NCJ Number
66906
Date Published
1978
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT BY NEW MEXICO'S ORGANIZED CRIME PREVENTION COMMISSION REPORTS ON AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT ORGANIZED CRIME'S INFILTRATION OF THE STATE LIQUOR INDUSTRY, ANTITHEFT OPERATIONS, AND OTHERS.
Abstract
CONCERNING ORGANIZED CRIME, THE COMMISSION FINDS THAT, WHILE ITS INFILTRATION INTO THE STATE LIQUOR INDUSTRY IS NOT MASSIVE, IT IS SIGNIFICANT, AND NEW MEXICO'S ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) IS NOT COMPETENT TO DETECT OR PREVENT IT. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR NEW STATUTES, ADMINISTRATIVE PRODEDURES, AND INVESTIGATING VIOLATIONS OF THE LIQUOR LAW. CONCERNING STATUTES, PERSONS ADMINISTERING STATE LIQUOR LAWS SHOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT WITH LIQUOR LICENSES OR APPLICANTS FOR LICENSES, AND ACTIONS OF THE LIQUOR DIRECTOR SHOULD BE BETTER REGULATED. PRESENTLY, THE LIQUOR DIRECTOR MAY DISMISS CHARGES AGAINST THE LIQUOR LAWS ON HIS OWN DISCRETION, WHICH INCITES MUCH PUBLIC CYNICISM AND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRIBERY. CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION, PROCEDURES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN THE ABC TO PRESERVE LIQUOR-RELATED DOCUMENTS AND PROMPTLY PROCESS VIOLATIONS CITATIONS; RECORDS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS WITH LIQUOR LICENSES. INVESTIGATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE EXTENSIVE AND INCLUDE ESTABLISHING BETTER ABC AGENT TRAINING AND SUPERVISION, AND A SPECIALIZED CORE OF LIQUOR INVESTIGATORS; IMPROVING COOPERATION BETWEEN LIQUOR INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES; AND REQUIRING ALL LIQUOR VIOLATIONS TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE LOCAL POLICE. REPORTS ARE ALSO PRESENTED ON THE COMMISSION'S WORK TO CONTROL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND HORSE RACING VIOLATIONS; A REPORT ON THE COMMISSION'S LITIGATIONS POWERS REVEAL THEY HAVE BEEN IMPROVED BY A NEWLY GRANTED SUBPOENA POWER.