Eloise HorsfieldA GIBRALTAR car dealer is to play a key role in the global battle against drug trafficking after landing a lucrative contract with the US Government.
Africa Automotive Distribution Services (AADS) will supply a fleet of specially designed Jeeps to combat drug cartels in Central and South America.
It is hoped the deal – estimated to be worth around nine million pounds in the first year alone – will help increase Gibraltar’s presence worldwide.
“This is the kind of international exposure that portrays a positive image for Gibraltar abroad,” said AADS manager George Bassadone Jr.
“It will help to put Gibraltar on the map on a global scale.”
A senior US military spokesman confirmed the equipment would form ‘an essential element of our land strategy in Central America’.
The company is a subsidiary of Bassadone Automotive Group, best known for supplying 4x4s to the UN as well as humanitarian and NGO groups around the world.
Great company….I’d say Bassadone are THE BEST PRACTICE business in Gibraltar. Super success story continues!
Exquisite timing, just when South American countries have admitted the “war on drugs” has failed and they are now discussing radically different options,not even ruling out governed legalisation. Guess the jeeps could be converted to bring the coca leaf from outlying areas instead, be a shame to waste them….
The war on drugs has been a total failure, unless you count enriching and militarising large scale criminal gangs as a success.
I notice the picture accompanying the article doesn´t have a caption. May I suggest this? “Some cocaine, yesterday…”
MiguelC. And then a picture of an empty table, captioned, “No cocaine today”