Two timely steps have been taken in the fight against drug smuggling, termed by Sen. Lawton Chiles, D-Fla. “an enterprise of massive proportions.” First, Chiles and two colleagues have introduced S, 12531 to reform federal bail bond laws, making it more difficult for drug dealers to obtain release on hail. The obviously – needed measure amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Conti of Act of 1970, Secondly, the Senate recently has approved Iegislatnon sponsored by Chiles and Sen. Dennis DeConcini, D-Ariz. to strengthen the U, S, Customs Services role in countering drug smuggling. , Chiles is joined in the bail bond reforms effort by Sen. Paula Hawkins, RFla. and Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga. Essentially, the amendment expedites court hearings as well as revising bail procedures. In Florida alone. estimates of revenues from drug dealing run to $7 billion each year, Chiles told Congress. Moreover, it is estimated that 70 percent of the nation’s cocaine, 80 percent of the marijuana, and 90 ,percent of the illicit Quaaludes flow into this country through Florida, Chiles disclosed. “Federal, state and local law enforcement officials are be ing overwhelmed by this flood of illicit drugs.” , A recent report showed that more than 2,900 drug dealers who were arrested have jumped bail and are now fugitives from justice. Some now at large posted bail of as much as $1 million, Chiles reported. The U. S, marshal for the southern district of Florida currently has 369 “failure to appear” cases. Of those cases, 90 percent are narcotics-related. , One example illustrates the severity of the problem. A Bolivian was arrested in May, 1980, in connection with a $9 million down-payment in a cocaine deal which Drug Enforcement Administration officials valued at $200 million. Bail originally was set at $300,000. Later it was reduced to $100,000. The defendant posted the amount last uly and has been a fugitive ever since. The bill approved by the Senate to bolster the Customs operation adds $10 million for planes and advanced radar and detectlon systems in the air program to help intercept smugglers. All the funds are to be applied in South Florida where the most severe need exists. As much as $60 billion worth of illegal narcotics are smuggled into the U. S. annually, with about at third of that coming by air, Chiles told the Senate. The drug problem is relentless and the battle against it must be relentless also, not only in Florida but wherever the need develops.