But Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group that pushes for stricter immigration laws and enforcement, criticized the plan, calling it further evidence of the city's effort to impede immigration enforcement.
Beside the enforcement components, the plan envisions public investment to stimulate Colombia's economy.
Opponents of the plans say the distinction between commercial and private use would be difficult to define, making enforcement of the plan a challenge.
CRN would also like to see more publicity regarding the new, more active enforcement the FDA plans to initiate in hopes of deterring companies from carrying out fraudulent plans.
Months before the robbery, the "fourth" man (who has long since died) had informed law enforcement officials of the plan to rob the post office.
A city official and the law enforcement official said the plan was proposed by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani last Friday during his weekly meeting at City Hall with Police Commissioner Howard Safir.
John Lovell, a lobbyist for several groups of California law enforcement officials, said the plan would create a large, illicit — and thus untaxed — black market, in addition to magnifying substance abuse problems.
Before they could pull off the heist, though, Italian law enforcement caught onto the plan and dispatched roughly 300 cops who arrested 34 suspected thieves all of whom, authorities say, belong to Italy's criminal underworld.
Before they could pull off the heist, though, Italian law enforcement caught onto the plan and dispatched roughly 300 cops who arrested 34 suspected thieves all of whom, authorities say, belong to Italy's criminal underworld.
