Law enforcement officials nationwide, already strained by added security work since Sept. 11, say the FBI's sweeping reorganization could hamper their ability to fight drug traffickers and white-collar criminals. Some authorities have urged the government to increase funding to local agencies. Others say they're prepared to take on the FBI's responsibilities in investigations into drug and gang activity, bank robberies and fraud. "All the sheriffs in the country are making an extra effort and we'll continue to do that," said Monroe County, Ga., Sheriff John Cary Bittick, president of the National Sheriffs' Association. "I think it can be done, and I think we're obligated to make it happen." FBI Director Robert Mueller has proposed shifting hundreds of agents, mostly from drug and white-collar crime investigations, to focus on terrorism. A new assistant director, Louis F. Quijas, also is slated to coordinate better relationships with state and local police.
Doing a really, really good job at killing the terror network could have the pleasant side effect of also killing the main international drug producers. |