INCREASED AIRPORT SECURITY COINCIDES WITH REDUCED DRUG TRAFFIC

HEBRON, Ky. -- Drug-related arrests and seizures have dropped dramatically
at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport since security
was stepped up in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, officials say.

"I think it's fair to say, given the increased security, we're seeing fewer
drug couriers using the airports to carry drugs," said Gregory Van
Tatenhove, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

David Fessler, an attorney who often represents alleged drug traffickers
from the airport, said he has seen a big drop in the number of cases in the
past few months. Steve Howe, another defense attorney, said ever since
airport security required definitive identification of all passengers, drug
smugglers have looked for other ways to transport their wares.

"It would seem to me that with all the stepped-up security at the airport,
those inclined to bring drugs illegally through the airport are not doing
so now," Fessler said. "I'm sure there's another way they are getting here."

Law enforcement officials who patrol Kentucky's roads say that is, indeed,
the case.

Just last week, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement officers in Franklin, on the
Kentucky-Tennessee border, became suspicious of a trucker who said he was
hauling an empty trailer from California to Indiana. When they searched his
truck, they found nearly 60 pounds of cocaine and $600,000, believed to be
the largest drug bust ever on Kentucky highways.

"I haven't seen any changes," said Jim Paine, the director of the Northern
Kentucky Drug Strike Force, which concentrates on street-level sales. "If
anything, our workload has increased."

The increased security at airports has made officers more aware of the
potential of drug runners to use the highways, said Maj. David Herald, head
of special operations for the enforcement division.

"They're doing a better job of interviewing," Herald said. "I think better
investigations are being done at the roadside -- they're asking more
questions and finding out what's happening."

Authorities say they don't have firm numbers to back up their suspicions of
less drug traffic at the airport. Chuck Melville, the northern Kentucky
airport's chief of police, is certain the random search of bags and other
measures haven't wiped out drug trafficking there completely.

"Airport interdiction had been successful to a degree," Melville said. "We
see a move toward highways and shipping (drugs) through freight carriers."

But that trend began even before Sept. 11 and the increased airport
security that followed. And while dealers may be steering clear of the
airport, Melville said, people still are trying to sneak a few ounces of
pot into their suitcases to take back home.

"We've made some good cases, and we have seen a decline in the number of
people flying in with large amounts of drugs," he said. "We're still
finding drugs, but they're more on the user level."