Julie Ogo
IN response to the escalating issue of drug trafficking, Rep. Julie A. Ogo, Ind.-Rota, met with CNMI Customs Division Director Jose Mafnas on Feb. 15, 2023, to address various Customs-related matters, including plans to reinstate and fund the K9 operation on Rota.
Ogo emphasized Rota’s significance as the primary entry point from Guam and stressed the vital role of K9 inspections in preventing the illicit movement of contraband, particularly drugs, into the CNMI, thereby safeguarding the community, especially children.
In a follow-up letter, she expressed gratitude to Mafnas for accommodating the meeting and reiterated their discussion on reinstatement, training, and funding for a robust Customs operation involving well-trained canines and K9 officers.
Ogo requested regular updates on the implementation progress and pledged her support as a legislator concerning CNMI Customs Office affairs.
Progress toward reinstatement is already underway, with a customs officer undergoing certification on Saipan, followed by training on March 3, 2024, alongside the deployment of a canine unit to Rota.
Ogo referenced Public Law 19-86, Section 2, and Public Law 18-33, Section 2, to underscore the necessity of K9 operations across all three islands to combat contraband trafficking effectively.
She also hinted at future legislation aimed at strengthening laws or mandating voyage plans for all boaters departing any island to curb smuggling via small boats, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between Customs and various law enforcement divisions in the CNMI.
