The evolution of drug smuggling and related crimes in south Florida can be viewed through one
family and their many criminal associates. The Barker Family entered the smuggling business in the 1970s
and transitioned from marijuana to cocaine and illegal aliens by the 1990s. Through drug and alien
loads, broad conspiracies, and multiple deaths, the smuggling group was active, successful, and
notorious. This is an account of old school Florida smuggling through the long thread of one small
family. It is a bit of a history lesson and a fascinating journey back in time.
Memo to DomPrep readers:On December 31, 2019, I published another end-of-the year message. This one was different. I worry that many federal agencies created to prepare and respond to man-made […]
The evolution of drug smuggling and related crimes in south Florida can be viewed through one
family and their many criminal associates. The Barker Family entered the smuggling business in the 1970s
and transitioned from marijuana to cocaine and illegal aliens by the 1990s. Through drug and alien
loads, broad conspiracies, and multiple deaths, the smuggling group was active, successful, and
notorious. This is an account of old school Florida smuggling through the long thread of one small
family. It is a bit of a history lesson and a fascinating journey back in time.
The nation currently faces an age of bioengineered viral pandemics and collapse. Advances in
biotechnology enable nations, terrorist groups, or even lone wolves to create genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) such as a human-to-human transmissible version of avian flu or to modify a lethal virus
to facilitate a longer period of contagion and undetected spread before symptoms manifest.
Bioengineering enables almost anyone to modify and release a new virus that, in addition to a pandemic,
could cause an ensuing collapse in economic activity as well as loss of law and order as people react to
the threat. Some experts say that the threat of a natural or bioengineered viral pandemic is already
here. As it becomes increasingly easier to modify existing pathogens, the threat will also rise as these
pathogens are made to be more lethal and more transmissible.
Emerging threats of yesteryear seemed unrealistic, so allocating funds and resources to such
threats was not a priority for many agencies and organizations. Today, some of those āunrealisticā
scenarios have become almost commonplace. As a result, having a three-day kit, knowing how to stop the
bleed, and training for an active shooter event no longer seem unusual. However, communities are still
generally greatly unprepared for what is yet to come tomorrow.
Dear DomPrep Readers,On Wednesday, January 1, 2020, I published a six month review along with a publisher message. Ā I received a thought provoking reply from Mr. James Rush that I […]
As numerous past disasters and government exercises have indicated, many people will take advantage
of overwhelmed police to loot and maraud. āPreppersā are well aware of this threat, but it may be
politically incorrect for government officials to honestly address lawlessness and risk offending
voters, so they lack preparation for the problem of gangs and armed marauders looting and killing in the
wake of a big disaster that overwhelms first responders.
On behalf of the staff and many writers of DomPrep, I wish you a safe, healthy, and secure 2020. We
are about to finish our 21st year of publishing information for first responders, medical receivers,
emergency managers, local-state-federal authorities,
It is interesting to stop for a moment and think, āHow did we get here?ā The emergency preparedness
and response profession has come a long way, offering emergency preparers, responders, and receivers
many more invaluable tools at their disposal than their counterparts had in previous years. Over time,
plans and procedures have adapted to ever-evolving needs and environments. And technology has advanced
beyond the imagination of their predecessors 50 years ago. However, for every advancement, a new
challenge(s) emerges.
Understanding history is a critical component of emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. History has a way of exposing preparedness and response gaps and providing a roadmap for best practices going […]
The evolution of drug smuggling and related crimes in south Florida can be viewed through one
family and their many criminal associates. The Barker Family entered the smuggling business in the 1970s
and transitioned from marijuana to cocaine and illegal aliens by the 1990s. Through drug and alien
loads, broad conspiracies, and multiple deaths, the smuggling group was active, successful, and
notorious. This is an account of old school Florida smuggling through the long thread of one small
family. It is a bit of a history lesson and a fascinating journey back in time. 
The evolution of drug smuggling and related crimes in south Florida can be viewed through one
family and their many criminal associates. The Barker Family entered the smuggling business in the 1970s
and transitioned from marijuana to cocaine and illegal aliens by the 1990s. Through drug and alien
loads, broad conspiracies, and multiple deaths, the smuggling group was active, successful, and
notorious. This is an account of old school Florida smuggling through the long thread of one small
family. It is a bit of a history lesson and a fascinating journey back in time. 
The nation currently faces an age of bioengineered viral pandemics and collapse. Advances in
biotechnology enable nations, terrorist groups, or even lone wolves to create genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) such as a human-to-human transmissible version of avian flu or to modify a lethal virus
to facilitate a longer period of contagion and undetected spread before symptoms manifest.
Bioengineering enables almost anyone to modify and release a new virus that, in addition to a pandemic,
could cause an ensuing collapse in economic activity as well as loss of law and order as people react to
the threat. Some experts say that the threat of a natural or bioengineered viral pandemic is already
here. As it becomes increasingly easier to modify existing pathogens, the threat will also rise as these
pathogens are made to be more lethal and more transmissible. 
As numerous past disasters and government exercises have indicated, many people will take advantage
of overwhelmed police to loot and maraud. āPreppersā are well aware of this threat, but it may be
politically incorrect for government officials to honestly address lawlessness and risk offending
voters, so they lack preparation for the problem of gangs and armed marauders looting and killing in the
wake of a big disaster that overwhelms first responders. 