U.S. CUSTOMS TO STATION ANTI-DRUG PLANES IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA.

U.S. CUSTOMS TO STATION ANTI-DRUG PLANES IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA.

   U.S. Customs said that it will station four new anti-drug planes at the
Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla.
   Between September and July 2000, Customs will receive a total of eight
additional P-3 aircraft, which are fitted with special radar and
surveillance equipment to detect planes suspected of carrying narcotics.
   "With eight additional P-3s due to come on board in the next three
years, we need a second base to house them," said Customs Commissioner Raymond W.
Kelly. "Jacksonville is an ideal location because it is already a P-3 master base
where we can efficiently train our pilots and maintain our aircraft."
   The rest of Customs’ new P-3s will be based at the Naval Air Station in
Corpus Christi, Texas.