I thought the Administration's lawsuit shouldn't have any effect on federal agencies. Not so, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial now says:
"This is a conspiracy. We're in the middle of discussing and negotiating allowing Chinese and Russian tourists to come into the CNMI under a visa waiver [program], then all of a sudden this occurred."
Were the searches of all Chinese passengers over-the-top? I think so. In fact, in more than an hour of internet searching I couldn't find news about a similar mass pat-down. That hardly proves anything, but it's an indication.
Still, everyone on Saipan, Rota and Tinian knows crystal methamphetamine is a threat to the community. They also know China is the predominant source of 'ice'.
Was the DEA heavy-handed? Sure, but that's the way the agency operates. It's bound to hurt tourism to some extent with such operations. They should find some middle ground.
But that's hardly a conspiracy.
I just scooted over to the Marianas Variety The commenters don't seem to agree with the Governor.