Hello Everyone,
Evelyn Here,
I believe it is very clear by now that I do not like the sell and/or use of illegal drugs. I have never agreed with the use of marijuana for medical purposes and believed that much of its use has been discontinued and is being discontinued. In addition, from many of the entries I have placed on this blog it is plain to all that I am trying to stop the sell of drugs on the corner of my street. It is a revolting practice and it has destroys thousands and thousands of lives directly and indirectly. However, there are even shadier aspect to the illegal drug trade that is little talked about or known and that is the use of teenage boys and girls to carry illegal drugs from one location to another. As much as we try to protect our children from the use of the drugs, many of us seldom, if ever, think that our sons or daughters may be transporting it.
Today I learned that such teenagers are used routinely to transport illegal drugs, and that they are called “Mule”. They have earned the name because they transport the drugs for the adult traffickers. How does this happen? One reasioon is that the teen is seeking what he or she think is quick and easy cash and lots of it. another is to become accepted among their peers (to have lots and lots of friends), and many do it because they are made to believe that one: they will not get caught and two: if caught the penalty is mild because of their youthful age.
From the June 12, 2006 new release below some teens are beginning to see that youth not is a deterrent to paying the price for breaking the law.
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Charlie Crist
Attorney General
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News Release |
Date of release: June 12, 2006
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Lee County Teen Drug "Mule" Pleads Guilty |
TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Charlie Crist announced today that a Lee County teenager pled guilty for his role in a drug trafficking ring. Jeremy Christopher Walker, 19, of Lehigh Acres, pled guilty to acting as a "mule," someone who simply transports the drugs for the traffickers.
Walker was pulled over for speeding by authorities with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office during a routine traffic stop. He gave officers a false name and was arrested. Because he appeared visibly nervous, officers had a canine perform a "free air sniff" of Walker’s car and the dog alerted authorities to the trunk. A search of the trunk revealed 5.5 kilos of cocaine in a canvas bag, valued at $110,000. Walker admitted he was transporting the drugs from Miami to the Lee County area.
"The lure of a big payday has led this teenager down a tragic path," said Crist. "This case sends a clear signal that even the lowest-ranking member of a drug ring can pay a heavy price."
Walker was charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine – 400 grams or more, one count of driving with license suspended – third or more offense, and one count of giving a false name or identification to a law enforcement officer. He will be sentenced at a later date by Circuit Court Judge Thomas S. Reese. The case was prosecuted by Crist’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
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Evelyn out.
