NEA logged 45 new drug cases since January

By: L.N. Reklai
November 2, 2017 (Koror, Palau) Narcotics Enforcement Agency, formerly Belau Drug Enforcement Taskforce (BDEF), logged 45 new drug cases from January 1st to September 31st of this year, according to annual report submitted to Vice President and Minister of Justice Raynold Oilouch yesterday.

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Of the 45 new cases, 13 have been forwarded for prosecution and 29 are on-going investigations.
In addition, NEA had seized a total of 723.7 grams of methamphetamine, 3 firearms and ammunitions, over $12,000 cash and counterfeit bills.
Speedy Trial Decision, Relocation of new NEA Office and more court appearances demanded by prior cases are some of the challenges faced by the drug enforcement agency, the report states.
From October 2015 to December 2016, then BDEF generated about 128 drug operations, 94 of them became cases, 52 resulted in convictions, 43 were forwarded and 3 were dismissed.
Some of the previous cases in court now requires NEA agents formerly BDEF agents, to testify during trials.
Thirteen new cases have been forward to Attorney General’s Office for prosecution. [/restrict]