Gangs From China, Russia, Japan, S. Korea Flock to the Pacific
The two territories are "high risk security areas" due to the activities of "Chinese Triad gangs, Japanese Yakuza, Russian Mafia, and Korean Mafia organizations", the report published Wednesday said.
Marianas ***Variety*** newspaper Wednesday published extracts from a report prepared by R.G. Meissner, a regional security specialist for the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia.
The report submitted in April said the United States was concerned over criminal activities in the Marianas which involve illegal drugs, money laundering, gambling, prostitution and people-smuggling, AFP reported.
"If the present high risk environment is allowed to stand, it will continue to threaten federal and public interests and seriously jeopardize the national security of the United States," the report said.
It said laws that govern the U.S.-Marianas relationship were "products" of an environment that existed decades ago.
"The current environment has changed radically since that time and so has the need to more aggressively protect the homeland," the report said.
"We cannot lose sight of the fact that the homeland extends into the far reaches of the Pacific (and) Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Micronesia and other Pacific locations require special security attention and consideration," it said.
Meissner said the lack of federal jurisdiction over immigration, customs and financial matters in the Northern Marianas coupled with a history of deliberate territorial indifference fuelled crime and corruption. The report said "Most common illegal activities" in the Northern Marianas and Guam were "public corruption, the importation and sale of crystal methamphetamine or 'ice,' and immigration crimes."
Rackets abetted by corruption have led not only to the entry of a large number of illegal foreigners, but members of criminal gangs, the report said. Members of "Chinese Triad gangs, Japanese Yakuza, Russian Mafia, and Korean Mafia organizations" participate to "some degree in the criminal activities in the Northern Marianas."
Gambling, prostitution, drugs, money laundering and the exploitation of the alien population are "fully orchestrated" by these gangs, the report said.
Meissner's main recommendation is for the U.S. Department of Justice to extend federal immigration law to the Northern Marianas.
He wants a review of the territorial customs functions of Guam and the Northern Marianas and considering putting them under federal control. The report wants the U.S. Customs Service and Inland Revenue Department to open offices in the Northern Marianas.
"Until the federal government has more control of the vital programs which allow it to function in a measured and secure fashion, the risk to U.S. interests will remain high," the report said.
Guam, 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) south of Tokyo and east of Manila, has a population of around 152,000. A US unincorporated territory, it hosts major naval and air bases.
Northern Marianas, a chain of islands north of Guam, has a population of around 70,000, most of them on Saipan.
Many years ago it sparked controversy over the "sweat shop" style clothing factories set up by mainly Asian businesses which were using the "Made in USA" label.