War on drugs: DEA makes over 30,000 arrests annually over illegal drugs

Posted on 06-20-2017 Posted in Addiction Drug Abuse - 0 Comments

Associated with several leading causes of death in the United States, illicit drug use has led to many incidents involving mental illnesses, violence, motor vehicle injuries and homicide. Considered a major public health issue in the country, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) makes over 30,000 arrests each year pertaining to sale and purchase of illegal drugs.

Even as DEA officials in various divisions have been fighting against the sales of illegal drugs across the U.S., the recent news of arrest of a Miami-Dade County investigator in a case of drug trafficking has come as a shocker. On May 31, 2017, Daniel Vuelta was arrested on charges of selling cocaine and ecstasy to an undercover Coral Gables police officer.

A supervisor of contractor investigations section for the Miami-Dade County’s Department of Regulatory and Economic Services, Vuelta’s job involved busting fake contractors within the county. Vuelta, 54, was arrested after police raided his Coral Gables residence and discovered drugs, pipes, rolling papers, etc.

According to the police report, Vuelta had sold cocaine and ecstasy to the undercover agent twice last month. “On May 17 they purchased some ecstasy pills, they went back again on May 22 and made another purchase from the subject,” said police spokesperson Kelly Denham. In addition to Vuelta, two others – Rafaela Castellon and Daniel Pardo – were also arrested from the Coral Gables house.

Drug trafficking in US

Considered the most profitable in the world, illegal drug market in the U.S. attracts the most ruthless and sophisticated drug traffickers from across the globe. While the DEA faces an enormous challenge protecting the country’s border, each year sees millions of vehicles cross by land and sea with many of them concealing heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and many other drugs ready for distribution in the U.S. market.

As per the National Drug Intelligence Center, Department of Justice, most foreign-produced illicit drugs in the U.S. are smuggled through borders along Mexico and Canada. Among the drugs that have seen an increase in smuggling in the country include marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine. According to the DEA, the agency made more than 31,000 domestic arrests in 2015 pertaining to illegal drugs.

Pence at Miami conference

On June 15, 2017, at an event in Florida, Vice President Mike Pence, joined by Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, discussed several issues faced by Central America. The conference that brought together leaders from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras highlighted issues concerning economy and drug smuggling.

Speaking on drug trafficking, illegal migration and gang violence, Pence stated, “We stand with you in your commitment to stop the scourge of drug trafficking once and for all. And the United States of America stands with you as you build a more secure and prosperous future for the benefit of your people and the benefit of the Western Hemisphere.” As per Tillerson, a safer and prosperous Central America would help put an end to gang violence, illegal migration and transnational drug cartels.

A Schedule I drug, ecstasy is a synthetic drug that can cause changes in mood and awareness among users. A stimulant and mild hallucinogen, ecstasy can be taken along with other illicit drugs or alcohol. Similar to ecstasy, cocaine use is known to stimulate the key pleasure centers of the brain and heighten the sense of euphoria. An extremely addictive substance, cocaine can have a powerful impact on a user’s health and well-being. Its overdose can lead to seizures, heart failure, respiratory failure and stroke.

Road to recovery

At Sovereign Health, we understand that every patient is different and that everyone takes to drugs for a different reason. Therefore, basis a thorough pre-assessment, each of our patient is offered an individualized treatment plan that may involve medically assisted detoxification, behavioral therapies and experiential therapy.

Sovereign Health of Florida offers treatment for cocaine addiction at both its Fort Myers and Pompano Beach facilities. For more information on our finest addiction treatment programs or to locate our state-of-the-art cocaine rehab centers near you, please call our 24/7 helpline number or chat online with one of our representatives.