The president of the National Council of Drugs, Antonio Martinez, board members businessman Ernesto Vitienes, TV producer Freddy Beras Goico, Monsignor Jesus Maria de Jesus Moya, and Mary Perez de Marranzini resigned from the National Council of Drugs as reported in the Listin Diario. The board resigned following public debates that lead to questioning of their presence in the organization. Board members have disagreed with personnel decisions and “absurd policies” being taken by the Presidency without consulting them. Recently, a scandal resulted when Olga Celeste Ventura, appointed to the administration of the organization, denounced that property and vehicle confiscated from drug dealers had been placed for the personal use of government officers prior to a court judgment. She said that some government officers had received four vehicles. President Mejia said he authorized the transfers, commenting it has been a practice of previous governments. After denouncing the irregularity, Ventura was moved to the post of second in command at Bienes Nacionales, the government organization in charge of state property. She said she would no longer refer to the topic.
