Wednesday, September 21, 2005

DEA's Role in Door-to-Door Searches in New Orleans

Some troops carried shotguns to protect against aggressive dogs. Others had M-16 rifles and 9mm handguns. All wore heavy, constricting body armor that led ultimately led to heat exhaustion and dehydration in the 90-degree heat.
Forbidden to break down doors, Guard troops banged on doors and forcefully announced themselves. The 109th later joined volunteer agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, authorized by Washington to forcibly open doors. Drug agents used a crowbar and a black battering ram – "the black key that opens all doors," as one agent noted.

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