Drug and WMD Smugglers Could Team Up, Officials Say

U.S. officials yesterday expressed concern that terrorists could team up with drug smugglers in Latin America to transfer weapons of mass destruction into the United States along established drug routes, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, May 28).

Members of radical groups have already been found in Latin America gathering funds and carrying out other activities, said Charles Allen, intelligence analysis head for the Homeland Security Department.

"The presence of these people in the region leaves open the possibility that they will attempt to attack the United States," Allen said. "The threats in this hemisphere are real. We cannot ignore them."

Michael Braun, operations chief for the Drug Enforcement Administration, added: "It is not in our interest to let that potpourri of scum to come together."

Officials also suggested that al-Qaeda or other groups could use cocaine profits to help fund their activities (Curt Anderson, Associated Press