problem: Lawrence Coughlin, a Congressman from Pennsylvania, who is very active on the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, and to whom I am very appreciative for coming down today; and my chairman, Congressman Lester Wolff from New York, who I think has done more than any other individual Congressman or elected official on a national scale in the effort against narcotics abuse and control in this country and all over the world.

At this time, Chairman Wolff, I would like to give you the opportunity to make any statement that you wish.

Mr. WOLFF. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

First, let me return the compliment to you. I think that Macon, Ga., and the entire United States can be proud of the work that you have done over the years with our Special Narcotics Committee. The efforts that you have contributed in attempting to stop the supply of drugs into our area from areas such as Mexico and South America, has really been outstanding.

Unfortunately, they generally say a prophet is without honor in his own area. I think it is about time that you did get the honors you deserve. We are very appreciative of the work that you have done on the committee. I have come here specifically to try to help in the efforts on the local scene as much as possible.

Primarily outstanding, I think, to the people here is the fact that your work in the marihuana area is particularly important for the Nation. Basically, people compare the present marihuana with the old ideas about marihuana when the THC or the material that is in marihuana that gives the young people the high was about twotenths of 1 percent. That was what the situation was during the sixties. Marihuana has increased in strength to a point now where it is anywhere from 10 to 30 times more potent as an agent, as a mindaltering substance. Those people who indicated that marihuana was a harmless substance really are not taking into consideration the type of product that is now being visited upon your young people.

And that is one of the major reasons why the work that you are doing, Mr. Chairman, at the Task Force on Drug Enforcement is so important to us.

I would also like to indicate that one of the major reasons for this committee coming into this area has been the success of the various agencies of government who have been helpful in interdicting very substantial quantities of drugs coming from Latin America, into the gateway in Florida. The Coast Guard, DEA, the Customs, have been imminently successful in halting some of the traffic there. And now, the traffic is being diverted because they feel that the area around Florida is getting a little bit too hot for the smugglers.

The smuggling in this country, by the way, adds up to a total drug deficit in the entire Nation today of about $57 billion. That is about twice the deficit that this country will have in its budget; $57 billion is what the total amount of the cost of drugs to our people in the United States is. And that is not including the social costs.

I think that it is important that when people who have in the past talked about the war on drugs talk today, that they really look at the situation as it presently exists. It is unfortunate that we are not winning that war. We can spend $140-some-odd billion to prevent

an enemy landing on our shores in a defense budget which is necessary to protect this Nation, but we are not spending sufficient money to protect this Nation from the intrusion of drugs, all of which are grown outside of our country.

And this is the major reason why we are so indebted to Congressman Evans and Congressman Coughlin who are members of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. These are additional duties that they have in addition to their work in the Congress. And I might say that in the Congress, much of the work we do is on a voluntary basis. So in addition to his regular legislative duties, Congressman Evans has contributed greatly to our continuing pursuit of the drug peddler who is perverting our youth.

For this, I want to congratulate you. And I want you to know that we are happy that you have chosen to bring the committee here to Georgia.

Mr. EVANS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

At this time, I would ask Congressman Coughlin for any remarks that he might wish to make.

Mr. COUGHLIN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

It is a pleasure for me to join you and the very distinguished chairman of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Wolff, at these hearings.

Congressman Wolff has a worldwide reputation in his efforts to control narcotics abuse and, indeed, in establishing this Select Committee and carrying forward its operations has distinguished himself in both the United States and throughout the world.

All reports indicate that drug trafficking in the Southeastern United States is still at a crisis stage. Homicides in Atlanta, which may or may not be linked to drug trafficking, have increased at an alarming rate. News accounts even in Washington and my hometown of Philadelphia are constantly referring to the numerous stolen and abandoned planes and boats found along the coastlines in Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana.

So it is very appropriate that Congressman Evans has taken a leadership role in this field to bring these hearings here to attempt to control the flow of drugs into this part of our Nation. And he has done an outstanding job in both assembling these hearings and in his day-to-day operations with the Select Committee.

Certainly, major drug traffickers are becoming more and more familiar with Federal and State efforts to curtail large-scale drug smuggling. These smugglers are well organized, sophisticated, and very familiar with the operations of law enforcement.

Two years ago, the Select Committee traveled to south Florida, held hearings on this emerging problem, and made several recommendations for increasing the enforcement efforts by DEA, Customs, and the Coast Guard. Seizures of marihuana, hashish, and cocaine, have increased dramatically in Florida.

However, the quantity of marihuana found in these seizures has declined. We suspect that the decline in the amount of marihuana in seizures in Florida is a result of a shift of emphasis by traffickers from Florida to Louisiana and Georgia.

In November of last year, the Select Committee held 2 days of hearings in New Orleans to review enforcement efforts along the Louisiana coastline. We are here today to learn what we can do to halt this problem in Georgia.

DEA reports that major trafficking is now taking place in Georgia, particularly in the coastline areas between Savannah and Brunswick. There are approximately 100 miles of coastline and a large tidal waterway which are used for smuggling. The committee will move to Brunswick on Monday for the firsthand look in this area.

Mr. Chairman, you have assembled an outstanding group of witnesses for the first phase of this hearing. I am anxious to hear their thoughts and recommendations.

Mr. EVANS. Thank you, Congressman Coughlin.

When I first ran for public office and was elected to the State legislature back in 1968, another man from Perry, Ga., went into office at the same time; that was Sam Nunn. Sam was in the legislature for 4 years before he was elected to the U.S. Senate. And not only has Senator Nunn become a noted expert in the field of defense; he has exerted a great deal of time and effort in the fight against illegal and illicit narcotic trafficking.

As an illustration of his dedication to this particular area, he has sent with us Bill Colombell who is on the staff of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to be with us today and to participate in these hearings. And, Bill, if you have any remarks or any message from the Senator at this time

Mr. COLOMBELL. Thank you, Congressman. I would like to first of all express the Senator's appreciation for your invitation. And I would like to read into the record a letter to you from Senator Nunn:

I am delighted that you will be chairing hearings by the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control in Macon and Brunswick during February. Conducting these hearings to gather the views of our fellow Georgians is another example of the outstanding leadership you have displayed in trying to solve the drug problem.

The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which I chair, conducted hearings this past December on narcotics profits and the impediments faced by law enforcement agencies in eliminating those profits or taxing the persons who make them. We received considerable testimony about the very serious problems in the State of Florida, which is the key focal point of efforts to smuggle drugs into the United States from Latin America. From what I heard, I am convinced that the problem in Georgia could become just as bad, especially if increased law enforcement efforts drive the smugglers from Florida north into Georgia.

The problem already is growing in Georgia, and I was very pleased that our recent efforts were successful in getting a commitment from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to increase the number of DEA agents assigned to our State.

In light of the increasing magnitude of the overall drug problem, your holding hearings to explore the situation in Georgia is very timely. I certainly wish you every success, and I look forward to our continuing cooperation as the House Select Committee on which you are playing a leading role, and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations increase their efforts to investigate the drug problem and to seek solutions to it.

Sincerely,

Thank you.

Mr. EVANS. Thank you, Bill.

SAM NUNN.

In arranging to hold hearings in Macon, we have received cooperation from all of the people that have been contacted in the entire State

of Georgia. One of the standouts in cooperation that I would like to call upon shortly is our mayor, George Israel.

Mayor, I am advised, and I know from our contact, that you have been very cooperative in arranging all that we have needed to make these hearings possible. The use of the municipal auditorium, and the excellent facilities for the hearing, and the cooperation that you have provided in other areas are sincerely appreciated.

I know that you want to welcome our guests to the city of Macon, Ga., and I call on you to do that at this time.

TESTIMONY OF GEORGE ISRAEL, MAYOR, CITY OF MACON, GA.

Mayor ISRAEL. Thank you, Congressman Evans. It is indeed an honor to welcome such an august panel. I do want to apologize for the weather, to add a little bit of levity, because I know you all are going to be dealing with a very serious topic today. But coming from New York and from Pennsylvania, all I can do is apologize. I wish it was a little bit warmer for you. But we did the best we could.

Mr. WOLFF. You thought you were going to make it hot for us? Mayor ISRAEL. We also want to welcome those expert witnesses that will be testifying. I do want to congratulate the Congress and congratulate each of you for the recognition of this problem which is a very serious problem. We recognize that locally. Our youth are involved; we see them day in and day out.

I also want to express our appreciation for the evidence of the Congress dedication and your individual dedication to seeking legislative solutions to the problem. I do think, however, I would be remiss if I didn't say that I think perhaps narcotic abuse and drug use is a symptom of a deeper problem-what I have termed a spiritual bankruptcy-that has occurred in our country, a decline and lack of purpose.

But be that as it may, it still is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. As you have just spoken to the magnitude of the problem, it means we all need to put our shoulders to the wheel, whether it be local, State or Federal Government. I would say that it is my hope that as you all conduct these hearings that you do uncover evidence that perhaps might help our governments at various levels cooperate, perhaps to do a better job at combating this terrible problem that plagues our society.

And, of course, it is my prayer that we will recognize that deeper problem and can address that.

I would like to give you a few facts on Macon because Macon is a town of approximately 124,000 people. Our county is approximately 160,000. Our immediate metropolitan area is considered somewhat in the neighborhood of about 300,000, and about 500,000 in the trade area. Anyone who looks at a map realizes where this enters on the Georgia and Florida coast and knows that with I-75 and I-16 that much of the traffic does probably come right through our town here. So I think we could say that our local law enforcement officials would be more than willing to have any assistance and help they could receive. I think other than welcoming you, that is about all I can say because I certainly don't consider myself an expert witness in this mat

ter. But I do want to express my appreciation to each of you. And while you are here, I did bring a little something. I know nowadays with the ethics committees of our Congress that everyone gets concerned, but I assure you the gift I have today is one that can't be questioned.

I have always wondered why keys were developed, but I began to realize there is nothing you can do with them and they really have no value other than the symbolic value. But, Chairman Wolff, Congressman Coughlin, and our own Congressman Billy Evans, I would like to present these keys as a symbol of the cooperation we would like to extend; that the doors of the city of Macon and our gate is always open. But even more so, I think perhaps there is a deeper symbol that perhaps you may find a key to unlock this problem and help us better combat this serious problem in our society. Thank you.

Mr. EVANS. Thank you.

Mr. WOLFF. Thank you very much.
Mr. COUGHLIN. Thank you.

Mr. EVANS. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

In all the hearings that I have attended, I must say that we are operating the most efficiently in this one because we are ahead of schedule. But we do have our first witness here at this time. And I would like to go ahead and proceed on the hearing so that we can get as far along as we possibly can and get as much information as we can to deal with this problem.

Our first witness today will be Mr. Beverly E. Ponder, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

Our second panel consists of Sheriff Wilkes of Bibb County, Sheriff Cullen Talton of Houston County, and Sheriff Cary Bittick of Monroe County.

At this time, I would like to call Mr. Ponder forward and any staff assistant or any assistants you have would be welcome also.

TESTIMONY, OF BEVERLY E. PONDER, DIRECTOR, GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ACCOMPANIED BY THOMAS

MCGREEVY, DIRECTOR, INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION

Mr. PONDER. Thank you, Mr. Evans and members of the committee. Mr. EVANS. Mr. Ponder, before you proceed, if I might, we try to get our testimony sworn. So if you don't mind.

[Mr. Ponder was sworn by Mr. Evans.]

Mr. EVANS. Thank you.

Mr. PONDER. This is Mr. Tom McGreevy, the director of our investigative division. And he will be on a panel later today.

On behalf of Governor Busbee, welcome to Georgia. The Governor feels that one of our most pressing national problems is that of controling and eliminating illegal drug traffic. He recognizes that these hearings are timely and offers his full cooperation in making them productive.

The agency responsible for enforcing Georgia's Controlled Substances Act is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As GBI director, I would like to discuss our organizational background, our accom