FIGHTING DRUG TRADE

Re the Feb. 18 story U.S. base with vital role in drug war facing
closure: As a retired police officer, I was surprised at the story's
sky-is-falling tone about the impending loss of the airbase in Manta, Ecuador.

The cartels smuggle in tons of cocaine and heroin. They have built
into their business model the loss of a certain percentage of their
product because of the planes at Manta. Therefore, every ton seized
is meaningless.

The price of cocaine and heroin has been dropping during the past 30
years, indicating an oversupply. Prohibition guarantees that Miami
will always have an ample supply of drugs. As the sale of drugs
funnels billions to terrorists, will we ever be as wise as our
grandparents and end the new prohibition?

Howard J. Wooldridge, education specialist

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Washington, D.C.