Guatemala Realigns Anti-Drug Body
Guatemalan Interior Minister Carlos Vielman announced "profound realignment" of the national Anti-Drug Services (SAIA) after the arrest of three SAIA agents in the United States.

Four months of coordinated investigation led to Tuesday's arrest of SAIA head, Capt. Adan Castillo, Deputy Jorge Aguilar, and officer Rubilio Orlando Palacios, head of Port Santo Tomás de Castilla in Izabal.

All three are charged with attempt to introduce illegal drugs into the US while taking training courses from the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

As some rule changes, Minister Vielmann mentioned salary improvement, allowing police to have charge of raids and confiscation and confining SAIA to intelligence.

National Civilian Police director Erwin Sperisen said the DEA will support the SAIA realignment as part of the Maya Jaguar Plan.

President Oscar Berger said he will request a three-year congressional extension of this project that coordinates joint national police, DEA and Army operations.