The group’s president, Gregorio S. Cruz Jr., was reacting to Fitial’s criticism of the operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Authorities involving newly arrived visitors from China.
Cruz said he disagreed with the governor’s “conspiracy theory.”
According to Fitial, the federal authorities deliberately embarrassed his administration by requiring the Chinese tourists to undergo a drug search upon their arrival at the Saipan airport last week.
“Are you are now promoting that the DEA should give immunity or special privileges to inbound tourists from random searches or pat-downs and let them walk right through our borders regardless whether there was probable cause that a passenger might be carrying illegal drugs?” Cruz asked the governor.
But Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes said Cruz’s view is not shared by the majority in the community, particularly by the tourism industry.
“It is clear that Mr. Cruz is against any position the governor takes regardless of the merits of the issue,” Reyes said. “Cruz clearly fails to appreciate the gravity of the situation and the potential adverse effects to our tourism-based economy.”
Instead of blaming the DEA, Cruz said it should be commended for ensuring that illegal drugs do not enter the CNMI.
“What have you done to deter such illegal activities in our homeland?” he asked the governor.
As a governor, he said. Fitial is duty bound to evaluate and control the situation on island without giving favors to visitors “just to uphold the tourism industry.”
“What transpired recently over the weekend at the airport with the inbound Chinese tourists is unfortunate, but there is no excuse when there is probable cause, especially in the importation of illegal drugs, Cruz said
He said the illegal drug trade is becoming rampant, citing the recent arrest of Chinese nationals who were selling drugs even to teenagers.
He encouraged the governor to see for himself the activities in Garapan starting at 9 p.m.
Prostitution, he added, is “very open and when there’s prostitution there are drugs involved and illegal gambling.”
