The famously feisty lawyer Ramon Veras, better known nationwide as “Negro,” told the weekly luncheon for journalists at the Corripio Group that the wave of crime in Santiago is tied to drugs as well as political, police and military figures. Never at a loss for words, lawyer Veras said that political groups tied to the Mejia candidacy in the 2004 elections could be linked to drug traffickers. He also stated that members of the DR’s military were behind several of the murders that have occurred over the past several months in Santiago, including the attempted murder of the infamous businessman Tony Turbi. Veras pointed out that this is not the only type of delinquent activity involved, but that it is the kind that “terrorizes” Santiago because it “lets the people see blood.” He pointed out that other types of crime that are the result of the degeneration of Dominican society and its core values. Veras went so far as to say that he had proof of official involvement in untoward activity, but indicated he would not give the proof to the police because of his belief that “there are police groups that are part of the drug gangs, they protect them, they foster them and they supply weapons to them, and at certain times they actually act as hired killers.” The only solution that the legal expert could offer to the journalists was one that involved “determined and strong political willpower and great support from the citizenry.” But, he said, the citizenry will not cooperate unless they have faith that the authorities will investigate, prosecute and punish the organized gangs, who have “bundles of money and weapons of every caliber.” Veras pointed out that of the seven killed in Salcedo, or those killed in Tamboril or in Bella Vista in Santiago, not one was a trained professional. He indicated they were all people from the “barrios,” that is to say people of humble origin who are most susceptible to offers of money from drug traffickers.