According to the Manaus newspaper "A Crítica" , Ticuna Indians from the community Umariau II in Tabatinga, State of Amazonas, have established recently a vigilante service to fight crime within their own ranks. The aim is to prevent the entry of alcoholic beverages into the region as well as drug consumption and drug trafficking. Unidentified vehicles are being checked at strategic spots and eventually refused the entry into the community. The vigilantes, 60 voluntary Indians, who have done military service in the region of Tabatinga, intercept visitors with "suspect objects" before they could actually get to the village. They even settle domestic disputes. Since the introduction of the service 4 months ago, more than 40 Ticuna Indians were arrested, mainly young men who were involved in knife fights after the consumption of alcohol or other drugs. As a consequence the crime rate has been dropped by 80% in the community.