Here's the link: http://www.eturbonews.com/editions/25JUL2002.htm#4

Here's the headlines:
A total of 12 female KLM flight attended were subjected to an humiliating drugs inspection before boarding their flight from Bonaire to Amsterdam, the airline reported on Wednesday.

Anyone local have any more details? How big is the drug problem on Bonaire?

The 'drug problem on Bonaire' is really confined to attempted smuggling of drugs to Amsterdam on KLM flights, as it was in Curacao when the flights refueled/reprovisioned there. Would-be passengers swallow 'bolitas' -condoms filled with cocaine or heroin- carrying the drugs unseen. Several have died or been taken sick in flight when a bolita breaks, spurring KLM to switch from Curacao to Bonaire as a waypoint because the carriers were boarding in Curacao w/o sufficient effort against them by the Curacao authorities, in KLM's eyes.

Other smaller objects -like a small bag of jewels from South America- can be carried in smaller body cavities. It may be that Bonaire Customs authorities acted on a tip about a particular flight crew, etc.

Bonaire is making a concerted effort to minimize trafficking through the island. It is the only place I have been where all incoming lugggage is screened by x-ray. I had three cans of Folger's red Classic for gmichael in June that caused that bag to be opened by Customs on arrival. The cans had their original vacuum pack and passed quickly but-- Bonaire is trying.

Although the search incident was a regrettable and totally mishandled event. It is being investigated and measures taken to see that future searces are done in a professioal manner. Bonaire is very sensitive to the drug problem and over reacted, but will not change its policy of zero tollerance, just its method of enforcement.

I don't get it, I thought the drugs are in Amsterdam and trying to smuggle them to Bonaire and other Islands not the other way around. I have been going to Bonaire for the past three years and have never noticed any drug activity, not that I was looking for any. I hope it stays that way as I love the Island and will be back soon. I just got back from spending two weeks at the Divi.

Steve
garrett-opal-gems.com

The drug activity has not been on Bonaire and still isn't, it is a transhipment problem, as noted above.

We want to return to Bonaire, but have heard rumors about increasing crime. After reading this message board, I am hoping the rumors have stemmed from this trans shipment drug issue. Have recent tourists had many problems with crime - like theft etc? What is this about not locking rental cars? Thanks!

Jennifer

Bonaire is one of the safer Caribbean islands, there is occasional theft but IMHO it gets blown way out of proportion. We are back for our fifth visit and only two more full weeks to go.

Jennifer, if you will do a keyword search here on 'crime', you will find many messages that, I believe, will back Brian's comments.

Greetings,

My wife and I returned today from our thirteenth trip to Bonaire. We have neither heard of, nor seen, any drug activity during our visits. If drugs are being trans-shipped via KLM flight crews, that is a problem KLM to correct. Even if drug use is aceptable in Holland, that does not mean it should be tolerated in Bonaire. In fact, it would be a disaster! (Whitness Curacao, Grand Turk, the Florida Keys, etc., etc.)

We do see an increase in car break-ins at remote dive locations on Bonaire. At every site there is evidence of broken windshield glass on the ground. This must be a teen-age thing (perhaps to buy drugs?). Are the police doing anything to stop these petty crimes. Sooner or later, a tourist will catch a kid breaking into a car. There will a scuffle, an assault, a stabbing, etc. This will really hurt tourism in Bonaire (witness Jamaica several years ago). The police should act immediately and aggresively to stop drug trafficing and petty crime in Bonaire. If not, Bonaire might become St. Thomas...God forbid!