwitnessradio.org/
Another friend who has paid the price will be on mike's show this week. Seems the previous addministration wants to put him away. I wonder why?
This week, Mike and Mark are joined by Celerino Castillo - Vietnam Vet and Ex-DEA agent - to talk about torture, the sorry state of the justice system and the "war on drugs". Listeners will want to check out the article on waterboarding referenced in the show, by Federal Judge Evan Wallach.
About the Guest:
![[Image: celememorial.gif]](http://www.expertwitnessradio.org/images/celememorial.gif)
CELERINO "CELE" CASTILLO III, is a 20-year veteran of both state and federal law enforcement with 12-year service in the U. S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. Mr. Castillo is a highly decorated DEA agent for his undercover operations in Central and South America. For several years, he was also placed in major cities like San Francisco and New York City for deep cover operations. He is an author of "Powderburns" Cocaine, Contras And The Drug War, and is an acclaimed public speaker and educator.
COURT QUALIFIED EXPERT WITNESS: For 20 years Mr. Castillo has qualified as an "expert witness" in criminal and civil trials, both for and against various state and federal law enforcement agencies, in the following subjects: Undercover tactics, entrapment, informant handling practices and procedures, all subjects related to drugs trafficking, money laundering, and international narcotics investigations, police profiling, research on federal documentation for the defense. (Bates)
![[Image: powderburns2.gif]](http://www.expertwitnessradio.org/images/powderburns2.gif)
MR. CASTILLO has written several internationally known articles against federal law enforcement corruption: "Written Statement of Celerino Castillo III, for The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence" 1998. He was mentioned in several articles on Informant Handling for The National Law Journal. ABC's Primetime Live, Dateline NBC, Discovery Channel and other numerous news magazines have done exclusive interviews on Mr. Castillo pertaining to "Outrageous Conduct" by the U.S. Government.
Links:
Cele Castillo's Website - powderburns.org
Judge Evan Wallach article - "Waterboarding Used to Be a Crime"
NPR Nance interview on Waterboarding
Mike's essay - "I volunteer to kidnap Ollie North"
".... Terry Nelson's law-enforcement career spanned three decades. It included service in the US Border Patrol, the US Customs Service, and the Department of Homeland Security, taking him beyond US borders into Mexico, Central America, and South America. In various capacities he acquired first-hand knowledge of the "War on Drugs," being directly involved in counter-narcotics missions. He labored with distinction, even receiving special Congressional recognition for his work. "But," he says, "as the 'War on Drugs' went on and on I never saw any visible progress - and only limited discussion about the lack of progress. Something was wrong with this picture."
Terry came to understand drug prohibition was doing more harm than good and that the United States needed a major policy change." For many years he had thought a lot about decriminalizing drugs but had not wanted to go so far as to legalize them. But the obvious lack of progress toward winning the war and the continued congratulatory backslapping unrelated to even incremental successes have made him conclude that enough is enough. Perpetuating the "War on Drugs" myth is dangerous to the well-being of the planet and lethal to future generations. Terry has decided the only solution is a policy of legalized regulation of all drugs. That decision led to his joining LEAP - the first group he has ever joined! "We must remove the criminal element from the drug trade, because it is destroying our society and crippling governments to the south of us. We must change the rules to win the real war."
Terry retired in 2005 as a GS-14 Air/Marine Group Supervisor. He is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, having served as a communications specialist in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. He served 9 years in the U.S. Border Patrol including a stint as Instructor and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, 3 years in marine operations in the Florida Keys, 1 year a Customs Inspector at DFW Airport, 7 years as an Air Interdiction Officer/Criminal Investigator, 2 years as Staff Officer to Director of Foreign Operations and 5 years on the staff of Field Director (SSB East) Surveillance Support Branch East. During this period SSBE team participated in the seizure of over 230,000 pounds of Cocaine and received the United States Interdiction Committee award for interdictions. "But to what avail - today drugs are cheaper, more potent, and far easier for our children to get than at the beginning of the war." ...".
Appeared on Mike Levine's radio program, previous DEA; a close friend.
http://www.expertwitnessradio.org/
Another friend who has paid the price will be on mike's show this week. Seems the previous addministration wants to put him away. I wonder why?
This week, Mike and Mark are joined by Celerino Castillo - Vietnam Vet and Ex-DEA agent - to talk about torture, the sorry state of the justice system and the "war on drugs". Listeners will want to check out the article on waterboarding referenced in the show, by Federal Judge Evan Wallach.
About the Guest:
CELERINO "CELE" CASTILLO III, is a 20-year veteran of both state and federal law enforcement with 12-year service in the U. S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. Mr. Castillo is a highly decorated DEA agent for his undercover operations in Central and South America. For several years, he was also placed in major cities like San Francisco and New York City for deep cover operations. He is an author of "Powderburns" Cocaine, Contras And The Drug War, and is an acclaimed public speaker and educator.COURT QUALIFIED EXPERT WITNESS: For 20 years Mr. Castillo has qualified as an "expert witness" in criminal and civil trials, both for and against various state and federal law enforcement agencies, in the following subjects: Undercover tactics, entrapment, informant handling practices and procedures, all subjects related to drugs trafficking, money laundering, and international narcotics investigations, police profiling, research on federal documentation for the defense. (Bates)
MR. CASTILLO has written several internationally known articles against federal law enforcement corruption: "Written Statement of Celerino Castillo III, for The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence" 1998. He was mentioned in several articles on Informant Handling for The National Law Journal. ABC's Primetime Live, Dateline NBC, Discovery Channel and other numerous news magazines have done exclusive interviews on Mr. Castillo pertaining to "Outrageous Conduct" by the U.S. Government.Links:
Cele Castillo's Website - powderburns.org
Judge Evan Wallach article - "Waterboarding Used to Be a Crime"
NPR Nance interview on Waterboarding
Mike's essay - "I volunteer to kidnap Ollie North"