We returned from Bonaire last weekend. I am sad to report that I was offered drugs for the first time in Boniare. I was leaving Littmans (jewelry shop downtown) when a local guy approached me (obviously smoking) and offered to sell me drugs. I wondered how long it would be before this problem (street solicitors for drugs) found its way to Bonaire (or maybe its been there for awhile and I never noticed). Hopefully, the local police will read this posting and occasionally walk by the corner.

Gregg...what was he offering? I am not interested in buying any drugs, but just curious as to what is on the island at this point...hard stuff? (not that is really makes a difference when some one is soliciting any sort of contraband on the street to total strangers!) I guess the rest of the world is filtering into our little piece of paradise. Did you report it to the authorities at the time? Carole

I passed Gregg's note on to some key people here on Bonaire. Hopefully something happens as a result...

Jake

Jake, just out of curiosity, if someone does approach you, I assume it might be a good idea to report it to the local authorities?...

Absolutely. Tell the police, tell the island prosecutor (something akin to a U.S. district attornery), tell the tourism office, and tell the manager of the hotel/resort you're staying at and give them all as much detail as you can. Describe the individual offering you the drugs, what was offered, when, and where. However, I would advise against being confrontational with anyone offering you drugs (anywhere in the world, not just Bonaire) - just say you're not interested, note any details you can, and move along.

The phone number for the Narcotics & Fire Arms department of the Bonaire police, according to the newest phone book, is 717-8000 x347 or 717-6556. Tourism office - send your note to feedback@infobonaire.com (this goes to several people at the Tourism Corporation Bonaire, as well as to Linda & myself & Michael). Island Prosecutor's office phone number is 717-8626.

Bonaire's government and prosecutor are very sensitive to the issue of the sale and transshipment of illegal drugs on Bonaire, and have taken pretty serious measures with respect to the latter and the new daily KLM flight we have here now. Around a dozen, if not more, individuals are in Bonaire jails in the last month because they were caught trying to smuggle bolitas (latex balloons filled with cocaine which they swallowed) onto the KLM flight to Holland. These individuals hail from Nigeria, Curacao, Colombia, Venezuela, Haiti, and even one or two from Bonaire (vast majority are not from Bonaire, however).

The policy in Curacao when someone was caught with bolitas was to merely deny them boarding and send them home - a minor slap on the wrist (a large variety of excuses were given for such an easy out for the smugglers).

As drug sales tend to be related to drug smuggling, the island's prosecutor, Ernst Wesselius, would certainly want to look into the relationship and sources of the drugs being offered for sale and those being smuggled, as they may have a common root at times.

Jake

Thanks for the info, Jake...I have saved it in case we need it someday...hopefully not, but we will be ready. I would never confront any such individual but do as you suggested...take note of their appearance and those who might be with them, etc, and then report them to the authorities. I probably would have let Littman's know, in this particular instance, too, as it was occurring in front of their establishment. One must be very careful in these type of situations, however. You don't want to draw too much attention to yourself or place oneself in harm's way. Sorry to hear this happened to to you, Glenn....it must have been frightening and very disturbing, too. Bonaire, hopefully will take a harder, more serious stance on their policies dealing with drugs and the end-result punishments, etc.than her sister islands. It is a very serious problem and if it can be nipped in the bud, then let's hope it can be done now. You know me...I would have had the digital camera clicking away once the person involved no longer thought I was interested or looking at them, etc. A pic from a distance without their knowledge, etc. At least I think I would give it a try...that way the authorities would have a photo identity of who was involved. I would only consider doing this if we were entirely out of harm's way and danger and/or surveillance or suspicion, etc. by the "seller". It's part of my nature to play "detective"...have been investigating and dealing with surveillance, subrosa, etc., in my line of work for over 30 years now...wow..that's scary! Way too long to be working!! Carole

The seller was smoking MJ on the street and offered to sell me a bag.... (I have a beard, sandals etc).... pretty flagrant... almost like home

doesn't bother me personally but I fear for the island we all enjoy....

I didn't feel threatened physically ..... only our space

sooo greg, i have to ask...how was the rest of your vacation on bonaire???...i hope one experience didn't cloud the many nice ones...

Cynde,

I go to Bonaire several times per year and always have a great time. The fact that somebody offered to sell me a bag of grass doesn't cloud a vacation. I wouldn't think anything about the same situation in the U.S. I guess we have learned to accept it here. I was just surprised that it now occurs openly in Bonaire.

greg, thanks, glad you had a good time...as you go several times a year, it must have been disapointing to have it happen there...

Its times like that you need one of those tiny digital cameras that you wear like a watch

On an island the size of Bonaire, it can't be that hard to track down someone you have a picture of.

And then when the cops catch him, they may just have to pay you to stay a few more weeks to testify

Wow, I wish we could swing going back to Bonaire several times per year...you are one lucky fella! Glad to hear your trip was a good one, all in all. CArole

PS Last time I was approached by someone offering to see drugs (pot) was back in the late sixties in Berkely, California (Berserkely) when I had very long hair and was very young....seems soooo long ago!!

Drug dealers?
On our last trip we did notice that around Harbourtown and the tourist shops near the pier there are a few loitering locals who now (unlike 2 years ago) actively accost strangers. I instinctively avoided such contact (an advantage of being born in New York, the home of modern panhandling) but would not be surprised if an uptick in local vice was being seen.

My casual observation was that the few young men in question were reasonably well dressed, not shabby, and concentrated on approaching under-40 tourists like my wife or myself, mostly when when either of us or someone similar was walking alone. I suppose they may be figuring that this demographic is most likely to take an interest in a quick contraband transaction.

Note that the mere act of trying to get the attention of a passing stranger is not criminal, and that is all that I actually observed. All else is speculative inferences.

As a curious side note, the Hilma Hooker herself was originally impounded by Bonaire's authorities on narcotics smuggling charges.

-LS