[Lauchenoiria]

Kerlian News Service

International Edition

Diplomatic squabble breaks out with Lauchenoiria over drug smuggling ring
3rd October 2020

A dispute is taking place between the governments of the Matriarchy of Kerlile and the Federation of Lauchenoiria over the activities of a Kvask-based drug smuggling ring. Lauchenoiria has accused Kerlile of sheltering members of the ring in return for supply of contraband items that are hard to find in the Matriarchy due to economic sanctions imposed by a number of other nations. The Council has denied these claims.

The Union of Merchants is a Kvask-based smuggling organisation which is known for sales of illicit products in a number of nations, including both Lauchenoiria and Kerlile. Seven suspected members of the UoM were arrested in Lauchenoiria last week, all Lauchenoirian citizens, following a raid on a property near the Kvaskm border. It is thought that this is the first step in a coordinated effort by Lauchenoirian authorities to end the activities of the group in their nation.

Anti-smuggling operations have been underfunded in the Matriarchy since 2012, when budgetary restructuring by the Council of Kerlile removed funds for such operations, instead diverting the money to increase the grants given to students entering university. No smugglers have been arrested in the Matriarchy since 2019. The Kerlian Border Patrol Agency, which employs thousands of Kerlians from all across the nation, have stated they have seen a sharp reduction in smuggling to the country.

Lauchenoirian Foreign Minister Sandra Pavía told reporters in Lauchenoiria that she had “contacted the Kerlian government, and informed them that it is simply unacceptable to allow these criminals to linger in their nation evading justice”. In response, Councillor Electra Georgiou released a public statement refuting the claims, and ensuring Lauchenoiria that Kerlile is continuing investigations into Kvaskm smuggling operations in Kerlile.

On social media, Pavía then accused the Council of “wilful ignorance”, claiming that they were deliberately ignoring instances of smuggling, and allowing criminals to legally cross the border in order to supply Council families with illicit products from nations which have placed sanctions on Kerlile. During an address to reporters, when questioned on this claim, a spokesperson for President Arnott refuted it, denying that any members of Council families have been using the services of smugglers.

In a speech yesterday in the Lauchenoirian Federal Parliament, Prime Minister Josephine Alvarez addressed representatives, claiming that those who do not cooperate with their investigation into the Union of Merchants may face unspecified “consequences”. So far, no action has been taken on the part of Lauchenoiria against Kerlile. The Lauchenoirian investigation continutes.