Could it be that Hollywood’s depiction fueled the DEA’s predatory appetite for Bout?
Fast forward to Bangkok 2009: The Thai Courts refuse a US request to extradite Bout on allegations of plotting to supply weapons to terrorist groups. Why is this important to you and I? Several interesting queries come to mind: Q: Since the DEA is an acronym for Drug Enforcement Agency, why are they going after a suspected arms dealer? A: After 911 the US government, through the Patriot Act and other legislation, expanded the power and budget of the DEA, enabling increased involvement in cases that would have traditionally fallen outside of their jurisdiction. There were also allegations that some arms shipments contained illegal drugs as well. Q: How can the US government send policing officials to operate in other countries? A: The US has a policy of enforcing its legal interests even outside of the US territorial limits. The US has used Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements, Extradition Treaties and other lesser know methods of bringing criminals located abroad to the US to face trial.
