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Our Associate, Richard M*, was until recently on San Antonio Island and whilst there he was able to befriend local residents Mr Rizal Afundar and his family. Mr and Mrs Afundar work for the Mayor of San Antonio Island.
Mr Afundar stated to Richard on three seperate occaisions, that every month or so during the night, a Strange vessel** stops on the safe beach near the village of Burabod to off-load drugs brought directly from Thailand.
According to Mr Afundar this is common knowledge on that part of the Island.
The village of Burabod, apart from making Dynamite, also supplies locally made guns and ammunition.***
If Mr Afundar's statements are confirmed, the village of Burabod surely lives up to its local name of "Little Borneo" Which means, an "untouchable place." Mr Afundar also said that he had worked for the Islands Mayors for many years and knows everything that happens on the Island.
We now have a problem. What we initiated as a Campaign-investigation into an hitherto unknown serious Environmental issue, has revealed itself to be an open Social sore of Mafia-style Politics, Gun-running and Serious Drugs.**** Plus of course Dead Marine life through Dynamite which we are attempting to stop. (Unfortunately, Richard also confirmed that whilst during the day the dynamite fishing seems to have lessened due to heavy sinkers used as silencers, he also confirms that night-time dynamite fishing has increased.)
Another of our Associates was to have travelled to the area this month but due to Richard's new report and other reserved and unconfirmed information, we have postponed the visit until further notice.
*Richard's full name is not published for obvious reasons.
**"Strange Vessel" usually means a boat or ship that does not come from that area and/or not made like the local boats.
***We had already confirmed this information several months ago but we chose not to use it in an Ecol/Environmental issue.
****"Serious" because in our opinion a vessel travelling all the way from Thailand would not be carrying a small amount of Drugs or a small amount of anything.
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