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The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program
Annual Report 2004
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY Washington, D.C. 20503 December 13, 2004
Greetings:
It is my pleasure to welcome those gathered for the seventh annual High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Conference in Washington, D.C. This past year, the HIDTA program continued to bring federal, state and local law enforcement together to make a measurable difference in disrupting the market for illegal drugs.
Investigations into high level traffickers and seizures that disrupt drug trafficking organizations remain the hallmark of the program. A precondition of the HIDTA program being effective is the ability to get federal, state and local law enforcement to work together in a coordinated fashion. This in turn enhances the security of our country from threats both foreign and domestic, and serves as a model for other agencies.
Tile coming year will see the introduction of the Performance Management Program (PMP), which will allow each of you to better measure the efficiency of your respective efforts. Also, we will have in place a financial database system to better facilitate the use of resources allocated to each HIDTA.
As we gather to honor the achievements of individuals, groups and HIDTAs, I thank you for your fine work and wish you the best in the year ahead as we work together to disrupt the market for illegal drugs in our great Nation.
Sincerely,
Director
Tablte of Conte
Overview 1 High ~ntensity Drug Trafficking Area Map 3 Appalachia HIDTA 5 Atlanta HII)TA 10 Central Florida HII)TA 15 Central Valley California H~DTA 20 Chicago HH)TA 25 Gulf Coast HII)TA 29 Hawaii HH)TA 34 Houston H~DTA 39 Lake County HH)TA 44 Los Angeles HIDTA 49 Michigan HII)TA 54 Midwest H~DTA 58 Milwaukee HNDTA 63 Nevada HIIDTA 68 New England HIII)TA 72 North Florida H IDTA 78 North Texas HJDTA 83 Northern California HH)TA 87 Northwest HIIDTA 92 New York/New Jersey HH)TA 97 Ohio H~DTA 102 Oregon HII)TA 106 Philadelphia/Camden HHDTA III Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin ~slands HIDTA 116 Rocky ~,~ountain HIII)TA 122 South Florida Hll)TA 127 Southwest Border HJDTA 132 Arizona Regional Partnership 132 California Regional Partnership 137 New Mexico Regional Partnership 142 South Texas Regional Partnership 147 West Texas Regional Partnership 152 Washington/Baltimore H ~DTA 157 2004 National H~DTA Program Awards 165
Overview
Office of National Drug Control Policy High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program:
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and the ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 1998 authorized the Director of The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to designate areas within the United States which exhibit serious drug trafficking problems and harmfully impact other areas of the country as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). The HIDTA Program provides additional federal resources to those areas to help eliminate or reduce drug trafficking and its harmful consequences. Law enforcement organizations within HIDTAs assess drug trafficking problems and design specific initiatives to reduce or eliminate the production, manufacture, transportation, distribution and chronic use of illegal drugs and money laundering.
When designating a new HIDTA, the Director of ONDCP consults with the Attorney General, Secretary of the Treasury, heads of national drug control agencies and the appropriate governors and considers the following statutory criteria:
The extent to which the area is a center of illegal drug production, manufacturing, importation, or distribution;
The extent to which state and local law enforcement agencies have committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the area, thereby indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the problem;
O The extent to which drug-related activities in the area are having a harmful impact in other areas of the country; and
The extent to which a significant increase in the allocation of federal resources is necessary to respond adequately to drug-related activities in the area.
The HIDTA Program helps improve the effectiveness and efficiency of drug control efforts by facilitating cooperation between drug control organizations through resource and information sharing, collocating and implementing joint initiatives. HIDTA funds help federal, state and local law enforcement organizations invest in infrastructure and joint initiatives to confront drug- trafficking organizations. Funds are also used for demand reduction and drug treatment initiatives. The key priorities of the Program are: o Assess regional drug threats; o Design strategies to focus efforts that combat drug trafficking threats; o Develop and fund initiatives to implement strategies; • Facilitate coordination between federal, state and local efforts; to
Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of drug control efforts to reduce or eliminate the harmful impact of drug trafficking.
Each HIDTA is governed by its own Executive Board comprised of approximately 16 members--eight federal members and eight state or local members. These Boards facilitate interagency drug control efforts to eliminate or reduce drug threats. The Executive Boards ensure threat specific strategies and initiatives are developed, employed, supported and evaluated.
HIDTA-designated counties comprise approximately 13 percent of U.S. counties, they are present in 43 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. The following 28 areas are designated as HIDTAs:
1990: Houston, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, South Florida and Southwest Border (California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas);
1994: Washington/Baltimore (Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia) and Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands;
® 1995: Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia/Camden;
® 1996: Rocky Mountain (Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming), Gulf Coast (Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi), Lake County (Indiana), Midwest (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) and Northwest (Washington State);
1997: Southeastern Michigan (subsequently, portions of western Michigan) and Northern California;
1998: Appalachia (Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia), Central Florida, Milwaukee and North Texas (Texas and Oklahoma); and
o 1999: Central Valley California, Hawaii, New England (Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont), Ohio and Oregon.
e 2001: North Florida and Nevada. ~0 •.... ~
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M/'tSSdON S1;A TEM"&VT; and non-HIDTA funded resources. The mission of" the Appalachia HIDTA is to reduce measurably, and particularly as it Marijuana is the number one cash crop in the relates to marijuana, the production and three states that comprise the Appalachia trafficking of illegal drugs in its immediate HIDTA. The states of Kentucky, Tennessee, area, to reduce drag-related violent crime in and West Virginia, with less than foul percent the region, and to reduce the impact that of the total U.S. population, produced 34.5 H IDTA drug production and trafficking have percent of the domestic marijuana supply in on other areas of the United States. Although 2003 (measured in total eradicated plants). marijuana is its primary focus, the Appalachia Regional marijuana usage rates are generally H IDTA responds to the threat posed by the below the national average, indicating that the illicit traffic of other drugs as required. vast majority of marijuana cultivated in the Central to this mission is the expansion of HIDTA is destined for markets in other cooperative, multi-jurisdictional law regions of the country, and that the enforcement etTorts involving H I DTA funded Appalachia HIDTA continues to represent a have worked together to coordinate drug major drug threat to the United States. suppression activities throughout the sixty- eight designated counties, six United States Much of the marijuana produced in the Attorneys Offices, seven federal, seventeen Appalachia HIDTA is grown on public land. state, 43 local agencies, two National Forests, Marijuana growers in the Appalachia HIDTA and two National Parks. By balancing efforts intrude upon the Daniel Boone and Cherokee to attack drug trafficking at every layer, and National Forests and the Great Smoky coordinating non-enforcement efforts in Mountain and Big South Fork National Parks, targeted communities, the Appalachia HIDTA as well as lands owned by the Tennessee facilitates the needed cooperation between Valley Authority. The Daniel Boone has led federal, state and local agencies into all National Forests in marijuana cultivation collaborative initiatives that target drug for ten of the last 11 years. Public use of cultivation, distribution, and demand. these treasures has diminished because of the threat of violence from marijuana producers. More specifically, the Appalachia HIDTA consists of fourteen law enforcement The three states constituting the Appalachia initiatives, including a prosecution component HIDTA are experiencing a dramatic to enhance operational efforts. These escalation in the methamphetamine threat. initiatives target individuals and organizations The number of methamphetamine labs involved in the supply, trafficking, production dismantled in the HIDTA increased from 45 and distribution of all drugs, with an emphasis in 1999 to 474 in 2003. on marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription drugs. Further complementing the Cocaine, in both powder and crack forms, HIDTA's operational efforts is the Appalachia remains a significant drug of abuse in HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC). metropolitan and rural areas. The four remaining support initiatives for the Appalachia HIDTA include Marijuana Prescription drug seizures by Appalachia Eradication, Demand Reduction Teams, HIDTA officers and agents expanded primarily targeting youths and educating the dramatically from 4,706 dosage units in 1999 public, an Appalachia HIDTA Training to 105,757 dosage units in 2003. The Initiative, and the Appalachia HIDTA trafficking and illicit usage of prescription Administration and Operations Support drugs, especially OxyContin, may well be the Initiative. most significant drug problem aside from marijuana within the HIDTA. IN~ESTI ~. ~T! VE SUPP OI~ T CENTER: The Appalachia HIDTA Investigative Support S TP~ TEG'YABS'T ~I~4CT: Center (ISC) is the centerpiece of the HIDTA The Appalachia HIDTA Executive Board is as it provides the collocation and comprised of sixteen local, state, and federal commingling of vital federal and state law law enforcement leaders in the Kentucky, enforcement personnel, and databases to assist Tennessee, and West Virginia HIDTA areas all regional law enforcement agencies in of responsibility. The Administration counterdrug investigations, eradication, and component, or Headquarters, for the interdiction. The ISC provides event and Appalachia HIDTA can be found in London, subject deconfliction services for officer KY with offices in Tennessee and West safety and enhanced intelligence production; Virginia. Since the 1998 designation of the strategic intelligence for refined targeting and Appalachia HIDTA, participating agencies officer resource allocation; and in-service analytical intelligence training. The ISC Prosecuting Attorney's Institute, and the West provides drug intelligence analysis; prepares Virginia State Police. threat assessments, strategic reports, and organizational studies; participates in OTHER: Kentucky River Community Care informant/defendant debriefings and Regional Prevention Center, Chiefs of Police cultivates new sources of information; Association and Sheriff's Association in performs post-seizure and search warrant Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, analysis; supports arrest operations; prepares Kentucky National Guard, Laurel County and conducts briefings for visitors to the Fiscal Court, Tennessee National Guard, West HIDTA; and assists in trial preparations. Virginia National Guard, West Virginia Additionally, the ISC initiates intelligence Prevention Resource Center, and numerous projects to generate leads for HIDTA local law enforcement agencies from all three investigative agencies and other law states. enforcement intelligence constllners nationwide. ~N1TIATIVES:
In 2003, the ISC purchased and implemented The following initiatives are included as part a computerized mechanism that provides of the FY2005 Appalachia HIDTA Strategy: investigative and eradication personnel with 24/7 event deconfliction service. This Demand Reduction Initiatives in Kentuc@, software will be capable of case and subject Tennessee. and West Virginia - members deconfliction in the future, reducing conduct year-round demand redtiction duplication of effort in addition to enhancing operations in order to reduce the use of officer safety. marijuana and other drags, and to alter the public perception that marijuana is a benign In 2003, the ISC produced and disseminated drug. three strategic HIDTA special reports, all of which were disseminated at the national level. Eradication Initiatives in Kentuc@, Tennessee, and West Vi~Ninia - members Additionally, in 2003 the ISC provided leads conduct multi-agency aerial and ground that led directly to the seizure of dozens of surveillance to identify and subsequently indoor marijuana growing operations within eliminate both outdoor and indoor, cultivated the three H IDTA states and nationwide. marij uana.
Appalachia HIDTA hztelligence Initiative - ~<~Rq;ICI'P4 TI,N,~' A ~NCI'ES; Tiffs Initiative drives the Appalachia HI DTA FEDERAL: ATF, DEA, FBI, IRS-CI, USFS, Investigative Support Center- members in the USMS and USAOs (Eastern and Western three states make tip this non-collocated team Districts of Kentucky, Eastern and Middle who provide strategic, operational and tactical Districts of Tennessee, and Northern and intelligence to law enforcement officers and Southern Districts of West Virginia). agencies in the region. Through the Investigative Support Center, the team STATE: Kentucky Governor's Marijuana supports drug investigations for all assigned Strike Force, Kentucky State Police, task forces. Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Tennessee Appalachia HID TA Regional Training Alcohol Beverage Conlmission, Tennessee Initiative implements training that is in Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee District accordance with the goals and strategy of the Attorneys' General Conference, West Virginia Appalachia HIDTA and insures coordination with the National HIDTA Assistance Center (NHAC) and the National HIDTA Program Rocky Top Tennessee Task Force Office (NHPO). DEA South Tennessee Task Force Prosecution Initiatives in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia Federal and Investigative Task Force Initiatives- West state prosecutors in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia West Virginia complement all drug-related Huntington Violent Crimes/Drug Task Force investigations, working with the HIDTA to prosecute marijuana cultivators, drug Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network traffickers, drug money launderers, and Team violent felons, and target their equipment, property, and currency assets for seizure and Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime forfeiture. Task Force
Appalachia HIDTA Administration and U.S. Highway 119 Drug and Violent Crime Operations Support - the HIDTA Director Task Force and his staff, located in Operations Centers in the three states, carry out the policies of the Executive Board; ensure that initiatives are S~C~tN T ~ CH~E'~ENT~ established and executed in an efficient manner; provide program oversight; assist in In September 2002, the Appalachia HIDTA the development of new initiatives, and report Rocky Top Task Force and DEA Knoxville to ONDCP through the Executive Board. entered into a joint OCDETF investigation "Operation Underground" with BATGF&E Knoxville, IRS Knoxville, and Knoxville PD. Investigative Task Force Initiatives- This investigation targeted a major cocaine Kentucky trafficking organization in the Knoxville, and Bowling Green - Warren Coun~ Drug Task east Tennessee area. In July 2003, Force investigators focused on the communications Columbia Area Drug Task Force structure of the organization, ultimately using 17 pen registers and 7 federal Title 1|I wire DEA London Task Force intercepts. All of the Title III wire intercepts and all but one of the pen registers were Hazard Investigative Task Force funded by the Appalachia HIDTA. Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force Exploitation of the communications revealed National Forest Marijuana Investigative Task that the organization's source of supply was Force based in Atlanta, Georgia. This organization was reportedly importing 100 kilograms of cocaine per month to the Knoxville and Atlanta areas. Investigative leads developed and passed by the Rocky Top Task force to In vestigative Task Force Initiatives- DEA Atlanta Task Force Group IV assisted in Tennessee identifying a primary source of supply in DEA Upper East Tennessee Task Force South Texas responsible for importing Middle Tennessee Task Force cocaine into the United States and distributing it to Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. with the assistance of the DEA Phoenix Division Office, DEA Kansas City District In March 2004, Knoxville and DEA Atlanta Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and the investigators executed search warrants and United States Attorney's Offices for the arrested ten individuals indicted on drug District of Arizona and the Eastern District of trafficking and money laundering charges. Kentucky, continues to identify additional Additional indictments and arrests are financial holdings, criminal activities, and expected. Seizures in the Knoxville organization associates. investigation totaled 15 kilograms of cocaine and $156,660 in assets. Information and leads In addition to ten arrests, total value of assets passed by Knoxville investigators to DEA seized since April 2003 is approximately Atlanta Task Force officers assisted in the $3.25 million, including $1.4 million in U.S. indictment and arrest of 2l subjects on drug Currency and a $1 million Judgement trafficking and money laundering charges, and Forfeiture. This investigation has led to the the seizure of 49 kilograms of cocaine, 1 indictment and filing of a provisional arrest kilogram of "ice" methamphetamine, and warrant with the Government of Mexico for $452,000 in U.S. Currency. By working the Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico-based together with agencies and investigators from source of supply. Through investigative and otherj urisdictions, a Mexican drug trafficking prosecutorial efforts, a major international, organization responsible for distributing multi-state marijuana drug trafficking hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in the organization was successfully dismantled. Southeast United States was dismantled.
In April 2003, the Appalachia HIDTA DEA London Task Force initiated an OCDETF investigation of a Laurel County marijuana distribution organization. This investigation was launched as the result of an Operation Pipeline interdiction traffic stop by the Kansas Highway Patrol that led to the seizure of 300 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana was en route from Phoenix, Arizona, to London, Kentucky. A subsequent controlled delivery led to the arrest of three subjects in Laurel County.
Further investigation revealed that the three subjects controlled a tight-knit, family-based, Southeastern Kentucky trafficking organization that had distributed approximately 13,000 pounds of marijuana since 1998. Using a system of real estate purchases, semi-legitimate businesses, and complex financial transactions, the organization had laundered between five and ten million dollars during the same time period. This ongoing investigation, conducted A / ~" NTA, ~- r- e TA? :
General jormaxi a: ~¢a~ of D~e~ig~!atiOn:: 1995 ~ograpJii¢, Ar~e.a.~:of Respo, n sihi!it$~" ~eo~rgi~.:- City of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb Counties, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Co.~t~et.'- (404) 815-4400
Missi S tatea e t, alleviate the harmful consequences of drug trafficking, drug abuse and armed violence. The mission of the Atlanta HIDTA Program is to measurably enhance public safety in Threa - h traCto: strategically designated high crime areas of metropolitan Atlanta (City of Atlanta, The long standing roles of metropolitan Fulton/DeKalb Counties). This mission is to Atlanta as a significant wholesale, retail, and be accomplished principally, by two transportation hub for drug trafficking, as intelligence driven investigative Drug Task well as a major financial center, are factors Forces, which are focused on reducing and in the movement of controlled substances dismantling a number of categorical into and through the region. Atlanta also international, national, and regional Drug serves as a key distribution center for drugs Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) and transported into the U.S. from source areas. Violent Career Criminals operating within or otherwise affecting Atlanta HIDTA areas Significant increases in the region's of responsibility and other HIDTA zones Hispanic population, driven primarily by throughout the US. Financial and technical employment opporttinities in the investigative functions, as well as construction and service industries, have administrative and intelligence support afforded anonymity to Mexican and which enhance targeting coordination of Southwestern U.S. based criminal drug trafficking control efforts and organizations involved in drug interagency cooperation and coordination transportation and distribution. These are essential aspects of this domestic law criminal organizations are the principle enforcement mission which is designed to transporters of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine into the Atlanta region.
10 The distribution and abuse of cocaine are the potent alternative. Although most significant drug threats to the methamphetaminc is transported primarily metropolitan Atlanta area. Atlanta is a into the Atlanta area from Mexico and major cocaine transportation and distribution California, there also is significant hub for the southeastern United States. methamphetamine production throughout Mexico-based DTOs are primarily Georgia in small clandestine laboratories. responsible for transporting cocaine to the area. The primary sources for cocaine are Distribution and abuse of methamphetamine California, Texas, and Mexico. A are expanding to all areas of the state. No significant portion of the powdered cocaine longer considered 10- 8- o# ;~. r r : . ®: .... * : " . DAtlanta HIDTA Crystal =e Methamphetamine Seizures I 0 CY 2001 CY 2002 CY 2003 Atlanta HI DTA Crystal Methalnphctamine or "Ice" seizures increased ahnost 1,300% between CY 2002 and CY 2003. metropolitan area. Low-level criminal in clandestine laboratories, is a significant groups that operate in specific law enforcement and community threat. neighborhoods are primarily responsible for Multi-pound seizures by law enforcement cocaine, crack, and other drug-related are becoming common. The NDTS 2004 violence affecting the metropolitan Atlanta (Atlanta HIDTA) reports 50% of region. methamphetanline cases to be closely associated with violent crimes in their Law enforcenlent reporting reflects that respective areas. methamphetamine has emerged as the Marijuana is the most readily available and primary threat in suburban communities widely abused illicit drug in the Atlanta neighboring Fulton and DeKalb counties metropolitan area; however, the drug is and quantities, in both powdered and crystal considered a lower threat than cocaine or < 11 Quantities of heroin are easily obtainable activities are important evidentiary elements and are trafficked, principally, in inner city in the arrest and prosecution process, Atlanta neighborhoods. Specifically singular focus on these criminal engulfed by a high volume of heroin commodities as an evaluation impact distribution is the English Avenue measure, is indeed one dimensional and, in Community. According to the Atlanta terms of measuring overall drug crime Police Department, Atlanta is the secondary suppression, somewhat meaningless. supply hub for heroin distribution outlets located in Columbus and Savannah as well Strategic targeting and sustained_disruption as to other locations in the southeastern and dismantlement of organized retail, United States. Heroin is transported wholesale, and criminal groups, related primarily from Florida, New Jersey, New distribution organizations (wholesalers), York, and Texas to the metro Atlanta area. transportation networks, clan lab operators, co-conspirator smugglers, sources of supply, Atlanta has traditionally supported a thriving and supporting criminal financial services club drug trade that is fueled by readily are the heart HIDTA's drug enforcement available supplies of MDMA, GHB, LSD, program. Suppressing the volume of and Rohypnol. Much of the popularity of organized drug trafficking organizations, these drugs is related to the mistaken locally, regionally, nationally, and globally, perception that they have few, if any, under a systematic, intelligence-driven negative consequences. Typically, profit strategy is the desirable "end game" for law margins are very high and the penalties for enforcement and prosecutive agencies MDMA and GHB distribution are much less (Federal, state, and local) participating in the severe than penalties for distribution of other Atlanta HIDTA Program. dangerous drugs. The popularity of hallucinogens is particularly high in CORE INITIATIVES suburban areas, although many abusers The Atlanta HIDTA's operational role in travel into the city to purchase their drugs. this strategic process is two fold - one, a Pharmaceuticals are diverted and abused in traditional, but strategic geographical the Atlanta metropolitan area. PCP investigative focus on a number of identified (phencyclidine) and psilocybin are also categorical drug trafficking organizations; available and abused in the metro Atlanta and second, a public safety role in area. incarcerating an identified number of violent career criminals operating in HIDTA zones. _ 7 ~ #i -o OCDETF/CPOT: The Atlanta HIDTA's two investigative task force components and Previously defined drug and armed violence intelligence center are operationally engaged threats confronting HIDTA Task Forces in with DOJ's OCDETF Program and with Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties, are not CPOT targeting mechanisms dedicated to simply redressed by increasing arrests, or disrupt and dismantle entire organizational effecting larger drug or cash seizures from infrastructure of major international, disparate trafficking cells and "not-so national, and regional trafficking organized" violator groups and individuals. organizations. Those drug threats affecting Neither is the availability or actual use of both the Atlanta region and other HIDTA illicit substances appreciably diminished areas of the US are the focus of the HIDTA through large seizures or a growing volume Program. Atlanta HIDTA intelligence and of non-strategic arrests. While drug and enforcement strategy share a collateral asset removals from these clandestine support commitment to participating HIDTA 12 law enforcement agencies in their respective DeKalb County Police Department, Fulton drug investigative activities. County District Attorney's Office, Fulton County Police Department, Georgia Bureau SUPPORT IN~[T~[AT~[VES of Investigation, Georgia National Guard, Equal in importance to HIDTA's operational State of Georgia Attorney General's Office, role is the institutional assistance and Georgia State Patrol, MARTA Police enhancements provided by the HIDTA Department. Program to Federal, state, and local LEAs and prosecutor's offices participating in the S,gni ie e Ae h e e en!s, HIDTA Program. As HIDTA's two Task Forces investigatively target DTOs and ~nteHigence: In the Spring of 2003, Atlanta apply enforcement actions in specific high HIDTA's Drug Intelligence Fusion crime areas, and to the Metro Atlanta Component developed a new sub-initiative - Region, HIDTA provides collectivesupport the Statewide Analytical Interdiction to law enforcement agencies operating in Narcotics Team (SAINT). This program, Fulton and DeKalb Counties through the developed through HIDTA participating law HIDTA Drug Intelligence Fusion enforcement partnerships with the Georgia Component, where criminal organizational State Patrol, ICE, and other HIDTA "dots are connected" for follow-up agencies, was developed to address the investigation, and where refined strategic shipment of controlled substances and targeting and information sharing is contraband cases over interstate highways in designed to occur. Leads affecting HIDTA Georgia. Specifically, this intelligence initiated cases are developed, leads for support project, was intended to place a participating HIDTA law enforcement coordinated multi-agency intelligence agencies, and other HIDTAs are produced, support mechanism for drug interdiction and disseminated. responders and investigative units in Metro Atlanta and other areas of Georgia. During tn:v estigat&e SU part Ce.nte,. the development of Atlanta HIDTA's SAINT program, this project was "married" The Investigative Support Center (ISC) is to and coordinated with the existing HIDTA home to the Metro Atlanta HIDTA Task interdiction program operation by the Gulf Force, a Technical Equipment Facility, an Coast H IDTA and to other H IDTA border Automated Wiretap Center, a Training interdiction components - all linked to the Facility, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Joint E1 Paso Intelligence Center. Since its Intelligence Group (MAJIG). The inception in March 2003, SAINT has functionality and usage of all of these collected information on 432 violators, 317 component services have greatly facilitated incidents, produced 59 Intelligence and enhanced our core initiatives and Bulletins, 84 Letters of Dissemination, and support functions in our reported strategy. made over 110 contacts throughout the State of Georgia and the United States. P- 13 undercover officers were able to make In March 2004, the seizure of 15 kilograms several purchases (buys/walks) from several of heroin and the an'ests of five individuals members of the organization, including were the result of an ongoing investigation direct purchase of crack cocaine from the into an international cocaine and heroin head of the organization by an undercover smuggling DTO. This investigation is police officer. In March 2003, agents ongoing. conducted a search warrant on an apartment controlled by members of the gang. The The Atlanta and DeKalb HIDTA Task head of the organization and five of his Forces disrupted 27 and dismantled 17 associates were arrested inside the DTOs during CY 2003. apartment. Agents seized approximately half a kilogram of crack cocaine, CY 2003 Arrests & Seizures: 395 Arrests; approximately one kilogram of powder 7.56K Crack Cocaine; 186.69K Cocaine cocaine, six pounds of marijuana, one gun, HCL; 44.12K Heroin; 1,741.17K Marijuana; approximately $17,000 in cash, and personal 210 Marijuana Plants; 11.32K jewelry worth over $250,000.00. Total, Methamphetamine; 8.51K Crystal agents arrested eleven members of the group Methamphetamine; 3 Meth Labs; 90.69K for narcotics violations. Eight of the Khat; 21.09K MDMA; 21.46K Opium; defendants were federally indicted for $1,198,271 U.S. Currency; 46 Vehicles; 81 conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and all had Firearms; 1 home; 10 scales; $257,000 in subsequently pied guilty. Three of them are Jewelry. serving long federal sentences. The head of the organization and four of his associates are currently awaiting sentencing in Federal Court. 14 I , ev 77 o~ 7 r ~r ~ .~ ~'L F~. 0 g General $e,faema¢.N : Year of D~e.sig.at&tt: 1998 ~eograp!iie drea~: ofRespatt~ihi!itv~. C~t!tr~gFlavi&~¢, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, and Volusia counties. Ca~ta.~t~ (407) 585-2741 airports, two major seaports, and 75 miles of coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, The mission of the Central Florida High 47 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Ocean, and a 2002 population estimate (CFH1DTA) is to measurably reduce of 4,488,503 (which equates to 1/3 of the drug trafficking, money laundering, and total Florida state population). Due to violent crime in Central Florida, thereby the movement of drugs between Tampa, reducing the impact of these drugs and Orlando, and Daytona Beach and the their associated violence in other parts of easy accessibility of all counties to US the United States. Interstate 4, this area has become known as the I-4 corridor. Threat Ahsgra.et.': The Central Florida HIDTA continues to The CFHIDTA covers seven counties f'ace a unique drug trafficking situation. fl'om the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic It is a center for the importation of drugs Ocean. It is comprised of (flom West to due to its geographic location, its East) Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, tremendous tourisnl industry, and its Osceola, Orange, Seminole, and Volusia large and efficient air, land, and sea Counties. Located within this 8,000 transportation system. The area also square mile area, inclusive of Brevard supports a large "user" population as is County, are several major population evidenced by the overwhehning amount centers (Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg, of heroin deaths. Its agricultural industry and Daytona Beach), four international supports a migrant worker population 15 responsible for the importation of across CFHIDTA region. This is marijuana and methamphetamine from facilitated by increased indoor grows, California, Texas and Mexico. overnight parcel deliveries, as well as, Clandestine Methamphetamine labs have over land transportation by privately been predominately located in Polk owned vehicles with hidden County. However, in 2003 compartments. The drug Ecstasy, also methamphetamine labs appeared in the known as 3-4 surrounding counties and have increased methylenedioxymethamphetamine in number. (MDMA) is inundating the CFHIDTA area, primarily Orlando and Tampa SEIZED MEIH LABS REPO RIED TO metro areas. The "Rave scene" in these C FH I D'IA cities also promotes the use of other / "Club drugs" such as Ketamine, Gamma 60- Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB), Nitrous 40- Oxide, and Lysergic Acid Diethyl amide (LSD). 20- Also of concern is the diversion of the 0- , , J ~ i highly addictive pharmaceutical 999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Oxycotin. Heroin is still the number one problem facing the Central Florida area. Reported Streeegy A'hstroet; heroin overdose deaths for the CFHIDTA reached a total of 136 in The Central Florida HIDTA focuses on a 2003, with the most reported in Orange, regional concept, concentrating on the Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties. most prevalent drug in those regions. It strives to disrupt and dismantle those FLORIDA HEROIN OVERI)OSE DEATHS organizations responsible for the importation, manufacture, and 3o0250 distribution of those drugs. The Central 200 m m m~ Florida HIDTA coordinated thirteen Dealhs 150 p~l, as, ~3, . initiatives in 2004. These initiatives are IO0 ,o contained within three subsystems: 0 Intelligence, Investigative, and Support. 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 [] State Total rq CFHIDTA Area The Central Florida Investigative Support Center (CFISC) houses the The CFHIDTA counties comprise 10% intelligence and support sub-system of the Florida counties and accounted for which was initiated to provide regional over 59% of the total Heroin overdose intelligence, investigative leads, and deaths in the state. These heroin deaths investigative support to all CFHIDTA overshadow the ever-present cocaine initiatives as well as local law problem. The area as a whole has enforcement. The CFISC consists of 9 experienced increases in analysts, 1 DEA Supervisory Analyst methamphetamine use, with and 1 computer program specialist. concentrated areas found around the The investigative initiatives are made up Mexican migrant fanning communities. of Eleven (11) investigative task Marijuana is still the drug of choice 16 forces/initiatives located throughout the increased investigative effectiveness and CFHIDTA. These task forces drive the safety, while reducing investigative strategy through the disruption and costs. The Center helps identify and dismantling of drug trafficking eliminate overlapping investigations and organizations. This strategy was duplicative efforts, and acts as a catalyst formulated due to diverse and regionally to unite agencies into more effective unique drug problems throughout the enforcement groups. Information and Central Florida HIDTA area. These task inquiries are provided from participating forces (excluding a Fugitive agencies to the Center. CFISC queries Apprehension Task Force) are regionally all available databases and collects all specific, with the exception of the relevant information to be assembled by Methamphetamine Task Force and the an analytical team. Multiple information Heroin Task Force, which are drug inputs allow the CFISC to develop a specific. broad and accurate assessment of the criminal activities that affect Central The support sub-system consists of the Florida. This information is training initiative, the Central Florida disseminated via inquiring agencies in a HIDTA Management and Coordination useful and timely manner. The Center initiative, which is responsible for offers a variety of services to managing and coordinating the participating members. These services CFHIDTA for the Executive Board. include, but are not necessarily limited CFHIDTA funded personnel in this to: NDPIX; NINJAS; Public record initiative include: the Director (contract), checks; Automated criminal intelligence Deputy Director (contract). Executive database checks; Intelligence analysis; secretary/training coordinator (Seminole Transactions & transcriptions analysis; County employee), Financial Analyst Coordination for Equipment loans; (Seminole County employee), and Information/intelligence publications; Receptionist/Administrative Aide Graphic capabilities (overheads, charts, (Contract employee). This sub-system graphs and GIS products); Space for coordinates all activities of the joint conference activities by Executive Board, and conducts daily participating agencies in multi-agency HIDTA business throughout the Central investigations; Training opportunities; Florida HIDTA and National Overall Trends, Patterns and Predictions HIDTA/ONDCP. This sub-system has of Organizations and Crimes. Recently, been responsible for all HIDTA training the CFISC has achieved a secure but and maintains inventory control, unclassified network connectivity with program evaluation, and tracks all all cunent Task Force/Initiatives and HIDTA funding with the HIDTA Florida H1DTA's. This connectivity Assistance Center in Miami. allows a seamless connection to the CFHIDTA computer network providing ~vesei~egive Su~nazt .C_eneer: agents and analysts the ability to request information fiom the "field". The The CFISC represents an innovative CFISC has been designed to provide a concept to combine various itlformation more effective link between intelligence resources into a consolidated source and enforcement and to enhance the product and to pool resources for abilities of both to identify, target, arrest 17 and prosecute key members of criminal Kissimmee Police Department; Lake organizations by facilitating a rapid and County Sheriff's Office; Lake Mary free exchange of information through Police Depamnent; Lakeland Police enhanced coordination and Department; Largo Police Department; communications. Maitland Police Department; Mount During the latter part of 2002, a unique Dora Police Department; Mulberry program was initiated in which each Police Department; Ocoee Police CFHIDTA Initiative was assigned a Department; Orange County Sheriff's CFISC analyst. Initiatives not only have Office; Orlando Police Depamnent; an assigned CFISC analyst, but are Osceola County Sheriff's Office; Oviedo electronically connected through the Police Department; Pasco County system described above. Most recently, Sheriff's Office; Pinellas County the CFISC completed the design and Sheriff's Office; Polk County Sheriff's implementation of the Analyst Request Office; Sanford Police Department; Management System (ARMS). This Seminole County Sheriff's Office; St. system allows for the exchange of Cloud Police Department; St. Petersburg information requests and intelligence Police Department; Tampa Police products. Additionally, it enables the Department; Tarpon Springs Police CFHIDTA Initiatives to electronically Department; Volusia County Sheriff's submit their investigative statistical Office; Winter Park Police Department; information to the CFH!DTA Director Winter Springs Police Department without having to stop, manually compile, and submit statistics on a Aehl vem quarterly/annual basis. In September 2002 and February 2003, Part&ipating: Agenet'e:s: two MDMA laboratories were discovered and dismantled in Orlando. Federal: AMTRAK Police; Bureau of These two MDMA laboratories were Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Bureau connected to the same suspect who of Immigration and Customs reportedly bought the laboratory Enforcement; Drug Enforcement equipment over an Internet auction site Administration; Federal Bureau of and the precursor chemicals from an Investigation; Internal Revenue Service; online company. Also of note, was that U.S. Attorney's Office; U.S. Border one of the laboratories had an unlicensed Patrol; U.S. Marshals Service. pill press and the other laboratory site had as pill press on order. State/Local: Altamonte Springs Police Department; Apopka Police Department; In January 2003, the Osceola County Clearwater Police Department; Clermont Investigative Bureau (OCIB), a Police Department; Florida Depamnent CFHIDTA initiative, concluded a year of Financial Services; Florida long investigation called "Operation Department of Law Enforcement; Crystal Phish". This investigation Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages targeted an organization which was and Tobacco; Florida National Guard; trading methamphetamine for weapons. Florida State Attorney's Office; This organization has since been Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office; dismantled by OCIB. To date, this 18 investigation led to nine federal and i0 Between May 28, 2003 and May 3i, state arrests. This investigation resulted 2003, the Polk County HIDTA Task in the seizure of 70 firearms (including Force along with several other local several assault rifles), approximately agencies seized 34 pounds of 10,000 rounds of ammunition, 200 methamphetamine, several firearms and knives, 486 grams of methamphetamine, over $50,000. This enforcement and four methamphetamine laboratories. operation also disrupted a large Mexican OCIB Agents indicated that much of the drug trafficking organization operating methamphetamine was obtained during between Georgia and Central Florida. undercover "buys" and had been shipped Of interest was that out of the 34 pounds from the Phoenix, Arizona area in Fed- of methamphetamine, there were four Ex parcels. Some of the shipments were pounds of the highly potent type of concealed in hollowed out candles. methamphetamine called "ICE". It is anticipated that all individuals arrested During mid-August 2003, a major will be prosecuted in the federal court Central Florida GHB manufacturing and system in the Middle District of Florida. distribution ring was dismantled by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI). The eight-month investigation conducted by this HIDTA initiative, restllted in the seizure of an active clandestine GHB lab, several gallons of GHB, GBL (the precursor chemical use in the manufacturing of GHB), and the arrest of 15 individuals. Undercover purchases of drugs and seized chemicals had a potential street value of $405,000 and could have been used to manufacture at least 60,000 doses of GHB. Since March 2003, MBI undercover agents bought approximately six gallons of GHB, 1,000 Ecstasy pills, nearly 6 1/2 ounces of cocaine and unspecified amounts of anabolic steroids from members of this drug trafficking organization (DTO). These drugs were being sold around the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the downtown Orlando club scene. Those arrested include two UCF students, an Orange County middle school teacher and a bodybuilder. Warrants were isstled for six more suspects, including two additional UCF students. All subjects were fiom the Orange County, Florida area. 19 Cem, d Hg FA @e era* #nfarm aae: Year ofDeMg, otioe: 1999 ~eograpli&:'~r¢os of Rcspa~sibili~, Cal~roroio: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties. Co~taet~ (559)457-5040 MisMa Stateme t, the ready availability of foreign and domestically acquired supplies of The mission of the Central Valley California pseudoephedrine tablets, ephedrine HIDTA (CVC HIDTA) is to reduce the hydrochloride and other essential precursors, manufacture, trafficking, and distribution of chemicals and products. Large scale methamphetamine, precursor chemicals, and methamphetamine "superlabs" produce other dangerous drugs by attacking and more than ten pounds during a single dismantling the large-scale and often violent manufacturing process. organizations responsible through the implementation of cooperative and Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations innovative strategies. generally operate the superlabs. Increasing quantities of methamphetamine is also The goals of the CVC HIDTA are to: reduce produced in laboratories in the Republic of drug availability by disrupting and Mexico. The finished methamphetamine is dismantling drug trafficking organizations; smuggled across the border and ultimately to reduce the harmful consequences of drug into the Central Valley of California. trafficking and to improve the efficiency and Manufacturing methamphetamine in Mexico effectiveness of the region's law is considered less risky and easier to enforcement organizations. produce due to the readily availability of precursors imported from Asia and other T&re Nh traet : foreign countries. Crystal methamphetamine ("ice") The primary drug threat in the Central manufacturing, importation and use is Valley is methamphetamine. The increasing in the Central Valley. Ice methamphetamine threat continues due to generally has a high purity and is 20 accordingly higher priced. Small constant. Cocaine sales include both laboratories using the Nazi or Birch powder and crack forms with crack cocaine production method are on the increase. The use being greater in populated urban Nazi process uses Lithium metal such as communities. Club drugs such as ecstasy found in Lithium batteries and Anhydrous and GHB and club drugs are gaining a user Ammonia. Meth pills from Southeast Asia base through rave parties, and dances. ("Yaba") have been seized in the Fresno and Sacramento areas. Heroin trafficking and S~r~geg,y/db.agr~c~e abuse seems to be constant or on the decline in some areas. Treatment program The CVC HIDTA Executive Board is enrolhnent for heroin addiction has declined. comprised of 16 local, state and Federal law enforcement leaders in the CVC HIDTA The demand for marijuana remains high and areas of responsibility. A collaborative the use of public lands for cultivating approach between law enforcement and cannabis continues at increasing levels. prosecution agencies facilitates efforts to There has been an increase in marijuana reduce the impact of drug production, production on public lands by Mexican Drug trafficking and distribution in the Central Trafficking Organizations over the last five Valley. years in California. Five separate drug trafficking organizations have been The Central Valley of California continues identified as operating on National Forest to be a major manufacturing, distribution, Service land in California according to the and transshipment area for all types of Supervisor of the Sequoia National Forest illegal drugs. Regional drug trafficking and they are headquartered in Mexico. The organizations produce and distribute "epidemic" of marijuana cultivation and methamphetamine and marijuana to drug other drug related issues in national forests markets throughout the country. Heroin, poses a significant danger to the public and cocaine and other drugs are smuggled into law enforcement. The organizations that the region for local consumption or grow marijuana are often the same ones that transshipment to other localities in the produce n-lethan3phetamine. country. Regional consumption rates vary depending on drug type however Treatment Treatment methamphetamine abuse and addiction DRUG Program Program TYPE Admissions Admissions continue at high levels. The violence 2002 2001 associated with drug manufacturing and distribution impacts families, Cocaine 3,072 3,147 neighborhoods, and schools. Heroin 8,553 9,499 The environmental impact flom the toxic Marijuana 4,673 4,542 waste produced by methamphetanmae Meth 13,125 11,685 production continues to threaten the viability Table corn ~ares lust two years of data fi*r treatnwnt of regional farmlands, waterways and public program admissions in the Central l:allet, ItlDTA's nine areas. This pollution may last for decades. counties. The CVC HIDTA en[orcement initiatives proactively identify, target, disrupt and Cocaine importation, distribution and use dismantle the drug trafficking organizations remain steady in most areas. Cocaine operating the California's Central Valley. supplies appear to remain high with prices 21 The CVC HIDTA consists of six significant narcotic fugitives in the region. enforcement initiatives, one intelligence The multi-agency task force uses state and initiative, a training initiative, one unfunded local participants to pursue narcotics demand reduction initiative and one fugitives. Federal and state narcotic administrative initiative: fugitives identified by law enforcement agencies in the Central Valley are the Management and Administrative priorities. Initiative: The HIDTA Management and Administrative staff consists of the Director, Sacramento Area Hntelligence/ Narcotics Administrative Assistant, and Fiscal Officer. Taskforce: This multi-agency investigative They coordinate and administer the CVC task force initiates major investigations of HIDTA program and budget. The Director methamphetamine and polydrug trafficking executes the Executive Board's directives organizations operating in the greater and coordinates all initiatives and budgets Sacramento area. It supports other which are designed to reduce the regional investigative agencies as required and drug threat and meet national HIDTA goals. collects operational intelligence to identify The Director represents both the Executive methamphetamine and narcotic trafficking Board and ONDCP in all program affairs. organizations. The task force has an intelligence component as well as a Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force: Precursor/Vendor Program to educate Located in Fresno, CA. this multi-agency retailers about methamphetamine production enforcement initiative focuses on disrupting and to collect information about precursor and dismantling major methamphetamine chemical buyers who use the non-regulated and marijuana trafficking organizations, products to manufacture methamphetamine. precursor chemical suppliers, and pseudoephedrine suppliers. Their Southern Tri-County Drug Task Force: operational area includes Fresno, Madera This multi-agency task force is and Merced counties. headquartered in Bakersfield, CA. and includes an intelligence component and an Fresno Area Surveillance Team: This investigative component. Task force group is part of the Fresno Meth Task members investigate all aspects of Force initiative and conducts surveillance, methamphetamine trafficking, including the collects intelligence and investigates acquisition of precursor chemicals, regional drug trafficking organizations. The manufacturing, distribution, and money unit is led by a Drug Enforcement laundering. They also investigate and Administration supervisor and works with prosecute the drug trafficking organizations state and local investigators. Investigations that cultivate marijuana growing on public follow federal guidelines and are prosecuted lands in the region. The task force employs under the federal system. The team Title Ill investigations of drug trafficking concentrates on flexibility and pursuing organizations. Their operational area is wiretap investigations which increase both Kern, Kings and Tulare Counties. OCDETF and Federal prosecutions. Stanislaus-San-Joaquin Meth Task Force: Joint Fugitive Task Force: This Fresno Task force members conduct long term initiative is led by the U.S. Marshal's investigations of regional and national drug Service and was created to apprehend trafficking organizations involved in the 22 acquisition of precursor chemicals, and the investigative and intelligence training for the manufacture and distribution of HIDTA and area LEAs. Deconfliction is methamphetamine and other illegal drugs. provided by the Los Angeles County The initiative is located in Modesto and has Regional Criminal Information an on-site intelligence analyst. Clearinghouse, with funding for two Investigations are coordinated through the analysts supplied by the CVC HIDTA. The deconfliction services provided by the Los technical unit features an equipment pool, Angeles Clearinghouse. The initiative which makes equipment available for use by operates the Precursor Vendor Program in HIDTA task forces and other valley Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. agencies, and computer support. Supervision for this initiative is provided by a DEA Training Initiative: Training programs are Intelligence Unit Supervisor. presented throughout the Central Valley HIDTA region to improve the efficiency and Nge e 'e, .. effectiveness of drug enforcement investigators and intelligence analysts. Federal: Drug Enforcement Administration; Technical and specialized training programs Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. are offered in each year and all programs are Marshals Service and h'nmigration and coordinated with the National HIDTA Customs Enforcement. Assistance Center. This initiative falls under the Investigative Support Center. State/Local: Bakersfield Police Department; California Department of Justice-Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement; California Highway Patrol; California National Guard; California The intelligence initiative is a multi-agency, Youth Authority; Delano Police collocated element with a central office in Department; Fresno County Sheriff's Fresno. The intelligence center is comprised Department, Fresno Police Department, of two sub-units: an investigative support Kern County Sheriff's Department; LA unit and a technical support unit. The County Regional Criminal Information investigative support unit includes intel Clearinghouse; Madera Sheriff's analysts with local law enforcement Department; Merced County Sheriff's backgrounds. The California National Guard Department; Modesto Police Department; also supplies analysts to the unit. This unit Porterville Police Department; Sacramento provides support for phone toll Co. Probation Department; Sacramento investigations, ad hoc post-seizure analysis, County Sheriff's Department; Sacramento suspect and organizational profiles, and Police Department; San Joaquin Co. graphic support for investigations and Sheriff's Department' Stanislaus County prosecutions. ISC personnel also prepare Sheriff's Department; State of California- narcotic intelligence analysis, trends CALMMET; Stockton Police Department; assessment, statistical analysis, threat Tulare County Interagency Narcotic assessments, quarterly and annual statistical Enforcement Task Force and the Tulare and performance reports and the CVC County Sheriff's Department. HIDTA's annual strategy and budget. The ISC also provides analytical support with on-site personnel for the investigative initiatives in Sacramento, Modesto and Bakersfield. In addition, the ISC provides 23 SigeiJi a A!el ie ements surveillance units. Soon afterwards a call to emergency dispatch reported a home DUC TAPE INVESTIGATION invasion robbery at the location. A pursuit In March 2003 the Sacramento Area ensued and ended with the suspects fleeing Intelligence Narcotics Team (SAINT) the vehicle. Shots were fired at the police concluded an OCDETF investigation into a and a gun battle ensued. Eventually 11 multi-national organization that imported suspects were arrested and charged with marijuana, ice and ecstasy into the US from various felonies. Canada, the Netherlands and Southeast Asia. Cocaine was funneled through California SHOOTOUT WITH SUSPECT IN north into Canada. The DTO imported SLAYING OF POLICE OFFICER approximately 50,000 ecstasy pills, 500 The Stanislaus San Joaquin Meth Task pounds of marijuana and 50-75 pounds of Force was asked to watch several locations ice into the US each month. Drug proceeds where the murderer of a Pittsburgh were sent to Vietnam. A Vancouver B.C.- California Police Depamnent detective based Asian DTO coordinated shipments of might appear. A small red car containing a MDMA from the Netherlands to China, person matching the suspect's description where hundreds of pounds of "ice" (meth) was eventually located. The suspect saw the and ephedrine were added to cargo ships arrest team approaching and took a gun from bound for the Port of Vancouver. The his car. As he ran from his vehicle he fired Vancouver Chapter of an Outlaw at a HIDTA supervisor. The bullet shattered Motorcycle Gang facilitated unloading of the windshield, ricocheted off the steering the maritime cargo to stash locations in the wheel, and lodged in the headliner Vancouver area. The OMG then smuggled approximately 3 inches from the ice, marijuana and ephedrine south from supervisor's head. Other agents engaged the Canada into Washington, Oregon and suspect in a firefight and he was killed. California. and cocaine north from the US into Canada. Agents served 15 search METH PRECURSOR INVESTIGATION warrants and arrested 19 subjects for federal In November 2003, the Stanislaus San drug, conspiracy and money laundering. Joaquin Meth Task Force investigated a SAINT seized over $1.5 million in cash, real methamphetanline precursor smuggling and property, luxury vehicles and other assets. manufacturing organization. They distributed drugs California, Washington, HOME INVASION ROBBERIES: Nevada, and Oklahoma. Pseudoephedrine For several months in late 2003 a series of pills from China were smuggled from violent home invasion robberies occurred. Canada. Eventually search warrants were The Stanislaus San Joaquin HIDTA task served on 12 businesses and residences force was pressed into service to pursue the resulting in the arrest of 31 subjects. Four violent meth violators who assaulted several meth labs and over 40 pounds of finished women shot a man. The task force set tip a meth were seized. They also seized forty 24/7 surveillance on the suspects some of pounds of meth in solution, over 70 pounds whose members were connected to the of red phosphorous, (capable of producing Aryan Brotherhood, a notorious and violent 350 lbs of meth), over 80 pounds of iodine prison gang. After 29 days of day and night crystals (capable of producing 48 lbs of surveillance, the suspects drove to a rural meth), and 480,000 Pseudoephedrine pills. home and parked out of view of the 24 1('¢~ ofD¢,~igaa~ia~t¢ 1995 Geogvaph& ~r~e~t,s~ofR¢~pat~,~ihi!ity~ Hlit~aD¢ Cook, Grundy, Kendall and Will Counties Cat~te~'t~ (312) 603-8000 and www.chicago-hidta.org Chicago is the hub of an extensive network The mission of the Chicago HIDTA is to of state and interstate highways connecting enhance and coordinate America's drug it to other regions of Illinois as well as the control efforts among federal, state and local rest of the continental United States. This law enforcement agencies in order to highway network facilitates the eliminate or reduce drug trafficking and its transportation of large quantities of illicit harmful consequences in critical regions of drugs to the Chicago area, most commonly the United States. The mission includes in commercial trucks and private vehicles. coordinated efforts to reduce the production, Mail and parcel delivery services are also manufacturing, distribution, transportation used extensively in the transport of these and chronic use of illegal drugs, as well as drugs. The largest postal facility in the the attendant money laundering of drug world is located in Chicago as well as proceeds. numerous private parcel service providers who handle millions of packages each year. Threa~ ~bs,'tvat;t:, Chicago is also home to the world's busiest The area of responsibility of the Chicago rail yards and serves as the principal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area transshipment point for goods shipped by (Chicago HIDTA) is a microcosm of the mail from Mexico to Canada and between drug trafficking and abuse problems facing the East and West Coasts. law enforcement and punic health officials across America. The high volume of drugs Heroin use continues to be an alarming entering the city, combined with a large pool problem in the Chicago area with of abusers, virtually ensures a continuation Columbian and Nigerian criminal groups the of the city's severe, chronic drug problems. primary smugglers and wholesale suppliers. Heroin is consistently received fiom all four 25 source areas: Mexico, South America, the Southwest border or through the use of Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia. The wire transfers and other financial services. bulk of this heroin is sold at numerous open- Traffickers also invest profits from illegal air street comer locations, primarily on the drug sales into legal, mostly cash, businesses West Side of the city. such as nightclubs and grocery stores. Cocaine is transported to the Chicago area in metric ton quantities. Most of this cocaine Chicago HIDTA was established as an passes through Mexico before entering the United States. Mexican traffickers dominate empowerment HIDTA in 1995 to assist distribution in Chicago and organized street federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in dismantling the Gangster gangs control retail level cocaine and crack distribution. Disciples street gang in order to reduce the flow of illicit drugs and decrease drug related crime in the Chicago area. In 1997, Marijuana is the most widely available and commonly used drug in the Chicago area. Chicago became a full HIDTA and Polydrug traffickers operating from Mexico broadened its attack on illicit drug trafficking and related criminal activity. are the primary sources for this marijuana. These traffickers commonly transport metric ton quantities of marijuana from the The Executive Board is the governing body Southwest border to the city. Disruption of of Chicago H1DTA and is comprised of these polydrug trafficking organizations eight federal and eight state and local law require continued and aggressive attention. enforcement executives. The Executive Director provides oversight and ensures Although the availability of HIDTA program compliance and methamphetamine is limited in the Chicago implementation of Executive Board mandates. area, it poses a significant and increasing problem throughout the rest of Illinois. Through its initiatives, the Chicago HIDTA Methamphetamine lab seizures in outlying suburbs are slowly increasing, signaling Executive Board has continued and what may be a gradual incursion of the drug expanded its multi-faceted strategy to into the Chicago area. significantly diminish the drugs threats identified in the annual Threat Assessment. Club drugs continue to be readily available Chicago HIDTA initiatives include ten in the Chicago HIDTA area and are enforcement groups comprised of federal, typically sold to and used by youthful state and local law enforcement personnel, suburbanites. Asians, Europeans and two support initiatives and a training Israelis, relative "newcomers" to the drug initiative. Four additional enforcement trade, are the primary wholesale distributors initiatives have been developed and funded of these drugs. with supplemental funding awards. Chicago's status as a major financial center Enforcement activity by Chicago HIDTA initiatives has been designed to target major presents unlimited opportunities for laundering the vast sums of money illicit drug trafficking organizations through generated from the trafficking of drugs. aggressive investigations and enforcement that include sources of supply, sources of Typically, money laundering in Chicago is accomplished by transporting bulk cash to 26 distribution, drug interdiction and drug recently obtained the Police Computer related financial and violent crimes. Aided Dispatch (PCAD) which is the Chicago 911 Emergency Communications System, and uses it to augment the SAFETNet Pointer Deconfliction System. The Chicago HIDTA Investigative Support All location and target submissions are Center (ISC) is the common thread that checked against the 911 system to check for supports all Chicago HIDTA initiatives as any criminal activity, enhancing the officer well as those law enforcement agencies and safety feature of the system. The ISC has multi agency groups that request also recently acquired CIMIS, the Cook counterdrug investigative support. The ISC County Inmate Management System. This staff has responded to all levels of law database provides data on inmates, including enforcement by investing in and continually visitor lists and photos. The addition of developing the intelligence function, PCAD and CIMIS to existing resources has integrating the positions of the Intelligence proved to be invaluable. Analyst and Systems Analyst, emphasizing the customer service function of the Deconfliction/lnquiry Desk and the acquisition and development of effective Federal: Drug Enforcement databases and systems such as SAFETNet. Administration, Federal Bureau of The ISC has instituted the non-traditional Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, approach of having an Intelligence Analyst United States Attorney's Office, United man the lnquiry/Deconfliction Desk, with States Marshal's Service, Bureau of access to all ISC resources and investigative Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, software, Monday through Friday from 8:00 Bureau of Immigration and Customs A.M. to 11:00 P.M. as well as on weekends. Enforcement, United States Postal Deconfliction is available 24 hours a day 7 Inspection Service. days a week. State: Illinois State Police, Office of the Analysts capitalize on their core Illinois Attorney General, Illinois National competencies: skilled investigative software Guard, State of Illinois State's Attorney techniques, comprehensive knowledge of Appellate Prosecutor's Office, Illinois agency databases and relationships Department of Corrections, Illinois developed from the multi agency Secretary of State Police. environment fostered at the Chicago HIDTA. The application of Arc View Local: Cook County State's Attorney's Mapping, visual link charts and the creation Office, Cook County Department of of databases in support of Title Ill Corrections, Cook County Forest Preserve investigations has become a model in the Police, Cook County Sheriff's Police Chicago area law enforcement community. Department, Grundy County Sheriff's Within the first nine months of 2004, eight Department, Kendall County Sheriff's Chicago HIDTA analysts have supported Department, Will County Sheriff's over thirty wiretap investigations and over Department, Bolingbrook P.D., Chicago forty pen registers. P.D., Chicago Heights P.D., Cicero P.D., Dolton P.D., Joliet P.D., Lockport P.D., Innovative data sets and agency databases Matteson P.D., Oswego P.D., Palatine P.D., are constantly being pursued. The ISC 27 Plainfield P.D., Piano P.D., Posen P.D., Operation DAYTRADER Romeoville P.D., Round Lake P.D., Tinley Park P.D., University Park P.D., Case Number- OCEDTF I1-01-0367: In Wilmington P.D., Yorkville P.D. October 2002, the HIDTA West Side Heroin Initiative, comprised of personnel from the Chicago Police Department, Drug Sigeifit'~ Ae~:ie~et~eets. .~ Enforcement Agency and Illinois Department of Corrections, focused on the "Open Air Drug Market" (OADM) SAFETNet distribution of heroin on the West Side of the City of Chicago. The Vice Lords street In 2004 Chicago HIDTA became a gang was identified as the oldest and largest proprietary owner of the state of the art distributor of the drug in that area. The Pointer/Deconfliction program known as Mafia Insane Vice Lord faction (MIVL) was SAFETNet. Chicago HIDTA then examined targeted due to their organized involvement, the pointer/deconfliction needs of the Great use of violence, and control of over fifty Lakes region with a view to addressing not OADM locations. Federal wiretaps were only the counter drug focus, but also those initiated resulting in the interception of over of general crime and homeland security. 42,000 calls leading to additional targets. Chicago HIDTA has made the SAFETNet Numerous undercover purchases were made program available at no cost to law from MIVL drug spots for both heroin and enforcement in Wisconsin, Indiana, cocaine. Documentary evidence was Michigan and Ohio. The HIDTAs in each obtained from garbage pulls and extensive of these states have agreed to participate as surveillances were conducted. At the watch centers for their region in order to culmination of the investigation in May of maximize effectiveness and minimize 2004 the "round-up" resulted in federal expenses in the region. charges against 47 defendants and various state charges against an additional 55 In Illinois, the Chicago HIDTA defendants, all street gang members. As of pointer/deconfliction coverage has expanded late September 2004, 75 of these individuals from five counties to coverage for the entire have been arrested - the remainder are state. The Illinois State Police have fully fugitives. committed to the use of SAFETNet, creating their own watch centers to assist the HIDTA. The network is now accessible to law enforcement in Illinois through RISSNet, the ISP network and the Chicago Police Department I-CLEAR Network, which has become the state-wide network for booking and LEADS access. The Chicago HIDTA Deconfliction Center will become a participant in the National Virtual Pointer System in November of 2004. 28 ULZ' S g rA. 6enerat ~nformat&~: F~lr ofBe~igttaIiQ~e 1996 G~ograph& A'r~ ofRespaesihility: ~laha#Jl~t; Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery and Morgan Counties Lat.d~ia.t!a,.': Bossier, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and Ouachita Parishes Mi,~:MsMI2p~& Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Lafayette, Madison and Rankin Counties Ca~!toete (504) 840-1400 and www.gchidta.org Mi~sDn S~atement: conidor for drug traffickers transshipping drugs and money to and from eastern and The mission of the Gulf Coast HIDTA is to northern parts of the country. Its reduce illicit drug availability and its combination of waterways, deep-water harmful consequences within its designated ports, railways, highway systems and areas by standing intelligence-driven task airports are used extensively by drug forces and supporting infrastructure traflScking and smuggling organizations. designed to target, disrupt and eliminate The casino gaming industry in Louisiana drug trafficking organizations impacting our and Mississippi is also particularly attractive region and beyond. to drug trafficking organizations as an alternative for money laundering activities. Threat Ahstrac~," There are approximately 299 identified The Gulf Coast HIDTA is comprised of 20 international, national and regional drug cotlnties/parishes in Alabama, Louisiana and trafficking organizations operating within Mississippi. The three states are largely the Gulf Coast HIDTA. The drug of choice rural, agricultural and impoverished. The for consumers remains marijuana, although Gulf Coast HIDTA's geographic location cocaine and its base derivative crack, cause between the southwest border and the the greatest impact oll violent crime, the eastern seaboard serves as a strategic economy and society. Methamphetanfine lab activity has dramatically increased in the 29 last few years particularly in the northern by a designated training officer collocated portions of the three states. Much of this with the Gulf Coast HIDTA Mississippi increase has been small manufacturing Operations Center. operations and is due to the ready availability of precursor chemicals such as The Gulf Coast HIDTA strives to maintain ephederine/pseudo-ephederine and and improve a systematic approach to anhydrous ammonia. Heroin use has shown facilitate cooperative, collaborative law marked increases in some urban areas enforcement efforts, balancing direct particularly the New Orleans metropolitan support to enforcement operations with area. The popularity of "club drugs" such as robust systems designed to enhance law MDMA, LSD and GHB is on the rise enforcement efforts. The Gulf Coast throughout the Gulf Coast HIDTA. The HIDTA strategy is continually fine-tuned to prescription drug OxyContin has emerged as ensure it addresses the ever-changing drug a significant abuse problem across the three threat. To accurately measure present drug states. Many areas within the three-state activity and predict future trends, the Gulf HIDTA rank among the top in the nation for Coast HIDTA coordinates among federal, occurrences of violent crimes. This trend is state, and local law enforcement agencies attributed directly to drug trafficking and the production and publication of a yearly use. threat assessment. The yearly threat assessment is used to develop the strategy and align resources. The strategy is implemented through the funding of specific The Gulf Coast HIDTA strategy is to initiatives that target aspects of the threat in address our drug problem through a multi- a multi-agency collocated environment. faceted, threat driven approach balancing drug enforcement efforts targeting local, In 2004, the Gulf Coast HIDTA funded regional and international drug Operation Centers in each state and thirteen trafficking/money laundering organizations (13) other enforcement initiatives targeting operating within our area. This is various aspects of the drug threat throughout accomplished through a coordinated effort our three-state HIDTA. The Management among federal, state, and local law and Coordination initiative provides enforcement agencies. The result of this programmatic and administrative oversight strategy brings unprecedented synergism and is collocated with the Louisiana and synchronization among law enforcement Operations Center in Metairie, LA. agencies within the Gulf Coast HIDTA. Training is another important component of our approach. The ever-changing drug The Gulf Coast HIDTA Intelligence trafficking environment requires continual Coordination Network (ICN) serves as the training opportunities to provide area drug intelligence coordination mechanism for all enforcement officers with the latest and funded initiatives. Due to the locations of most successful investigative techniques our initiatives, which are dispersed across a available. HIDTA training is free to all three-state area, an innovative method of agencies and is coordinated with other collecting, analyzing and disseminating training organizations in the three-state area actionable intelligence had to be devised; to provide a balanced venue to officers. hence the ICN. The core of the network is Gulf Coast HIDTA training is coordinated the Network Coordination Group (NCG) located in Metairie, Louisiana, collocated 30 with the Louisiana Operations Center, Coast HIDTA digital wire intercept facility another H|DTA funded enforcement located in Metairie, Louisiana. The wire initiative. The supervisor of the NCG is a intercept facility provides both HIDTA and Drug Enforcement Administration non-HIDTA entities the ability to monitor Supervisory Intelligence Research Specialist court ordered wiretaps utilizing state-of-the- who oversees analysts who are responsible art digital technology. for the collection and distribution of strategic intelligence among initiatives. The Further, the GC HIDTA is a node on the group also coordinates the production of our national RISS.NET system allowing our annual threat assessment. intelligence databases to be hosted and accessed in a secure environment by other Collocated with the NCG is the Gulf Coast law enforcement and analytical personnel HIDTA Intelligence Coordinator. The across the country. Intelligence Coordinator ensures intelligence assets (analysts and intelligence initiatives) The GC HIDTA Intelligence Sub-System dispersed throughout the Gulf Coast HIDTA also includes the Technical Support Team. are fully integrated and sharing information. He is also responsible for implementation of the General Counterdrug Intelligence Plan (GCIP) in accordance with ONDCP and Federah participating agency guidelines. ATF, DEA, Joint Task Force Six, FBI, IRS, USCG, USCS, NPS The BLOC/HIDTA Watch Center is a United States Customs initiative, located in State/Local: Gulfport, Mississippi. It is a 24 hour/7 day Alabama - Alabama Attorney General's intelligence support center. Analysts Office, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, provide real-time law enforcement Alabama Department of Public Safety, intelligence to all HIDTA initiative and to Alabama Highway Patrol, Baldwin County over 2,548 customs cross-designated state Sheriffs Office, Bayou La Batre Police and local law enforcement officers across a Department, Bessemer Police Department, six state area. They also house a post Birmingham Police Department, Daphne seizure analysis team that conducts analysis Police Department, Decatur Police of seizures reported to the center. The Department, Fairfield Police Department, center also distributes a daily intelligence Fairhope Police Departrnent, Foley Police summary to law enforcement agencies Department, Gulfshore Police Department, throughout the country summarizing Huntsville Police Department, Jefferson previous day's seizures. County Sheriff's Office, Madison County District Attorney's Office, Madison County Intelligence exchange is accomplished Sheriffs Department, Madison Police through the Gulf Coast HIDTA wide-area- Department, Mobile Police Department, network (WAN) which allows for Mobile County Sheriffs Office, instantaneous, secure transmission of Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, sensitive inteJligence data among initiatives Montgomery Police Department, Morgan along with secure e-mail and other cost County Sheriffs Department, Orange Beach savilag advantages. Police Departrnent, Saraland Police Department, University of Southern The WAN also serves as the Alabama Police Department communications backbone for the Gulf 31 Louisiana - Acadia Parish Sheriffs Sigeifie .e Aehi emems; Department, Ascension District Attorney's Office, Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office, The Gulf Coast HIDTA has been uniquely Baton Rouge Police Depamnent, Bossier successful in marshalling a singular attack Parish Sheriffs Office, Caddo Parish aimed at drug trafficking elements operating Canine, Caddo Sheriffs Office, Crowley within our three-state area. By coordinating Police Department, East Baton Rouge Parish federal, state and local law enforcement's Sheriffs Office, Gonzales Police response to identified drug threats through Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriffs the funding of initiatives, the Gulf Coast Office, Lafayette Police Department, HIDTA ensures drug enforcement assets Louisiana Air National Guard, Louisiana remain focused on drug trafficking Army National Guard, Louisiana Office of organizations impacting the drug problem in Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Louisiana our area and beyond. The Gulf Coast State Police, Monroe Police Depamnent, HIDTA continues to develop innovative New Orleans Police Department, Ouachita ways to provide area task forces with secure Parish Sheriffs Office, Port Allen Police communications to share intelligence. Department, Shreveport Canine, Shreveport Through the use of the Gulf Coast HIDTA Police Department, St. Landry Sheriff's wide-area-network, the refinement of a web- Office, St. Martin Sheriff's Office, St. Mary based event/target deconfliction solution Parish Sheriffs Department, West Baton (SAFETNet), and our Intelligence Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, West Monroe Coordination Network, drug law Police Department, Westwego Police enforcement units in our area have achieved Department unprecedented levels of collaboration and Mississippi - Bay St. Louis Police sharing of precious resources. Department, Biloxi Police Department, Flowood Police Department, Gautier Police In 2004, HIDTA-supported highway Department, Gulfport Police Department, interdiction efforts have led to major drug Harrison County Sheriffs Office, Hinds seizures and the confiscation of millions of County Sheriffs Department, Jackson dollars of illicit drug proceeds. The Gulf County Sheriff's Office, Jackson Municipal Coast HIDTA supports these efforts by Airport Authority, Jackson Police providing real-time indices checks to Department, Mississippi Bureau of highway interdiction officers of federal, Narcotics, Mississippi Department of Public state and local databases through queries Safety, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Moss made by the HIDTA/BLOC Watch Center Point Police Department, Ocean Springs located in Gulfport, MS. The Watch Center Police Department, Oxford Police has expanded its services to include support Department, Panola County Sheriffs Office, to Atlanta HIDTA highway interdiction Pascagoula Police Department, Pearl Police officers as well. HIDTA-assigned Department, Rankin County Sheriffs investigators assist interdiction officers Department, Southaven Police Department, providing on-scene intelligence collection, Tupelo Police Department evidence processing and the coordination of controlled deliveries. Through these efforts, routine drug interdiction seizures oftentimes result in expanding investigations implicating other elements of sophisticated drug trafficking organizations. 32 The Gulf Coast HIDTA developed event These are but a few examples of how tile deconfliction solution, SAFETNet has now Gulf Coast HIDTA has utilized its resources been adopted by fifteen (15) other to benefit area law enforcement and other HIDTAs. Presently, the Gulf Coast HIDTA HIDTAs. Such sharing of resources has provides secure, web-based event/target become a standard within the HIDTA deconfliction services to the Appalachia, program and has opened new vistas and Atlanta and New England HIDTAs from its opportunities in law enforcement expanding server located in Metairie, LA, resulting in far beyond drug-focused operations. considerable savings of operational and start-up costs. 33 ~~t211 N~t~a~: Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii counties ~at~tae.~.r (808) 356-4400 and seizure data for both these drugs indicate that availability is high, while As the crossroad of the Pacific and gateway demand data suggest that use of both drugs, into the continental United States, the along with the consequences of that use, is Hawaii HIDTA's participating agencies high and increasing. Nonetheless, the work together by means of integrated magnitude of the crystal methamphetamine initiatives to disrupt and dismantle drug problem in Hawaii, a far more socially trafficking in the State of Hawaii and in our disruptive problem, overshadows marijuana, Nation. With enhanced coordination and which has seen an increase in associated collaboration between Hawaii HIDTA violence, but not nearly to the same extent. agencies, illicit drug transportation, The second-tier drugs are cocaine (usually distribution, and usage shall be significantly reduced, thus enhancing public safety for all citizens. Hawaii's main drug threals. ~1 , I A multitude of illicit drugs are available to varying degrees in Hawaii, as in any populated area. These drugs can be categorized in three tiers based on the severity of the problems they pose to -.. ,iii~~ .~'.,,'~S~7,m>_-? :;7. Dt Hawaii's law enforcement and citizens. In the first tier are the two drugs causing the most serious problems, (ice) crystal methamphetamine and marijuana Arrest 34 crack cocaine) and heroin which, although domestic air and sea traffic including they remain problems in Hawaii, appear to passengers, cargo, and mail. Hawaii is the rank well behind crystal methamphetamine destination for crystal methamphetamine, and marijuana in contributing to the state's cocaine, and heroin supplied from the West drug troubles. Cocaine-related arrests and Coast and Mexico by Mexican Consolidated seizures are on an upswing, but demand data Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs) and suggest declining prevalence and DTOs; for crystal methamphetamine and consequences of use. At the same time, heroin transported from Asia, Canada, and heroin distribution and abuse appear to be the West Coast by Asian DTOs; and for diminishing in light of indicators suggesting marijuana transported from Canada and the declines in arrests, seizures, reported use, Pacific Northwest by local DTOs. Hawaii is and treatment. a trans-shipment point for methamphetamine transported from the West Coast to locations in the Pacific Basin, such as Guam, by local ...... i .... i .... :+ DTOs supplied by Mexican DTOs. It also is a trans-shipment point for methamphetamine transported from the West Coast or Asia to locations in the Pacific Basin by Asian DTOs. Finally, Hawaii is the source of high o T potency marijuana transported to the U.S...... : , +o + "~ + mainland, Canada and, to a lesser extent, tier d,'ug threats ~ ..~+?+'~+..~,a+'+ " " ~+ a,~ ++ Mexico by local DTOs. t.2:- +': "+~.;:+. + - Z;,~" fe,~..+-*'j,¢o,~ip+,~ +:.,-;_~--. .t,~ + +-+ I ' +~:+'~'+" ": ~"2'%-~+ + +'.''- + The region covered by the Hawaii HIDTA I ' " '+:' + '+J"'l~+~+~++~'~++ ' " ' comprises four counties. In addition to the threat from the presence of international and In the third tier are drugs such as MDMA, local DTOs; drug fugitives, armed violent GHB, steroids, and diverted drug offenders; smuggling, money pharmaceuticals, which are available and laundering, and the use of public lands for abused in Hawaii but to a much lesser cannabis cultivation plague the counties. extent. While it is imperative to continue Because of the way Hawaii's drug laws are combating these drugs and thus preventing written, a significant number of drug them from becoming a larger problem in the traffickers are identified but not prosecuted. future, it is the trafficking and abuse of Among the differences from county to primarily crystal methamphetamine as well county is that law enforcement in the as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin that County of Honolulu, far more than in the currently pose the most viable drug threats other counties, faces the challenge of illicit to Hawaii. drug shipments by parcels through Honolulu International Airport and the International International and local DTOs have ample Mail Branch. DTOs in Kauai County, opportunity to traffic those four drugs to, unlike in the other three, currently are not through, and from the area because of linked to CPOTs. Hawaii's high volume of international and 35 cocaine and predatory drugs by major drug trafficking organizations engaged The Hawaii HIDTA Executive Board in smuggling, transportation, supply or through its Oversight Committees has distribution. devised a clear, well planned, strategy to counter the drug threat facing Hawaii and Reduce the number of firearms the surrounding region. The process utilized connected with drug trafficking and the by the Executive Board: number of drug fugitives operating 1) Identifies primary threats by geographic within the Hawaii HIDTA. area; 2) Develops desired goals to counter the o Reduce rnoney laundering crime related threats; to drug trafficking. 3) Assigns responsibility to accomplish the desired goals; Provide drug intelligence and 4) Evaluates effectiveness of the program's investigative support to HIDTA outcomes; initiatives. 5) Provides oversight and implements changes as necessary. Provide event deconfliction and This process is dynamic, ongoing, allowing electronic communication links among for change and refinement. the island counties. Provide administrative support and For FY2005 law enforcement organizations oversight for program coordination, will contribute a total of311 (full and/or part planning, development, performance, time) law enforcement personnel and and fiscal accountability of HIDTA support staff, organized into 12 initiatives. resources. Two additional far reaching initiatives will be implemented should supplemental Provide training that will advance the funding become available. knowledge and coordinate the skills of HIDTA participating personnel. Each of the initiatives and the investigative task forces target identified drug threats ~n~e~tigat&e SUppar~ C~nter from the current HIDTA Threat Assessment. Each Hawaii HIDTA element is required to The Hawaii HIDTA Investigative Support accomplish one or more of the following Center (ISC) provides tactical and strategic goals: intelligence support to enforcement and interdiction initiatives in an effort to reduce Disrupt/dismantle International, CPOT, drug trafficking in the State of Hawaii. To RPOT, and Local drug trafficking facilitate the availability and exchange of organizations. information, the ISC is collocated with several HIDTA initiatives and links Interdict illicit drugs destined for electronically to other initiatives through the Hawaii, or transiting Hawaii's airports Western States Information Network and seaports, for the continental U.S. (WSIN). Operation of the ISC provides full and other foreign destinations. support to all HIDTA task forces and other law enforcement within the HIDTA region o Reduce drug trafficking of to achieve an intelligence-based approach to methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, all counter-drug operations. 36 WSIN Database Entries enforcement officers and intelligence Database Faltries 2001-21103 analysts. Because of Hawaii's unique island inakeup, task forces and intelligence / /---9393 10000 components on the outer islands maintain separate office facilities that justify their 801111 5095 5249 operational needs. Although there are 6000 I separate facilities located on the outer I 4000 I islands they do maintain contact with the I other initiatives through the ISC 201111 II J/J LAN/WAN, WSIN and various modes of 0 communications (i.e., telephone, meeting, 2001 2002 20113 documents, etc.). The ISC consists of two intelligence groups. The Investigative Support Center is jointly The Investigative Support Group focuses on managed by a DEA supervisor and a supporting on-going drug trafficking Honolulu PD supervisor and has sixteen investigations primarily in the areas of pelsonnel fiom the following agencies: COlnmunications analysis, association/lillk DEA, HPD, HNG, ICE, FBI, USCG, HCPD, analysis, post seizure analysis, and MPD, KCPD, and WSIN. In addition, the event/subject deconfliction. The Strategic ISC has four contract intelligence analysts. Support Group focuses on inoney launderilag investigations and strategic reporting. The P~w&qp(eei~gAge~ege~ group collects, assembles, and disseminates data for the Hawaii HIDTA Threat Federal: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearlns Assessment and Annual Report, Trafficking (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration Trends reports and other intelligence (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation bulletins. (FBI), Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Fisheries Service, lmlnigration and Customs WSIN Database Hit Rates Enforcement (ICE), Internal Revenue Database Hit Rates 20111-2111113 Service, Nawfl Crinailaal Investigative Service (NCIS), U.S. Attorneys Office, U.S. ~ "...... 22.65% Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals 25.1111'¼, 19.81% ~'7 Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. 211.00% Inspector General. 15.00% 1tl.26 ¼, ] State/Local: Departlnent of Public Safety, 10.00% Honohllu Police Department, Hawaii 5.00% County Police Department, Kauai County 11.1111'¼, Police Department, Maui County Police 211111 211112 2003 Department, Hawaii National Guard, and State & County Prosecuting Attolneys. Tile collocated and commingled of'rice space Other: Western States Inforlnatiola Network is configured to provide open access (WSIN) and Contract Intelligence Analysts. between investigative task forces and the intelligence conlponenl. This encourages free exchange of information between law 37 S igegiea Ae ievemen s individual was charged with managing and controlling a building that facilitated drug Hawaii HIDTA initiatives initiated trafficking and drug use. For a $20 fee numerous cases during this period targeting dealers were allowed to sell crack cocaine CPOT, RPOT, and local drug trafficking out of the video store which operated 24 organizations, money launderers, armed, hours a day 7 days a week. It was estimated violent offenders, and drug fugitives. Two that as high as $20,000 in unreported investigations, in particular, resulted in currency transactions occurred each day. arrests totaling approximately 100 people This investigation led to the seizure of 2 and disrupted or dismantled several drug condominiums, 2 cars, and various bank trafficking organizations stretching from accounts. In addition, the video store was Oahu and Hawaii to California, Arizona, and closed along with a service station owned by Nevada. the offender that had been paid for with drug proceeds. The estimated worth of all of the seized assets exceeds $1 million. As part of the investigation, DEA arrested 38 alleged dealers and users in the state and elsewhere with connections to cocaine and methamphetamine suppliers in California and Arizona. If convicted, the offenders face up to 20 years in prison for managing a drug trafficking house as well as a maximum 20-year sentence for each of the Operation Shave Ice was the investigation of 91 money laundering charges or 1,820 years a DTO operating on the island of Hawaii in prison. (Big Island) that smuggled multiple kilo quantities of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine through U.S. Mail, cargo, and parcel shipments. Lines of supply originated from Mexico through California, Nevada, and Arizona. Analysis linked the DTO to two CPOT-designated targets. The investigation involved 16 wiretaps and resulted in the arrest and indictment of 60 individuals and the execution of over 50 search warrants on Oahu, the Big Island, California, Arizona, and Nevada. Investigative leads generated from cooperating defendants have resulted in significant spin-off investigations including one wiretap investigation, a series of buy-busts, and reverse operations restilting in 13 additional arrests. Operation Swing Video resulted in members of the Money Laundering Asset Forfeiture Group arresting a video store owner indicted on 91 counts of money laundering. The 38 ' i '/ 7 , f 7f Cenera~ ~f~rma~e~:, Fear, ofDesignafivtl:: tggO: Te~v.a~:; Aransas, Brooks, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio and Victoria counties CO.t.!taet:- (281) 372-5857 i~ +" reduce drug in terms of the world market, but also availability through the creation and nurture reinforce the HIDTA's of intelligence-driven task forces targeting L£ major trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations and drug gangs. Further, the Houston HIDTA will enhance ,~,f'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-~. ~ ~FORLTBEND~--t-~L c ~ ~'/-' h ,., GALVES,TON and help coordinate efforts among federal, state, and local enforcement agencies." :~UOm J 7 /,/ ghrea~ Ab~rac~: iAR:ANSAS 39 firearms and aliens, and escalating acts of There were 288 DTOs identified in the most violence. recent assessment. One hundred twelve (112) of those were targeted for enforcement A complex transportation infrastructure or intelligence collection during 2003. throughout the 425 miles of coastline and 16 Thirty-four percent (34%) of targeted DTOs counties that encompass the Houston were CPOT-related cases, 47% were HIDTA enables direct access from air, land, OCFETF cases, and 32% were local cases. and sea routes. Additionally, the Houston HIDTA has active investigations connected to 50% of RPOT Overland means is the primary targets. In scope, 54% of targeted DTOs transportation threat facing the Houston were international, 23% were national, 13% HIDTA. The 15,124 lane miles of state were regional, and 9% were local. Eighty- roadways, including six major highways, five percent (85%) of targeted DTOs have aptly illustrate the threat to the HIDTA by foreign sources of supply, primarily Mexico land. The primary routes throughout the and Colombia. The Houston HIDTA serves HIDTA are U.S. 281, U.S. 77, U.S. 59, 1-37, as the base of operations for nearly half 1-45, and I- 10. (49%) of targeted DTOs. At least 37% of targeted DTOs are polydrug organizations. The Houston Airport System (HAS) is the sixth largest in the world. In the year 2003, The primary activities of targeted DTOs the HAS handled more than 42 million operating in the Houston HIDTA are the passengers and 743 million pounds of cargo. distribution of drugs and the laundering of drug proceeds. At least 54% of targeted Sea traffic apparently poses a moderate DTOs specifically distribute drugs (apart threat to the Houston HIDTA. Drug from production and transportation), with at trafficking through the region's waterways least 39% of those involved in polydrug and ports is difficult to detect due to the distribution. Eighty-four percent (84%) of sheer volume of cargo entering the area. targeted DTOs launder drug proceeds, Over 455 million tons of cargo passed primarily, through bulk currency shipments through Houston HIDTA ports in 2002 out of the U.S. using vehicles. (most current data). Four of the top 15 ports ranked by total tonnage for 2002 are in the The most common drug-rated offenses Houston HIDTA. (apart from drug trafficking) reported by participants in an annual Houston HIDTA The primary drug threat for the Houston survey were money laundering, assault, HIDTA continues to be cocaine/crack homicide, robbery and burglary. cocaine. Secondary threats include marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, and UCR data shows that overall crirne rates Ecstasy. Cocaine and marijuana pose stable, increased in all but two Houston HIDTA chronic threats, whereas methamphetamine, counties (Nueces and San Patricio) from heroin, and Ecstasy are relatively recent 2001 to 2002 (most recent data). Nueces threats and are increasing. County had the highest overall crime per Methamphetainine seizure amounts rose by capita in 2002. 555% over 2002, while the number of labs seized increased 45% over 2002. This trend Homicides in the city of Houston increased continues in 2004. by more than 8% to 278 flom 2002 to 2003. Those homicides defined as drug-related 40 declined by 17% during the same time area. The Houston HIDTA Threat frame. Assessment documents the threat that they pose to the rest of the country as well. Sgr~gegy Abstract: ~ Mindful of that threat, the Executive Board, based on intelligence from a variety of Houston HIDTA comprises ten enforcement resources, has identified the Gulf Cartel and Initiatives, to address Trafficker its various cells as the Houston HIDTA Enforcement, Money Laundering, Gang target that is most damaging to the country. Investigations, and Intelligence Because of this, the primary enforcement Development, and one administrative objective of the Houston HIDTA is the Initiative (which also brokers training for the immobilization of the Gulf Cartel. 450-person HIDTA task force.) The Intelligence Initiatives will gather all enforcement Initiatives address the available intelligence on the cartel and will HIDTA's geographic and criminal meet regularly with each Initiative, characteristics for target organizations. The exploring investigative leads and possible administrative Initiative supports courses of action. Cartel-related cases will management and oversight of the HIDTA become the investigative priority of each program, and brokers training into the Initiative to the degree that those cases are HIDTA community. part of the Initiative mission. The Board considers this a long-term project, likely to The Houston H1DTA Executive Board take several years to complete, and likely to comprises 16 local, state, and federal law require modification as traffickers adapt to enforcement executives in southeastern enforcement pressure. Texas. The Administration component of the HIDTA is in Houston, while the operational In a target-rich environnlent such as the components are based m Austin, Beaumont, Houston HIDTA, however, Initiatives Corpus Christi and Houston. The leverage cannot focus all of their efforts on one provided by the multi-jurisdiction task force group: the second priority in the Houston has proven invaluable in the successful HIDTA is cases of national significance, i.e.. prosecution of hundreds of DTOs since the CPOT, RPOT, OCDETF, and cases with HIDTA's inception in 1990. Formal clear potential to fall into these categories. participation by HIDTA task force member Finally, Initiatives must address the local agencies with foreign nations' law threat as well. Since so many drugs transit enforcement agencies has improved the Houston HIDTA, Initiatives must work international law enforcement transportation cases, and their impetus is to communication, and thcilitates future case turn drug seizures into drug investigations, cooperation. especially when a seizure relates to primary targets. Methamphetamine is a growing The primary elements of the Strategy are: problem and local agencies are ill equipped cooperative, collaborative task forces to deal with it, so the HIDTA Initiative will involving federal, state and local law fill the gap. Several national gang sets enforcement officers; intelligence-driven operate in the Houston H IDTA and many investigations; investigative priorities; local gangs terrorize Houston innovative approaches; and, accountability neighborhoods. and oversight. Some of the world's most significant HIDTA Initiatives will combine time-tested traffickers, transporters and drug money methods of operation with innovative launderers operate in the Houston HIDTA approaches like the Electronic Crimes 41 Initiative or the wide-area network, which County Sheriffs Office, Nueces County will allow agencies to share information and Sheriffs Office, Orange Cotinty Sheriffs software with economy and efficiency. Office, Pasadena Police Department, Port Arthur Police Department, Sam Houston ve,s£gag&e &eppart Ceage:: State University, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Office of the Attorney The Houston HIDTA Intelligence Sub- General, Texas National Guard. System comprises three Intelligence Services Initiatives. They provide Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and operational support through timely and Firearms, Drug Enforcement actionable intelligence via the products and Administration, Federal Bureau of efforts of local, state and federal law Investigation, hnrnigration and Customs enforcement personnel and databases to Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service- assist regional law enforcement agencies in Criminal Investigation, United States counterdrug activities. The sub-system Attorney's Offices (Eastern District of provides: tactical event and subject Texas and Southern District of Texas), deconfliction services to support arrest and United States Depamnent of Defense, seizure operations, and for officer safety and United States Marshals Service, United enhanced intelligence production; States Secret Service. operational intelligence support for active cases, participating in informant/defendant debriefings; cultivating new sources of information; performing post-seizure and Operation Enlightenment: This ongoing search OCDETF/Priority Target investigation warrant analyses; disseminating officer targeted a Houston-based organization that safety alerts and "lookouts" for wanted was trafficking methamphetamine, MDMA subjects; strategic intelligence to refine and hydroponic marijuana and blossomed targeting, to improve investigator into a Title Ill Electronic Intercept. Major management, to conduct and prepare Threat Drug Squad 6 uncovered a multi-cultural Assessments and other reports; and in- group headed by an Asian defendant with service analytical intelligence training. The ties to a Chinese smuggling group initiatives provide research and analytical responsible for the smuggling and support and prisoner debriefings, for distribution in excess of 500 lbs. of crystal intelligence-led investigations through methamphetamine. This organization used access to dozens of criminal and commercial technology such as text messaging and email databases for HIDTA task force agencies to circumvent law enforcement. In 2003, (and others) in the region. The Initiatives MDS dismantled this organization by also provide graphics production services arresting 31 defendants, and seizing more for case briefings and court case than $2,000,000 in assets purchased with presentation. drug proceeds. Agents made PowerPoint presentations to the defendants and their Pa.e' &ip¢e¢ing A gene.ies: attorneys that incorporated surveillance videos, wiretap conversations, and still State/Local: Beaumont Police Department, photography and resulted in plea agreements City of Baytown, Corpus Christi Police from all of the defendants. Federal Department, Fort Bend County Sheriffs prosecutors agreed that his novel technique Office, Harris County Sheriffs Office, saved taxpayers considerable resources in Houston Police Department, .lefferson 42 terms of time and money. The of illicit proceeds monthly. Using ,~lsm,m,em,~..tA" ,~ tl ~n Of this organization has confidentia! informants, agents made several significantly influenced the availability of narcotic and currency seizures in Atlanta crystal methamphetamine in the Houston, and Houston. The individuals associated Texas area. This case carried over to 2004 with the seizures are high-ranking associates with additional indictments and of the Gulf Cartel. In addition, agents plan identification of new targets. to seize two real properties valued in excess of more than one million dollars. To date, Operation Get Shorty: This case is based the investigation has resulted in forty-two on a successful OCDETF investigation in (42) indictments and the seizure of 851 CY02 that resulted in 12(twelve) Title Ill kilograms of cocaine, 1, 3777 pounds of wire intercepts and thirty (30) pen registers marijuana, eleven (11) vehicles and $6.5 that originated from an undercover money million in U.S. currency (narcotics pickup operation by Houston Money generated proceeds). Laundering nnitiative agents. In CY03, the investigation continued to focus on members of the Gulf Cartel who were responsible for the importation and distribution of approximately 600 kilograms of cocaine and the collection of approximately $10,000,000 43 .~ Co~ .. ~>*-Z7"_-.~ '4. #*~l Ih%N % Fear, o~'D~esignatian:, 1996 ~eogr~apii& Are~,s oj'Respa~.sihi!it£. D!d&ttut,~ Lake County Can.tecf- (1219) 650-2470 .ga. g.e=me~g:-. and East Chicago control and orchestrate the street level of distribution of cocaine. The mission of the Lake County HIDTA is to measurably reduce the availability of Lake County gangs have loose alliances illicit drugs, firearms and violence in with Chicago based gangs but many of these Northwest Indiana through the use of law drug trafficking organizations do not follow enforcement initiatives which are based on a any traditional hierarchical structure. They regional strategy that targets individuals, key are based in many cases on ad hoc traffickers and organizations that repeatedly relationships and their ability to purchase commit drug and violent crimes. and distribute drugs profitably. Violence is used to control or expand territory and to maintain internal controls, resulting in an alarmingly high rate of drug-related Lake County, with a population of almost homicides. For exalnple, the following one-half million people, is the second largest graph depicts the homicide rate for the City of the 92 counties in Indiana. Covering of Gary, which led the nation for the ninth approximately 500 square miles and straight year with more deaths per capita representing 80 different ethnic cultures, the than any other city with a population of over myriad of problems associated with gangs, 100,000 people. During 2003 one honlicide drugs and guns represent a formidable occurred approximately every four days in challenge for the cotlnty and its citizens. the City of Gary. Gary's homicide rate was The county contains 19 incorporated cities 66 per 100,000 people while Chicago, led and towns with 16 public school the nation with 599 inurders. Following corporations. The drug of choice in this Gary, the next most violent city per 100,000 county is cocaine, both crack and powdered. population was Compton, California. Street gangs in the cities of Gary, Hammond 44 appropriate judicial venue to ensure optimal 100"1-, [] 1997 prosecution. A Training Initiative [] 1998 coordinates the collective training of both [] 1999 HIDTA initiatives and area law 60 [~2000 enforcement. A partnership has been O2001 established with the Northwest Indiana Law D2002 20 Enforcement Academy to ensure the D2003 coordination and optimal use of training '°tlllllli0J,-L~ l I I D2004 resources throughout the county. Homicides in Gary, Hnd~ana Lake County Initiatives approved by the Executive Board for 2003 inch,ided the The Lake County HIDTA includes an FBI- following: led initiative, the Gang Response Investigative Team that is attacking street The DEA State & Locan Task Force- is a gangs from the crack house to the DEA-Ied collocated, multi-agency initiative courthouse. designed to disrupt and dismantle large scale drug trafficking and money laundering In addition, because of its central geographic organizations operating on a regional and location, Lake County is a major distribution national level. This unit targets organization point for shipments of bulk marijuana and with U.S./Mexican Southwest Border cocaine destined for the Midwest market. connections that use Northwest Indiana as a Investigations have identified familial and storage and distribution point for cocaine, business ties between Lake County DTOs heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine and Southwest Border DTOs. In 2002, for destined for the Midwest. the first time, an investigation identified a Southeast Asian heroin DTO sending #4 The Gary Response ~nvesiigafive Team- heroin from Thailand directly to Lake is an FBl-led multi-jurisdictional, collocated County. Additionally, a growing task force with a mission to disrupt and metlaamphetanfine problem throughout the dismantle street level drug trafficking state is quickly spreading to Lake County. organizations (DTO) responsible for honficides and other drug related crimes in S~'agegy, Ab~,~tract: Gary. The GRIT uses detention without bond and federal prosecution as weapons The Lake County HIDTA Executive Board against violent DTOs. This initiative has has approved five separate enforcement significantly impacted Gary's crack house initiatives, each complementing the other, epidemic and the violent crimes and plague without competing or duplicating resources. of homicides it spawned. All five initiatives attack the threat flom a different perspective, much like a basketball The Lake County Combined Task Force- team applying a full-court press. Each is a collocated, multi-agency task force led player/initiative is critical to the overall by the Lake County Sheriff's Department success of the strategy. The enforcement and the DEA. Its mission is to target, initiatives interface with a collocated disrupt and dismantle locally established Prosecution Initiative that inchldes county drug trafficking organizations, money prosecutors who have been designated as laundering organizations, and violent Special Assistant United States Attorneys criminal street gangs operating in Lake and have the ability to utilize the most County. 45 The Firearms Regional Enforcement The mission of the ISC is to provide Team- is an ATF-Ied task force that investigative intelligence support to the conducts ballistics testing and identification HIDTA initiatives as will as area law by utilizing the Integrated Ballistic enforcement agencies. The ISC is the only Identification System (IBIS) unit in Lake County with co-located access instrumentation. The IBIS unit can link to a number of Federal, State, and Local bullets and casings with other crimes, Law Enforcement databases, as will as thereby providing valuable investigative commercial databases. Some of these are leads. FIRE also identifies and targets unique to the ISC. Some examples of these persons who illegally purchase, use, and are: County Court records, County Booking supply firearms. FIRE analyzes firearm records, Police reports of the major cities in transactions and identifies those who obtain Lake Cotinty, and unique gag modules firearms through "straw" purchases, the use resident on a HIDTA-Sponsored inter-city of fictitious or illegally acquired Indiana database that are all accessible electronically handgun permits and unlicensed dealers. to the ISC analysts. The Prosecution Initiative- provides a full Investigative Support that is available time staff of collocated prosecutors includes target and event deconfliction for supporting HIDTA enforcement initiatives. Officer Safety in Lake Cotlnty; all HIDTA The staff provides case support including initiatives are required to use the warrant preparation, legal strategies, deconfliction services, and any other law training, trial preparation, and prosecution. enforcement entities operating in Lake These Lake County Prosecutors are cross- County are invited to use it as well. It is the designated as Special Assistant United only resource in Lake County that can States Attorneys to facilitate the filing and provide comprehensive deconfliction for prosecution of cases in the proper venue. Federal, State and local operations. They have successfully presented cases in Deconfliction is through the use of both state and federal courts. SafetyNet software that links four HIDTA'S (Milwaukee, Chicago, Michigan and Lake The Lake County HIDTA has also forined County) partnerships with community organizations and the Indiana National Guard in an effort The ISC serves as a clearinghouse for all to increase the effectiveness and impact of firearms arrests made by the four major the H IDTA. departments as well as for the numerous city courts in Northwest Indiana. Operation Tattoo Zap provides free laser tattoo removal to former street gang The ISC possesses a unique-to-the-area members to enable them to break their ties capability to enhance audio and video with the whole gang culture. recordings in support of investigation or court presentations, which has been used in The Indiana National Guard conducts a cases ranging fl'om drug trafficking to bank Demand Reduction Program with robbery. numerous innovative programs which has reached thousands of inner city kids with a Intelligence and analytical support that is drag free message for a healthy, full life. available ranges from simple research oil criminal histories to detailed document a'nee#ligeeee &epporg Cenge. _, exploitation; charting and production in support of cases; preparation of a wide The Intelligence Support Center is the variety of case-related material, including cornerstone of the Lake County HIDTA. 46 photographs, maps, charts, and diagrams as equipment known as the Integrated Ballistic needed by investigators and prosecutors; identification System (IBIS). By enabling phone tolls and pen analysis; and support to HIDTA personnel to make an initial interdiction activities comparison of bullet and cartridge casing evidence fiom thousands of cases in The ISC also provides investigative minutes, IBIS alerts investigators to intelligence support to the HIDTA initiatives potential links between violent crimes. A along with area law enforcement agencies. Firearms Examiner then compares tile Support includes analysis of telephone toll original evidence to confirm a match, and pen register data, preparation of case- providing connections between crimes and related material, including photographs, criminals that often could not be linked by charts and diagrams, as needed by both other means. investigators and prosecutors. Tile establishment of the ATF IBIS Initiative P vg&ipaeing A ies':, has significantly enhanced the ability of law enforcement agencies in Northwest Indiana Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & to solve gang-related shootings in the area. Firearms, Drug Enforcenlent For instance, in 2001, Lake County Sheriff's Administration, Federal Bureau of deputies responded to the scene of a drive- Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, by shooting, recovered seven cartridge United States Attorney's Office, United casings fiom the scene and submitted them States Marshals Service and United States for entry into IBIS. Two weeks later in the Secret Service. City of Gary, a small child was killed in a drive-by shooting. Gait Police Officers State/Loeak Dyer Police Department, East recovered 18 cartridge casings and several Chicago Police Departlnent, Gary Police fired bullets fiom the crime scene. All were Department, Griffith Police Department, imaged into IBIS. Correlation revealed a Hainmond Police Department, lndialm State potential link between the two cases which Police, Highland Police Department, Lake was confirmed by a Firearms Examiner at County Prosecutor's Office, Lake County HIDTA. Sheriff's Department, Merrillville Police Department, Portage Police Depamnent and After tile discovery of tile link, HIDTA's Schererville Police Department. FBl-led, Northwest Indiana Gang Task Force began an investigation of tile Latin Kings, a notorious Gary street ~<,,an-~. The IBIS hit helped to show linkage between Thanks to tile Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco gang menlbers and tile criminal acts they and Firearms (ATF), the Lake County committed. A Federal Grand .lury H IDTA has the vital technology to help subsequently returned a nine-count state, local and federal agencies solve illdictment charging seven gang members firearm-related violent crime in Northwest with racketeering, arson, attempted murder, Indiana. narcotics distribution, and the murder of the small child. All gang members were Through its National Integrated Ballistic convicted. This was tile first ever use of tile infornmtion Network program, ATF has Federal Racketeering statute against a street sponsored a Lake County HIDTA initiative gang in tile Northern District of Indiana. which gives local law ent:orcement agencies The cooperation, coordination and resources access to ballistic imaging and comparison fostered by tile Lake County H IDTA 47 culminated in the dismantlement of a violent drug trafficking organization/gang. This unprecedented example of the marriage of technology and tenacious investigation by uniformed patrol officers, narcotics investigators and federal agents is what the Lake County H IDTA Program has brought to Northwest Indiana. 48 L @S A?g 2k TA e:nerat anfare uagan:, Fear of~e,sigttatiotl'.': 1990 ~eographie Are~, ef t~espat~sihi!i~v: ~ Ca./~b, rn/a,,:, The LA-HIDTA's designated geographic area in the State of California covers the four counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. ~attta, ct.:, (213) 989-6457 / (213) 989-6460 M iss& Sea.gen en : Bemardino and is comprised of some 32,34l square miles including 213 miles of It is the mission of the LA-HIDTA to coastline with a general population of (+/-) measurably reduce drug trafficking; thereby 16 million. reducing the impact of illicit drugs in this and other areas of the country. This The economically and culturally diverse mission is to be accomplished through the population of the region exceeds that of 41 use of multi-jurisdictional (Federal, State, states. The territorial expanse of the LA- and local), collocated, and commingled law FIIDTA extends from Santa Catalina Island, enforcenaent and intelligence initiatives located in the Pacific Ocean approximately designed to attack, disrupt, and dismantle 25 miles offshore, in the West to the major drug trafficking and money Arizona and Nevada borders in the East. laundering organizations that are operating The Southern region of the LA-HIDTA is in and through the LA-HIDTA region. some 90 miles off of the United States / Mexico border. All types of narcotics are hrea Ahagrae.'g: - manufactured, imported and distributed within the LA-HIDTA and beyond. The Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area's (LA-HIDTA) designated Los Angeles - Only Primary Market in geographic area covers the four counties of Count O, .[br All Five Major Drugs - Los Los Angeles, Orange, R.iverside and San Angeles is the only piqmary drug market area in the country for all five major drugs: 49 cocaine; methamphetanfine; marijuana; ~trategy, A b.s.gt'g~eg: heroin and MDMA. Traffickers use the highways to transport most of the illicit The Executive Board presently has eighteen drugs into and across the country as well as voting members representing a working to move vast sums of illicit proceeds across partnership of the major Federal, State and and out of the country. OJthe 13 primacy local law enforcement agencies that operate market areas nationwide, Los Angeles is the in the LA-HIDTA region. The LA-HIDTA only area ident(fied as a prima#iv market Jbr Executive Board and its three all major drugs of abuse. It is the nation's subcommittees continue to take a very active largest market for methamphetamine, the and positive role in determining the strategy, largest market in the West for heroin and a priorities and overall direction of the LA- staging ground for Mexican drug trafficking HIDTA. As a result of their input and organizations and some National street guidance, the on-going effort on the part of gangs. (source NDIC) all initiatives continues to be enhanced through mutual cooperation and teamwork. Sea Threat - The Port of Los Angeles / Long Beach is the 3rd busiest seaport in the The goals of the LA-HIDTA specifically world - Busiest in the United States - 9.3 focus on the dismantling and/or disrupting million containers / 123 million tons of of major drug trafficking and money cargo annually - 213 miles of shoreline. laundering organizations that operate in and through the region with a primary focus on Air Threat - The Federal Aviation cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and Administration (FAA) recognizes 3 heroin. The LA-HIDTA was originally international, 94 municipal, and 3 seaplane designated as one of the Nations "major airports within the EA-HIDA region. The narcotic gateways", a distinction which is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is most evident and holds tree to this day. the 5 th busiest passenger airport in the world. 61 million passengers annually / 2,300 The Jollowing chart re/lects the Major Drug flights a day - 2 ''d busiest for cargo - 1.9 Trq[]icking Organizations impacted by the million metric tons annually. LA-HIDTA e~7/brcement initiatives, 2001 through 2003. Land Threat - The land threat from the South is perhaps the most obvious where ENFORCEMENT TA RGE TS large quantities of illegal drugs are brought North on the major highways of the region. 400' 350 Indigenous - The indigenous harvesting of 300' ~ 1 [,,I-I Identified 250 ~ I D Targeted marijuana in the nearby mountains and the 200 [[] Impacted continuing numbers of major poly-drug 150 ]• Dismantled manufacturing and distribution systems pose a significant threat to our region. Inside the ,OO.o HILII - ,oo.o,eo metropolitan and rural areas, hundreds of 0: clandestine (large and small scale) 2001 2002 2003 methamphetamine labs continue to In FlY 2004, this HIDTA consists of six proliferate. major task forces comprised of collocated Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, three intelligence projects, which comprise the Intelligence Support System 50 (ISS) and five critical support initiatives nge!lige ee &ep.par Syte=m each dedicated to the task of positively impacting the major drug trafficking Intelligence Architecture Phtn -- This plan problems that continue to face our redefines the intelligence responsibilities geographic region and country. and priorities within the LA-HIDTA, effectively "bringing together" our Over the years, the above mentioned LA- intelligence projects (Los Angeles Joint HID TA enJbrcement/intelligence initiatives Drug Intelligence Group; Los Angeles have seized significant amounts of CounO~ Regional Criminal hTformation dangerous drugs as reflected in the Clearinghouse, and lnland Narcotics Jollowing chart. Clearing House) into what today is called the Intelligence Support System (1SS). It DR UG SEIZURES (TONS) brings a much needed working memoranduna of understanding between our 70- intelligence initiatives, enhanced lines of 60- communication, and provides clear 50- []Total Drugs definitive lines of responsibility. 40- [] Cocaine 30- Additionally, the process brings an enhanced [] Marijuana 20- level of intelligence service to the LA- [] Meth 10- HIDTA law enforcement community. The 0 intelligence initiatives of the LA-HIDTA 2001 2002 2003 work to provide the most recent institutional drug intelligence. Additionally they provide LA-HID TA Strategy -- Design / Phmning - deconfliction, pointer index, case support, The Strategy for the Los Angeles High target profiles, intelligence fusion, and Intensity Drug Trafficking Area is predictive analysis to the entire law developed in close concert with all of our enforcement community in our region. enforcement and intelligence initiatives. At all levels of this dynamic process, we take Intelligence Driven Lan, Enforcement -- into account both law enforcement missions In C/Y 2003, the three LA-HIDTA / resources and the overall narcotics Intelligence Initiatives recorded 1,626 trafficking and money laundering threat in combined requests for service (an increase our region. oJ" 59% over last year) flom various law enforcement agencies within our region To assist in the process of ensuring that the which restilted in 21,469 analytical products Strategy adequately addresses the threat, a (increase o./46% compared Io 2002). rather unique system of "reverse planning" is utilized. This plan brings together our War Room /Intelligence Watch Center -- various LA-HIDTA law enforcement and Tile War Room provides "real time" intelligence initiatives for the dual purpose operational and tactical intelligence support of validating the various Strategy elements by tracking, around-the-clock, all Federal, and establishing individual priorities and State and local law elfforcement "high risk" achievement goals. By combining the operations within the four county region individual projected goals, the objectives of known as the LA-HIDTA. On-site the Strategy are identified, and agreed upon, Intelligence Analysts are available to to include both expected OUtl)UtS and desired immediately research the various law outcomes. enforcement intelligence data bases thus enabling officers to conduct enhanced 51 narcotic investigations. California, Highway Patrol. Critical Event Tracking - LA-HIDTA Local: Alhambra Police Department; Region -- in C/Y 2003 the War Room Arcadia Police Department; Azusa Police tracked 20,292 Critical Events in the LA- Department; Baldwin Park Police HIDTA region, an increase of 5.0% over Department; Beaumont Police Depm-tment; last year. This number included 1,120 Bell Police Depamnent; Bell Gardens deconflictions (6.0% one out of eve# T Police Department; Beverly Hills Police eighteen critical events) wherein various law Department; Burbank Police Department; enforcement "high risk" operations are Corona Police Department; Costa Mesa notified when they are about to conflict with Police Department; Culver City Police each other during the course of their Department; Downey Police Depamnent; El investigation. Monte Police Department; El Segundo Police Depamnent; Fullerton Police Providing Deconfliction Services for Other Department; Gardena Police Department; HIDTA Regions - Currently, the Los Glendora Police Department; Hawthorne Angeles County Regional Criminal Police Department; Hemet Police Information Clearinghouse (LACRCIC) is Depamnent; Hermosa Beach Police providing the deconfliction services for the Department; lnglewood Police Department; Los Angeles, Northern California, Central Laguna Beach Police Department; LaVerne Valley and Nevada HIDTA's. This notable Police Department; Long Beach Police capability, within the 4 HIDTA regions, Department; Los Angeles County SherifFs means that the LACRCIC "War Room" is Department; Los Angeles Police providing service to 384 Federal, State and Department; Monrovia Police Department; local law enforcement agencies; 24 out of 58 Montebello Police Depamnent; Newport counties in California (41.4%) and 1 cotlnty Beach Police Depamnent; Orange Cotinty in Nevada. The combining of regional law SherifFs Department; Ontario Police enforcement resources such as this, in order Depamnent; Pahn Springs Police to succes,@dly address major drug Department; Pasadena Police Department; trqfJicking i,s'sues, tl'tt6F .s'peaks to the ve W Pomona Police Department; Port of Los essence of the ONDCP National HIDTA Angeles Police Department; Redlands Program. Police Department; Redondo Beach Police Department; Riverside County Sheriff's Parei~ipaeie~g A gen. e.ies:: Department; Riverside Police Department; Santa Ana Police Department; San Federal: Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms; Bernardino County SherifFs Depamnent; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal San Gabriel Police Department; Tustin Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Police Department; Vernon Police Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Depal-tment; West Covina Police Internal Revenue Service; United States Department; and the Whittier Police Attorney's Office; and the United States Department. Marshal's Service. Other: Los Angeles County District State: California National Guard; State of Attorney's Office; and the Western States California, Alcoholic Beverage Control; Infornlation Network. State of California, Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement; State of California, Department of Justice, Criminal Intelligence Bureau; and the State of 52 Signifiean$ A e~Mev~e~mzn~:s,; The Houston, Texas, takedown resulted in the Federal arrest of i4 individuals, seizure of approximately 6.5 gallons of PCP, 14 "Operaeian RunnDeg Vater" gallons of liquid codeine and some $23,000 Southern Cal(/brnia Drug Task Force in cash. Other information and intelligence Group 45 has been provided to a number of DEA offices (New York," Chicago, Baton Rouge Beginning in C/Y 2002 and continuing into and DenveO across the country resulting in C/Y2004, SCDTF, Group 45, has been the arrest and prosecution of 5 other involved in an extensive investigation individuals for the manufacturing and focusing on a major PCP manufacturing distribution of PCP. organization. This investigation has led to a number of "spin-off" investigations, all of Special Notation - Local Violent Crime which focused on major PCP manufacturers hnpact - During this investigation, the and their command and control elements, Federal Title Ill intercepts assisted the Los that operate in and around the Los Angeles Angeles Police Department with the HIDTA region. Many of those individuals ident(fication oJl homicide suspect who was targeted were violent career crin-linals with arrested and convicted of second degree extensive criminal histories ranging from murder. The Los Angeles County District manslaughter to assault and narcotics Attorney's Office believes that a conviction trafficking. in this homicide investigation would not have been possible without the intercepted During this complex, multi-jurisdictional telephone calls. Intelligence and conJidential OCDETF investigation, 19 Federal Title 111 source in.formation developed in this intercepts were launched against these investigation resuhed in the solving 0./'3 independent organizations that worked in additional homicides in the Los Angeles conjunction with one another. This area. These homicide trials are currently investigation was conducted over a period of pending. Additionally, 2 of the prima W 20 months and has ties to other nationwide suspects arrested in this case are suspects in PCP trafficking organizations, specifically ! 7 other murders throughout the region. Houston, Texas, where the DEA Office has initiated a separate Title Ill investigation OF significant importance is the fact that the based on information and assistance flom LA-HIDTA region is the source of supply SCDTF, Group 45. for most of the PCP distributed throughout the United States. As a direct #esull oJlhis 1,1 the LA-HIDTA Region alone, this i##vestigation, lhe availability of PCP has investigation has resulted in the Federal significant@ decreased and the wholesale indictments of 64 individuals of which 57 price has dramatically increased. The price have been arrested. In addition, 17 otlaer of a gallon o/PCP has doubled, .fi'om $10K suspects have been arrested on State to $20K Additionally, much oJ' the charges. This brings the total arrests in this intelligence i#?/brmation has indicated that very remarkable case to 74. This the ./ew remai#ling PCP mant(fitctttring investigation resulted in the seizure of organizations have changed their method oJ approximately 8 operational / non operation by moving out eft'the region. operational PCP laboratories and chemicals capable of producing approximately 1,000 The case illustrates tile extraordinary results gallons of PCP, $610,000 in cash and assets possible with cooperation among local, and 86 handguns and rifles. state, federal, law enforcement units. 53 / / . " i / ~j" ,' I M "° ehsg' ° YSDYA...... 9,xcuIca& @e e=ra! farma. io : ~ea.r..... of D~e~ignatia~: j ...... 1997 ~eograp.hi~~ ~re_tts,. ofR¢ Missiat Statement: flights to Source Countries. The Michigan Region has historically served as a major The Mission of the Michigan HIDTA is to consumer and transshipment point from reduce drug trafficking, related violent crime Florida, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and money laundering in the HIDTA the Mexican border, as well as a center for Region. This will be accomplished through Middle Eastern Drug Traffickers, Money the coordination and sharing of Intelligence, Launders and Terrorist Organizations or a unified Law Enforcement effort and Cells. Community Cooperation which will improve the quality of life in the State of The Michigan HIDTA Region continues to Michigan. be a major transshipment point for Canadian pseudo-ephedrine used to produce T~geat. Ahsgraet: Methamphetamine in California and Mexico Super gabs. The Michigan H1DTA Region is centrally located with access to Chicago, Cleveland, Michigan waterways and lakes provide New York, Toronto and Montreal. All are virtually unhindered access to limitless major urban centers with key roles in the landing areas from cities and ports in North American drug trade. The Michigan Canada, The St. Lawrence Seaway, as well HIDTA shares a 700 nfile international as U.S. cities such as Cleveland and border with Ontario, Canada, with three principle Ports of Entry into the United Chicago. States. Each of these accounts for many The Detroit Metropolitan airport has been a thousands of vehicles and trucks, entering major smuggling route for narcotics both and leaving the United States. Numerous inbound and outbound for many years. airports, including Detroit Metro Airport, Numerous seizures have been made at this smwice the region with direct International 54 international airport including cocaine, support the Michigan HIDTA Strategies to heroin, marijuana, and large sums of cash. counter the drug threat. Numerous regional airports and private landing strips facilitate the transshipment of ~e v~e.s,eigagive Sl~_ppar¢ Cenge,,r, ,: narcotics into the Michigan HIDTA area. The Intelligence Subsystem of the Michigan Since September 11, 2001, heightened HIDTA is comprised of the Investigative security at area airports has reduced Support and Deconfliction Center (ISDC), activities, which defer to land routes. giving access to all of the Task Force Initiatives and law enforcement agencies. Seza¢egy Ahs.e~,~e¢t.',, The ISDC is cornprised of a Deconfliction The Michigan HIDTA Executive Board, Section and four Investigative Support through its subcommittees, coordinates and Sections. Each investigative support section synchronizes the efforts to reduce drug will have primary responsibility to an trafficking; eliminate duplication; assigned group of Task Force Initiatives and systematically improve the sharing of drug secondary responsibility to all other Task intelligence and targeting information; and Force Initiatives and other participants. utilizes specialized law enforcement task forces to concentrate on particular areas of Core functions of the Investigative Support criminal activity associated with drag and Deconfliction Center include, but are trafficking. not limited to: Michigan HIDTA initiatives focus oil multi- - Event and case deconfliction level drag trafficking. To accomplish this, - Post seizure analysis the Michigan HIDTA Executive Board - Analytical case support continues to adopt a three tiered strategy to - Strategic intelligence counter drug trafficking. Level One - Annual Threat Assessnlent Initiatives focus on "street level" drug - One-stop-shopping for federal, trafficking, Level Two Initiatives focus on state and local intelligence drug traffickers and tile importation of drugs databases. into the Michigan area, and Level Three Initiatives focus on the major drug The Investigative Support and Deconfliction trafficking and money laundering Center is inter-connected through the organizations, by investigating Priority Milwaukee HIDTA ISC as part of tile Targets (CPOT). Current and future Riss.net connectivity plan. The Michigan initiatives will provide multi-agency efforts HIDTA Investigative Support and that will support tile goals of this strategy. Deconfliction Center has maintained an All Initiatives integrate and are supported by achievement of 24 of the 26 Intelligence and the Michigan HIDTA Investigative Support Information Sharing H IDTA Developmental and Deconfliction Center (ISDC). Standards, and is in compliance with a majority of the milestones, which were Tile Michigan HIDTA Executive Board has contained in the GCIP. All members of tile approved twenty-two (22) initiatives for FY Michigan HIDTA Investigative Support and 2004 (two of these initiatives were later Deconfliction Center are collocated, full- combined into one due to a reduction in time assigned personnel. Several agencies manpower). The approved law enforcement contribute to tile Investigative Support and initiatives make tip the Investigative Deconfliction Center oil a part-time basis, Subsystem of the Michigan HIDTA and such as tile Internal Revenue Service and the ~3p_ Canadian Customs Service. Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, United States Marshals Service, U.S. The Michigan HIDTA Strategy focuses on Attorneys obtaining the most recent institutional drug Office from the Eastern District of Michigan intelligence and on developing new sources. and the Transportation Security This information is supported as much as Administration (TSA). possible by national intelligence agency sources. The Michigan HIDTA attempts to State/Locah Michigan State Police, Detroit fuse this data into a consolidated targeting Police Department, Eastern Michigan picture that will enable investigative and Sheriffs, Western Michigan Sheriffs, Eastern enforcement agencies and task forces to Michigan Chiefs of Police, Western prioritize their collective efforts on those Michigan Chiefs of Police, Michigan activities that give the greatest outcomes. Prosecutor Representative. This central inforrnation/intelligence collection point facilitates cross-case Other: Michigan Attorney General, analysis, prevents duplication, and insures Metropolitan Organizing Strategies the Executive Board has sufficient Enabling Strength (MOSES) Community information to establish priorities for the Groups, Michigan National Guard, approved initiatives. Michigan Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) and Wayne County Prosecutor. Tile goals of the Investigative Support and Many other federal and local agencies Deconfliction Center are to provide participate within HIDTA Task responsive deconfliction, pointer index, case Forces/Initiatives. In CY 2003, 369 law support, intelligence fusion, target and enforcement personnel were assigned to strategic financial crimes information. HIDTA Task Forces/Initiatives from federal, These services are provided by the state and local agencies. participation and intelligence contribution of participating and non-participating agencies. This support is provided on site in the & n fieant A¢'h&ve.m_znts: center. Each initiative benefits from and contributes to the Investigative Support and In CY 2003 Michigan HIDTA purchased Deconfliction Center by querying and two ABI 310 Genetic Analyzers which updating the information at the center, and resulted in a total of 600 drug-related violent by use of the center to provide deconfliction crime cases completed. with other tactical operations in the region. All Michigan HIDTA operations and Tile Task Forces of the Michigan HIDTA investigations are coordinated with the Initiatives have collectively increased Drug Investigative Support and Deconfliction Seizures by the following: Center. This is accomplished by the mutual ° Heroin +20% agreement of the Executive Board and ° Marijuana Plants +756% respective participating agencies. ° Methamphetanline +404% ° Clandestine Labs +3,200%. P r¢ieipa.ting Agen.eies.: On June 4, 2004, tile Combined Hotel Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Interdiction Team (CHIEF) conducted Firearms (BATF), Drug Enforcement surveillance and executed a search wmvant Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of at a residence in the city of Detroit. Twenty- Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Immigration five kilograms of cocaine, $204,800 in U.S. and Customs Enforcement (BICE), Internal currency, one SKS assault rifle, and one 56 Jennings 9mm Bryco Arms pistol was $40 million worth of BC Bud Marijuana and located during the search of both the MDMA. Thi~y-one persons were arrested residence and the garage. Three subjects in Michigan and Windsor, more than $5 who were the target of this investigation million in cash, 850kg of high grade BC were arrested at that time. Bud Marijuana and 3,000 tablets of MDMA were seized. An Immigration and Customs Agent (ICE), assigned to the Michigan HIDTA, Thomas Ontko, was responsible for the location and subsequent apprehension of a Spanish National. The Defendant was convicted of the rape and murder of a 13 year-old British girl while she was on a school trip to France in 1996. The subject was extradited, tried, convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison by a French court. SA Thomas Ontko's excellent efforts brought this international predator to justice. In 2004, US and Canadian authorities successfully concluded an investigation of Vietnamese individuals and their organization ill Canada, Michigan, Massachusetts, MaiTland and Minnesota who were responsible for trafl'icking in over 57 dWeto, , 'g, T !~- V TAi' G e-he=rat' lnfarmat&u: gear af'~eMgt!atiOn~ ~December 1996 ~eograph& ~reas of Respat!sihi!ity: [awa::: Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, Scott, Marshall, Black Hawk, Appanoose, Woodbury, and Linn counties; gansas: Cherokee, Crawford, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Saline, Seward, Barton, Sedgwick, Finney, Shawnee, Miami, Franklin, and Wyandotte counties; Missou.i:" Cape Girardeau, Christian, Clay, Jackson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Ray, Scott, St. Charles, Greene, Benton, Buchanan, Jasper, Texas, Platte, Marion, and St. Louis counties. Nehraska~ Dakota, Dawson, Douglas, Hall, Lancaster, Sarpy, Madison, Dodge, Gage, Jefferson, Platte, and Scott's Bluff counties; Sou.& Dakata~ Clay, Codington, Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Lincoln, Meade, Minnehaha, Pennington, Union, Brown, Brookings, Beadle, and Yankton counties; North Dakata:, Burleigh, Cass, Grand Forks, Morton, Ramsey, Richland, Walsh, and Ward; Contact: (816) 746-4911 MiSs&u S.gate:m,e~& control efforts among federal, state, and local enforcenaent agencies. Central to this The mission of the Midwest HIDTA is to effort is the formation and enhancement of reduce drug availability in critical and enforcement task forces. identified markets by creating and supporting intelligence driven enforcement Th,revt Absgea¢~: task forces aimed at eliminating or reducing domestic drug trafficking and its harmful The outlook for the Midwest HIDTA region consequences through enhancing and can best be described by focusing on two helping to coordinate drug trafficking distinct entities, urban and rural. Densely 58 populated urban areas in the region, not enforcement problem in the Midwest unlike other large cities in the nation, will HIDTA region remains methamphetamine. continue to experience major problems with Law enforcement continues to confront all drugs, especially cocaine. Along with multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine cocaine, other fiequently reported problem being transported into the region by drugs including methamphetamine and Mexican trafficking organizations, and the marijuana continue to be popular in the large production of lesser amounts of high-quality urban cities of St. Louis, Kansas City and methamphetamine in local clandestine Omaha. Heroin will likely remain prevalent laboratories. primarily in St. Louis. MDMA, GHB and Mid~esi HIDTA (6 States) Iowa, Kansas. 5/issouri, Nebraska, Norlh Dakota and South Dakota J J J 5,1X~I / J 4,00:} / J 3,1Xl~l- J J I,(~)- J J F_PIC/CI£S I~ata inchlding glassmwt,, chemicatx and dulnpsllt~. other dangerous drugs known as "club Stra.gegy, Ab~t,ra.~t: drugs" are also consistently present in urban Tile HIDTA Strategy is inlplemented areas. through several components. Each state, The ready availability and extensive demand through designated Advisory Boards of law for cocaine and marijuana will continue to enforcement professionals, has identified be major threats to the entire Midwest threat, and developed enforcement strategies HIDTA region. Arrest, seizure and abuse and investigative initiatives. Tile Midwest statistics confirm that transportation and HIDTA Executive Board, and the Office of distribution of cocaine and marijuana, the Midwest HIDTA Director, coordinates predominantly through Mexican DTOs, the integration and synchronization of all shows no sign of weakening. Wholesale participating agencies' initiatives to ensure a manufacture, transportation and distribution unified regional effort. will continue to be dominated by Mexican The Midwest HIDTA Executive Board is drug trafficking organizations composed of executives from twelve federal and twelve state or local law enforcement Heroin abuse, although a minor threat in agencies. The Board provides prograinmatic most areas of the region, has been reported oversight, of all 41 initiatives. The in available supply in urban areas. Although initiatives are organized into and support six DTO's operating in this region are poly-drug counter-drug subsystems (Coordination, operations, the overall most significant Intelligence, Investigations, Forensic Lab 59 Enhancement, Prosecution and Demand other law enforcement agencies. The FBI Reduction) each subsystem is integral to the Criminal Intelligence Group is collocated success of the HIDTA. The Midwest within the ISC facility and has expanded its HIDTA Investigative mission is to facilitate mission to provide interface and activity into and assist task forces and other federal, terrorism and Homeland Security. The state, and local enforcement agencies within second initiative supporting the MHISC is the region in identifying, targeting and the DEA St. Louis intelligence Group. This dismantling narcotic distribution and initiative assists in gathering, analyzing, and trafficking organizations or drug evaluating information to the St. Louis DEA manufacturing operations. regional enforcement area. While physically ~e~tigati~e SuppQrt Cen.ter.', located in St. Louis, the initiative is electronically connected via firebird, and The MHISC, co-managed by the Drug HIDTA.net to facilitate exchange of Enforcement Administration, and the information and intelligence products. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department, is initiative primarily focuses on both domestic a multi-agency coalition consisting of and international intelligence support to federal, state, and local agencies located DEA led Midwest HIDTA task forces. The within the six states Midwest HIDTA. initiative also addresses DTO-CPOT Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the intelligence issues in the St. Louis DEA MHISC is electronically linked to task force geographic region. The third integrated locations and key state agencies in each of initiative is the Bureau of ATF Regional the states. The MHISC collects and analyzes Intelligence Group, which is collocated information from all Midwest HIDTA task within the MHISC facility. This group forces and participating task forces and provides intelligence support and assistance agencies. The MHISC provides event and within the Kansas City Division area of subject deconfliction services, multi-source Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. This name checks, investigative case support, toll collocation will enhance the coordination of analysis, charting, graphic work, post intelligence relating to firearms, gun tracing, seizure analysis and trend/predictive domestic terrorism, and violent drug analysis. By improving the exchange of trafficking offenders. Over 640 users at 71 intelligence and information through more different locations have connectivity to the efficient coordination and communications, ISC through the implementation of the MHISC enhances the ability of federal, HIDTA.net. The Midwest HIDTA is a state, and local law enforcement agencies to primary use site for the National Clandestine identify, arrest, and prosecute key members Lab Database, developed by EPIC and the of trafficking organizations and individuals National Virtual Pointer System. involved in the clandestine manufacturing of narcotics. The MHISC coordinates and s~rt~¢!patmg Agenct¢~., utilizes three separate initiatives to enhance and implement the intelligence subsystem. Federal: ATF, DEA, FBI, ICE, IRS, United The first is the FBI CIU/Terrorism Squad 3 States Attorney's Office (Northern and in Kansas City. The CIU consists of Southern District of Iowa, District of representatives from various local, state and Kansas, Western and Eastern Districts of federal agencies within the Kansas City Missouri, District of Nebraska, District of area. The group collects and analyzes North Dakota, and District of South information regarding Drug Trafficking Dakota), USMS, USBP, USFS. Organizations (DTOs) and disseminates this State/Local: Iowa Division of Narcotics information to the MHISC for sharing with Enforcement, Iowa State Fire Marshal's 60 Office, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa National Department, O'Fallon Police Department, Guard, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Platte County Sheriff's Department, Kansas National Guard, Missouri Richmond Police Department, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Missouri Department of Public Safety, Springfield National Guard, Missouri State Highway Police Department, St. Charles Police Patrol, Nebraska State Patrol, South Dakota Department, St. Charles County SherifFs Division of Criminal Investigation, South Department, St. Louis County Sheriff's Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Office, St. Louis County Police Department, National Guard, South Dakota State St. Louis Police Department, Stoddard Attorney's Office, South Dakota Attorney County Sheriff's Department, Trenton General's Office, North Dakota Bureau of Police Department, Wentzville Police Criminal Investigation (ND). Department. Iowa: Altoona Police Department, Ankeny Nebraska: Adams County Sheriff's Office, Police Department, Davenport Police Douglas Cotinty Sheriff's Office, Grand Department, Des Moines Police Department, Island Police Department, Lincoln Police Eldora Police Department, Grundy County Department, Nebraska Police Department, SherifFs Department, Hardin County Scottsbluff Sheriffs Office, Gering Police SherifFs Department, Iowa Falls Police Department, Scottsbluff Police Department, Department, Marshall County Prosecutor's Fremont Police Department, Dodge Cotinty Office, Marshall County Sheriff's Sheriff Depamnent, Hooper/Scribner Police Department, Marshalltown Police Department, Blair Police Department, Butt Department, Muscatine Police Department, County Sheriff Department. Muscatine County Sheriff's Office, North Dakota: Minor Police Departnaent, Plymouth County SherifFs Department, Ward Cotlnty Sheriff, Grand Forks Police Polk County SherifFs Office, Sioux City Department, Grand Forks County Sheriff, Police Department, South Sioux City Police Walsh County Sheriff, Fargo Police Department, Tama Police Department, Tama Department, Cass Cotinty Sheriff: Cotinty SherifFs Department, Woodbury South Dakota: Lawrence County SherifFs County SherifFs Office. Department, Meade County Sheriff's Kansas: Bonnet Springs Police Department, Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Crawford County SherifFs Office, Finney Department, Minnehaha County State County SherifFs Office, Garden City Police Attorney's Office, Pennington County Department, Johnson County SherifFs SherifFs Office, Pennington County Office, Kansas City Police Department, Attorney's Office, Sioux Falls Police Leavenworth Police Depaitment, Olathe Department. Police Department, Overland Park Police Other: Lincoln/Lancaster Task Force (NE), Department, Pittsburg Police Department. Tri-City Task Force (NE), Tri-State Task Missouri: Buchanan County SherifFs Force (NE), Metro Task Force (NE), North Office, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Central Task Force (MO), Southeast Carroll County SherifFs Department, Missouri Task Force (MO), St. Charles Drug Christian County Sheriff's Office, Dunklin Task Force (MO), Jackson Co. Drug Task Police Department, Dysart Police Force (MO), Lincoln Co. Drug Task Force Department, Franklin Cotinty Sheriff's (SD), Parmership for a Drug Free America, Department, Grandview Police Department, Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa, Omaha Green County Sheriff's Office, Community, Partnership Toward a Drug Independence Police Department, Jefferson Free Nebraska, Partnership for a Drug Free County Sherit'ffs Department, Kansas City Missouri, South Dakota Plus, Drug Abuse Police Department, Lake St. Louis Police Resistance Education in Nebraska, Drug 61 Abuse Resistance Education in South national connectivity plan, Dakota, Drug Abuse Resistance Education riss.net/hidta.net/LEO. in Missouri, Drug Abuse Resistance Education in Iowa, Drug Abuse Resistance The Midwest HIDTA's strategy, Education in Kansas, Drug Abuse coordinating the efforts of federal, state, and Resistance Education of America local enforcement agencies, strives to develop and institutionalize a region-wide intelligence sharing network and also provides resources to enhance law The Midwest HIDTA through the Office of enforcement, forensic laboratory the Director continues to lead efforts to capabilities, and prosecution efforts implement the ONDCP HIDTA connectivity throughout the region. The participating and intelligence-sharing project. The agencies in the six state area enjoy a spirit of establishment of a Wide Area Network cooperation and sense of unity that is between HIDTA's, with ONDCP National essential in achieving the goals and HIDTA Program Office, and with National objectives of the Midwest HIDTA. data centers, such as HIDTA Assistance Center, EPIC, and NDIC, is a priority project to implement the General Counterdrug Intelligence Plan, and fulfill the mission of the National and the Midwest HIDTA Program. The use of riss.net to build HIDTA.net and existing technology makes it possible to accomplish connecting different HIDTA's together. Midwest HIDTA is a NODE on this secure Virtual Private Network system, and continues to develop and host intelligence resources for HIDTA agencies and task forces. In addition, a suspect pointer system for HIDTA taskforces called SafetyNet was further expanded. Over 640 users at 71 enforcement locations were connected via the HIDTA.net intranet system. The Midwest H1DTA continues to interact with other HIDTA regions in areas involving best practices and information sharing. The Midwest HIDTA is an active participant in the development and full implementation of the EPIC National Clan Lab Database (CLSS), and the National Virtual Pointer System. Midwest HIDTA is also assisting state agencies in developing and initiating systematic information and intelligence sharing utilizing the common 62 nfarmatiam': g~ae of ~esig~t<:, 1998 ~¢ogfap!t!e decors ofRe~spa~sib, ilityz~ Wise:a~i~; Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Waukesha Counties Wisconsin (414) 220-4740 In support of the National Drug Control Strategy, Goal 2, Objective2--[to] "improve the ability of the High Intensity Drug \ io . o,oo Trafficking Area's (H1DTA's) to counter ..... 1 drug trafficking" the mission of the Milwaukee HIDTA is to apply enhanced intelligence processes, a high level of enforcement coordination, and prosecution to substantially and measurably reduce organized drug distribution, drug related violent crime, and money laundering, and to reduce the demand for illegal drugs within the Milwaukee HIDTA. The Milwaukee The Milwaukee HIDTA Region HIDTA is also committed to stem the encompasses tile four counties of distribution of illegal drugs through the Southeastern Wisconsin to include Milwaukee HIDTA to communities and Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha in addition rural areas throughout Wisconsin and to Milwaukee. The two interstate corridors beyond. These initiatives are complimented of 1-94 and !-43 constitute the primary route by a coordinated effort to include demand for drugs to move into and out of the region. reduction initiatives, which are youth focused and designed to improve the quality Illegal drugs remain readily available and of life and restore neighborhood control to abused throughout tile Milwaukee HIDTA the cit:izens of the Milwaukee HIDTA. Region. Powdered cocaine and crack are significant drug threats in the Milwaukee 63 HIDTA Region, particularly in the City of heroin is conducted by criminal groups, Milwaukee. HIDTA initiatives report that street gangs and independent dealers. cocaine and crack remain a significant drug threat in the region (first in Milwaukee and More marijuana is seized than all other second to marijuana in the three remaining drugs combined. It is the most widely counties of Kenosha, Racine and available and most commonly abused drug Waukesha). in the Milwaukee HIDTA region. Most marijuana available in the HIDTA region is Mexican, Dominican and Nigerian drug produced in Mexico and transported by trafficking organizations are the primary Mexican drug trafficking organizations. transporters of drugs from foreign countries Mexican drug trafficking organizations are and cities in the United States. Chicago is also the principal wholesale distributors of the primary source of drugs abused in the marijuana, while criminal groups, street Milwaukee HIDTA region. Crack is the gangs and local independent distributors sell drug most often linked to violent crime in marijuana at the retail level. Anecdotal the city of Milwaukee, while marijuana is evidence suggests that BC Bud, a type of frequently linked to violence in other areas marijuana with increased potency, is of the Milwaukee HIDTA region. Law available in limited quantities in the northern enforcement agencies are seizing increasing areas of the Milwaukee HIDTA Region. amounts of cocaine. Cocaine is related to MDMA and other club drugs are popular in more deaths than any other drug and nearly the Milwaukee HIDTA region, particularly half of those individuals admitted for among teenagers and young adults. substance abuse treatment are cocaine Independent dealers transport MDMA into abusers. Mexican drug trafficking the area, primarily from Chicago. On organizations are the primary transporters occasion, limited quantities of the drug are and wholesale distributors, while street brought from Miami, New York City, gangs and criminal groups are the primary Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. retail distributors of powdered cocaine and crack. Powdered cocaine and crack prices Other dangerous drugs (ODD), like LSD have remained stable during the last year and including diverted pharmaceuticals, indicating that the drug is readily available. such as: Oxycontin, Vicadin and Percocet are abused by a small number of individuals Heroin prices have decreased while purity in the Milwaukee HIDTA region. has increased indicating ready availability in Pharmaceuticals are generally diverted for the Milwaukee HIDTA region. Southeast abuse within the region. Asian and Southwest Asian heroin are most common in the northern portion of the There are several drug trafficking Milwaukee HIDTA region, while South organizations operating within the American heroin is most common on the Milwaukee HIDTA region. Mexican drug city's south side. Nigerian drug trafficking trafficking organizations with connections to organizations are the primary sources of Mexico, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Southeast Asian and Southwest Asian heroin Southwest Border states supply most of the originating from Chicago, Illinois. cocaine and marijuana in Southeast Dominican drug trafficking organizations Wisconsin. Dominican criminal groups are the dominant wholesale distributors of transport most of the South American heroin South American heroin. The South available in the region, while Nigerian American heroin is coming from New York, DTOs are the primary distributors of New York. Most retail distribution of Southeast Asian and Southwest Asian heroin 64 in the Milwaukee HIDTA region. African agencies. This task force is managed by the American street gangs are the dominant Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. poly-drug retail distributors in the northern The HITS Center has a primary function of portion of the Milwaukee HIDTA region, gathering, analyzing and disseminating while Hispanic gangs are the primary poly- strategic intelligence regarding drug drug retail distributors in the southern traffickers and gang organizations. The portion of the region. HITS Center also identifies drug trafficking organizations, assists in the development of Law Enforcement Agencies located in the threat assessments and priority setting; and Milwaukee HIDTA region have reported the assists in the coordination of cases and following crime and arrest statistics: investigations by way of a pointer index system and deconfliction. There were 120 homicides, 501 forcible rapes, 3,871 robberies, and 2,812 assaults. All HIDTA initiatives share infonnation and For a violent crime total of 7,304 u,hich are collocated having access to secure amount to 60.2 percent for all violent crime internal electronic communication. Remote .for the state of Wisconsi#h i users can securely connect to the Milwaukee H1DTA network through a virtual private Forty-three percent of total property crimes network (VPN). Currently the HITS Center in the State of Wisconsin occurred in the has achieved 23 out of 26 intelligence and HIDTA regiott, ii information sharing developmental standards as set forth by ONDCP. The HITS Center provides the following: Post Seizure Analysis, Telephone Tolls The Milwaukee HIDTA's initiatives focus Analysis, Link Analysis, Intelligence on disrupting and dismantling local, Profiles, Charts/Graphs, Trend and Pattern regional, and national-level drug and money Analysis, and Analytical Case Support. laundering organizations. The emphasis is Currently the analysts have access to the on violent drug trafficking gangs that are following databases and research software regional DTO's or have connections with tools: Transaction Information for regional, national and/or international Management (TIME); case management DTO's. (contains all HIDTA cases); Pen-Link (phone record infornmtion); World Wide The Milwaukee FIlDTA will coordinate Information; (Locate Plus) drivers licenses eleven initiatives in Fiscal Year 2005. There and motor vehicle registration checks; are four investigative initiatives. There is AutoTrack; Lexuz-Nexus; public source one anti-drug/anti-crime initiative, one database; i-2 Analyst Notebook- charting; interdiction initiative, one prosecutorial RissNet/MOCIC national database for initiative, one training initiative, one suspect pointer index; Wisconsin utilities- management and coordination initiative, and information associated with property one information technology initiative and an owners; Internet-used for general and public investigative support center. searches; and Milwaukee County Sheriff Crimes (on-line booking information). ~nveseig~gtiv~e&eppare Ce tee. Tile Milwaukee I-IIDTA offers regionally, a The HIDTA Intelligence and Technical secure internet based deconfliclion system Support Center, (HITS Center) is a called SAFETNeT (Secure Amomated Fast collocated effort of federal, state, anct local Event Tracking Network) via the Chicago 65 HIDTA. Currently accessible through the Watch Center in the Intelligence Center. In the first nine months of 2004 the The system is utilized by other HIDTA's Milwaukee HIDTA Drug Gang Task Force successfully and presents opportunities for investigated and successfully dismantled a deconfliction throughout the Great Lakes large scale violent drug trafficking Region (Chicago HIDTA, Lake County organization in the Milwaukee HIDTA HIDTA and Michigan HIDTA). region. A complete state-of-the-art Title III The organization was responsible for a large Operation Room is functional and is using a number of violent crimes dating back to Lincoln Server System in conjunction with 1994. There were two identified leaders of Penlink 8 Interceptor software. This the organization. Through various acts of operation is based upon a coalition between intimidation members of this gang were able the Milwaukee HIDTA and the State of to successfully avoid prosecution. Based Wisconsin, Department of Justice, Division upon co-operating defendant's testimony, it of Criminal Investigation (where the server was established that the gang purchased and is located), whereby the costs for operation sold forty (40) to sixty (60) kilograms of are equally shared to benefit the entire state. cocaine, broken down to street level quantities per month. This included a one- aung Aget e es: time shipment of 100 kilograms. Federal: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Using this information, the Drug Gang Task Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Force was able to make successful purchases Bureau of Investigation, United States of cocaine from members of the conspiracy Attorney's Office - Eastern District of group. The investigation progressed and a Wisconsin, Department of Homeland Federal Authorized Title III Wiretap was Security - Immigration and Customs obtained. The case against the organization Enforcement and the Marshal's Service was bolstered by taped telephone conversations which corroborated the State/Local: Wisconsin Department of information provided by the informants and Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation, provided new information. After monitoring and the Wisconsin National Guard, the telephone conversations, a conversation Milwaukee County District Attorney's between one of the leaders and a member of Office, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, the conspiracy was intercepted whereby Milwaukee Police Department, West Allis detailed plans were formulated for the Police Department, Waukesha County murder of one of the identified leaders. This Sheriff's Office, Racine County Sheriff's resulted in the "wire" being shut down Office and the Kenosha County Sheriff's prematurely. Office. A total of twenty-seven (27) search warrants Signifi an A cMe em were secured and executed in the The achievement of true collocated Milwaukee, WI and the Chicago, IL areas. environment that includes prevention, Over ninety (90) law enforcement officers enforcement, and prosecution initiatives is a participated. There were twenty-one (21) major milestone, increasing the information persons arrested and federally indicted in flow between task forces and other law this case and 6.829 kilograms of cocaine enforcement agencies. were recovered. 66 As a result of this investigation, twenty- three (23) individuals were indicted on Federal Conspiracy charges and the following assets were seized: $ 1,178,818 in US currency, $22,000 in stocks and bonds, jewelry valued at $600,000, one residence valued at over $300,000, four guns, and eleven vehicles with an approximate value of $125,000. This investigation was a cooperative effort between all of the Milwaukee HIDTA participating agencies, USAO - NIL, DEA - Chicago, and Internal Revenue Service - CID. On the roundup day, the police departments in Romeoville, Illinois, and Oak Forest, Illinois also assisted in the execution of search warrants in their respective cities. As a restllt of this investigation the organization has been completely dismantled. Information supplied by co- operating defendants on four separate homicides conmlitted by nlembers of the organization have been cleared. State of Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance i~ State of Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance 67 Nevada Z4 Generet tnfarm t& : ¥~er, ofBesJgnatian,.': 2001 A(~ada,e Clark County Contaet: (702) 759-8070 Misa State:ment:: 960%. Additional statistics, provided by the SNJMTF, indicates that clandestine labora- The mission of the Nevada HIDTA is to tory investigations have decreased by 50% measurably reduce drug trafficking, thereby from 2001 (2003-127; 2001-254). The pri- reducing the impact of illicit drugs in this mary reason for this reduction is the inclu- and other areas of the country. This mission sion of pseudoephedrine, a precursor to is accomplished through the use of multi- methamphetamine, as a Schedule III Con- agency intelligence driven task .forces de- trolled Substance in the State of Nevada. signed to disrupt and dismantle drug traf- This legislation along with increased law ticking organizations. enforcement operations has not only de- creased the availability, but has significantly Threat Abstr ct: increased the price of case quantities of pseudoephedrine. Methamphetamine continues to be the most significant drug threat in the Nevada (Clark Methamphetamine Labs Seized in Clark County County) HIDTA. Law enforcement has en- countered multi-pound quantities of Mexi- Methamphetamine labs and dumpsites seized in Clark County can manufactured methamphetamine and 1998-2003 'Ice', which is distinguished by its high pu- 400 j~-~- ..- ...... Sd~ ...... i rity levels (95-98%), and higher price. Al- though 'Ice' is not considered to be preva- a°°l I 1 : ~ =sa j lent, distribution is on the rise. Statistics provided by the Southern Nevada Joint Methamphetamine Task Force (SNJMTH) 0Oo0tli I ...... show an alarming increase in the amount of o methamphetamine seized within the 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 HIDTA. In CY02, there were approximately 3,673 grams seized. In CY03, seizures to- Marijuana continues to be the drug of choice taled 33,895 grams, an increase in over in the Nevada HIDTA. The primary source for marijuana smuggled into the HIDTA is 68 Mexican poly-drug trafficking organiza- main pharmaceuticals being diverted, ille- tions; however, it is also cultivated locally gally distributed, and abused in the Nevada via hydroponic production. Additionally, HIDTA. law enforcement has encountered Canadian "BC Bud" in limited instances. In CY02, the number of prescriptions filled (2.7 million) exceeded the state's popula- Cocaine remains extremely popular and tion. In CY03, 8,395 patients in Nevada readily available specifically among the im- were considered exceeding the drug thresh- poverished communities such as housing old established by the Board of Pharmacy. projects located in the Clark County area. According to the DEA, Nevada was above The majority of this cocaine is produced average in Oxycontin distribution front outside of the HlDTA and transported pri- January 2002-December 2003. During this marily from southern California and Ari- period, Nevada's ranking for Oxycontin dis- zona. In CY03, the Clark County Coroner's tribution rose from number 3 to 2 in a na- office reported that the highest death rate tional ranking of all states for Oxycontin among users of illicit drags was cocaine. distribution. In CY03, the Clark County There were 38 deaths as a result of the spe- Coroner's Office reported receiving ap- cific use of cocaine, and 69 deaths attributed proximately 185 multiple pharmaceutical to the ingestion of cocaine and other drugs. drug overdose cases. The club scene in the Nevada HIDTA is a lit identifying 55 DTO's during CY03, Ne- haven for illegal drug traffickers of chib vada HIDTA initiatives continue to recog- drugs (MDMA, LSD, PCP, GHB/GBL, Ro- nize that Mexican drug trafficking organiza- hypnol, Ketamine and analog drugs). These tions (DTO's) are responsible for supplying drugs are trafficked and abused in local the majority of available Marijuana, nightclubs, adult entertainment clubs and at Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Heroin raves. Production of club drugs does not oc- into the region. cur within the HIDTA, and the majority of these drugs are supplied by international Stra.ge#y, _A/,s~tr~et:. trafficking organizations. The Clark County Coroner's Office reported that in CY03, A Nevada H1DTA Executive Board, com- there were a total of 3 deaths flom the use of prised of the chief executive officer of seven MDMA. The Southern Nevada Club Drug federal and six state and local law enforce- Task Force provided statistics for CY03 in- ment agencies in Clark County, ensures a dicating there were approximately 67,000- system that redtlces drug trafficking, elimi- 168,000 dosage units of MDMA seized nates duplication of effort and systemati- within the Clark County area. cally improves the sharing of drug intelli- gence. One hundred nineteen representatives The Diversion of pharmaceutical drugs is on fiom thirteen federal, state and local law en- the rise. Prescription fiaud, "doctor shop- forcement agencies are full time participants ping," illegal sales by pharnlacists, and in- in NV FIIDTA initiatives. discriminate prescribing by practitioners all contribute to the diversion threat. Law en- Tile strategy is implemented through seven forcement and the Nevada Controlled Sub- collocated multi agency investigative task stance Task Force Board report thal particu- forces, one collocated multi-agency intelli- larly Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab & gence initiative, one lraining initiative and Norco); Oxycodone (Percodan, Percocet & one management and administrative initia- Oxycontin) and Alprazolam (Xanax) are the tive. The seven task force initiatives target 69 drug trafficking, money laundering, clandes- in 170 (8%) potential event conflicts. Addi- tine drug lab manufacturing, apprehension tionally, the Nevada HIDTA made 2256 of drug fugitives and violent street gang subject/case inquiries, resulting in 776 drug trafficking organizations with the intent (26%) hits. to disrupt/dismantle these organizations through such techniques as undercover pur- The ISC's intelligence role is also to provide chases, controlled deliveries, pen registers, investigators from all the initiatives with tac- toll analysis and wire intercepts. tical multi-source intelligence on a daily ba- sis as well as with strategic intelligence re- The Investigative Support Center (ISC) and lating to emerging trends in production, dis- the Management and Coordination Initia- tribution and transportation of drugs. tives are collocated in a facility shared with the Las Vegas District Office of the Drug The ISC acts as the primary communication Enforcement Administration. and storage facility for intelligence for all initiatives. It provides access to RISS.NET, The other Nevada HIDTA initiatives include NDPIX, FINCEN, M204, RMIN, TECS and the Interdiction Task Force, the Southern other various federal, state and local data- Nevada Club Drug Task Force (SNCDTF), bases. the Southern Nevada Joint Methampheta- mine Task Force (SNJMTF), the Clark The tactical intelligence function also pro- County Gang Task Force, the Money Laun- vides the initiatives with initial subject and dering and Asset Removal Task Force organization background investigations, and (MLAR), the Major Drug Trafficking Or- is prepared to do net worth investigations, ganizations Task Force (MDTO) and the asset identification and post seizure analysis. Nevada Fugitive Investigative Strike Team (NV FIST). The strategic intelligence function monitors domestic and foreign trends associated with ~e~g~g~g~e_, Supp~r~ Ceuger: narcotics activity. This includes such issues as dominant individuals/organizations, con- The Investigative Support Center (ISC) cealment methods, currency transfers, price, serves as a dual function initiative providing purity and availability. The strategic intelli- both intelligence and tactical support to the gence function conducts an annual narcot- other Nevada HIDTA initiatives. Of critical ics/crime survey based upon statistical in- importance is the deconfliction support that formation provided by relevant agencies in provides 7 day a week, 24 hour a day decon- the HIDTA area of interest. This informa- fliction services via a contract with the Los tion is consolidated to generate the annual Angeles County Regional Criminal Informa- threat assessment for the Executive Boards tion Clearing House (L.A.CLEAR). This review and approval. process ensures the officers and agents from all the initiatives are working in an envi- The ISC also serves as a resource pool of ronment free from other law enforcement personnel to provide assistance in investiga- investigations and with a pointer system tions to all HIDTA initiatives. should these investigations cross over to other initiatives interests. The Nevada Air National Guard RAID de- tachment and the Las Vegas Metropolitan In CY2003, the Nevada HIDTA posted 2270 Police Department Air Support Unit provide critical events with LA Clear which resulted aerial support and surveillance for the Ne- vada HIDTA initiatives. 70 The investigation led to the identification of organizational leadership in Tijuana, Mexico Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and and additional co-conspirators to include Firearms (BATF), Drug Enforcement Ad- distributors, facilitators and couriers. The ministration (DEA), Federal Bureau of In- head of the Las Vegas operation was re- vestigation (FBI), Bureau of Land Manage- sponsible for transporting money and coor- ment (BLM), hnmigration and Customs En- dinating shipments of drugs to other destina- forcement (ICE), Internal Revenue Service tions. ORS), United States Attorneys OfFice, United States Marshals Service (USMS) and Due to the outstanding efforts of the the United States Forest Service. SNJMTF, total seizures include 93.2 pounds of methamphetamine (street value State/local: Clark Cotlnty District Attorney's $4,231,280), 18 arrests and asset seizures Office, Henderson Police Department with an estimated value of $250,000. As the (HPD), Las Vegas Metropolitan Police De- result of large seizures and key arrests, in- partment (LVMPD), Nevada Department of chiding the head of the [,as Vegas operation, Public Safety, Nevada National Guard this organization's method of operation has (NNG), and the North Las Vegas Police De- been significantly disrupted. partment (IN LVPD). Methamphetanline has been identified as the primary drug threat facing tile Nevada HIDTA. In March 2003, the SNJMTF initi- ated an investigation targeting a Mexican methamphetanfine 'ICE' distribution or- ganization. In August 2003, the case devel- oped into a Title III investigation targeting three separate cellular phones, hwestigators soon determined that this large scale drug trafficking organization was importing mul- tiple pound quantities of methanaphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine directly fiom Mex- ico on a weekly basis. The organization util- ized vehicles with sophisticated hidden conapamnents for importing drugs into the United States and exporting drug proceeds back to Mexico. Additional Title III infor- mation showed the Las Vegas based cell of this organization was actively transporting vehicle loads of methamphetamine 'ICE' to Oregon and Nebraska. 71 ,i" / , 7 Y 5 F ,~' _ ;~ ~-NGL4 ,, r-'-L.,~.t ,urE. ~.' e e al' g_%tarmati .:: Fe~a':O~ ~¢~:g~atl_a#, 1999 ~e. ogeop&& a~e~ a~ Re~ po.aa~&dit.y,: M¢~saac!~*e.!tx::~ Suffolk, Essex, Worcester, Plymouth, Hampden, and Middlesex Counties Camz. ee!ie,u.~:; Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven Counties Rl~ade ts!a.o& Providence County ~etm_an.t.¢. Chittenden County Cumberland County N~ H~mpM~ire.=- Hillsborough County George C. Festa - (978) 691-2501 - [email protected] M'iSaNe Sta. emeat; Colombian criminal groups continue to supply the region via the New York "pipeline" and The New England HIDTA, (NEHIDTA) will several secondary distribution cities in reduce drug availability through multi-agency Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. collocated and commingled intelligence- driven drug task forces aimed at eliminating Crack cocaine and powdered cocaine continue or reducing domestic drug trafficking and its to be significant threats to the New England hannful consequences by enhancing and area. These drugs, like heroin, are the two coordinating drug trafficking and financial most commonly encountered threats that are crimes control efforts. facing our region. Throughout New England, the availability of cocaine hydrochloride Th:ee Ab.stra.et: remained stable, while the availability of crack cocaine continues to rise. The greater Boston area has been identified as Ne~ l'-'lllaland I)ru~ Threat-21)(}4 a primary heroin market in the United States based on high levels of abuse, significant 50%. consequences of that abuse, and widespread 40%- distribution. Low prices and high purity % [] lleroin 30%- 20% levels persist with street dosages selling for as OCrack / qocaim, low as $4.00 and purity levels as high as 20% [] Marijuana 95%. I I) % [] Pharmaceulicals 10% 0% 72 Drug Type Infommtion from federal, state and local law drug activity, the quality of life issues such as enforcement agencies have identified violence, corruption and economic depletion hydroponic marijuana readily available in all of US currency are all inherent and latent of the six New England states. In recent threats. years, hydroponic marijuana, either from Canada or indoor grows, had only been St: ategy observed in Northern New England. However, currently hydroponic marijuana can be The strategy for the New England HIDTA is obtained throughout the entire New England to reduce drug availability and its harmful area. consequences focusing on the flow of drugs from New York, Canada and elsewhere into The availability and abuse of diverted New England and enhancing and coordinating pharmaceuticals continue to threaten the New drug trafficking and financial crimes control England states. Specifically, Oxycodone efforts among Federal, state and local law (OxyContin) and MDMA (Ecstasy) pose the enforcement agencies. This is accomplished most significant threat to New England. by collecting, analyzing and disseminating information and intelligence on drug The New England area also faces the United trafficking and money laundering organizations to tile NEHIDTA task forces and other law enforcement agencies. This intelligence is then used by NEHIDTA collocated federal, state and local task forces to initiate intelligence-driven investigations on the major organizations. Representatives fiom over 100 federal, state and local agencies support tile NEHIDTA with the sharing of resources and information / intelligence. In order to reduce the flow of drugs along the pipeline and dismantle the drug trafficking organizations the New England HIDTA has established a total of 15 initiatives throughout New England. The law enforcement executives on the Executive Board and the Director and Staff are tile comnland and control of drug law enforcement and prosecution in New England. This unified approach in the New England rlu~ou~co region enables law enforcement executives CONNECTiCUI" RHODEISLAND flom Federal, state and local agencies to States/Canadian border threat. There is develop a regional threat assessment and availability of all types of illegal drugs in the determine a strategy of attacking tile drug northern border regions of Vermont, New trafficking organizations. Hampshire and Maine. The US/Canadian border is a 4,000-mile stretch that is an increasing threat for drug trafficking and terrorism. Accompanying the ever-increasing 73 gnv estig dve Suppazt Cenger: trafficking organizations operating in New The New England HIDTA's Investigative England. The New England Watch Center Support Center (ISC) is co-managed by the has partnered with the Gulf Coast, Houston, FBI and the Massachusetts State Police. The Atlanta and Mid-West, West Texas and ISC has two operational components; the Appalachia HIDTA's users group to provide Watch Center and the Analytical Services input and utilize an Internet based Event and Section. A DEA Analytical supervisor Target Deconfliction application. The manages the Analytical Section. The ISC is NEH1DTA ISC is linked to and utilizes federal, state and local intelligence databases, made up of investigators from federal, state such as FBI ACS, DEA DRUG X, ICE and local law enforcement agencies. There are TECSII, US Marshal's Service Warrant Federal and civilian intelligence analysts in the Analytical Section. The mission of the ISC Information Management System, MA Board of Probation, MA State Police RAMS, is to proactively collect, evaluate, collate, NESPIN, CT Suspect Pointer Index System, analyze and disseminate detailed and relevant all-source information concerning drug VT Suspect Pointer Index System and the trafficking and money laundering operations. Norfolk County Sheriff's Department. The An integral component governing the success ISC will connect to the National Virtual of the NEHIDTA is the free exchange of Pointer System to enhance information intelligence information among all HIDTA sharing with Federal, state and local law enforcement. The NEHIDTA provides participants and other Federal, state and local agencies throughout the region. The analytical outstanding support to federal, state and local section and watch center provides support to law enforcement agencies. major investigations. These investigations have resulted in 2152 arrests and 277 drug Pargt~patmg- ~g~ne,esg~ trafficking organizations dismantled for 2003. Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Trafficking Organizations Dismantled Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation 2500 i / 2152 Division, JTF-6, United States Attorney' s for 2000 " New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode 1690 [] Arrests Island, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, United 1500 .... i Yil [] DTOs States Coast Guard, United States Marshals / i ! dismantled 1000 " for Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, : i it i .... Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, 500 i 190 277 United States Postal Service, United States Secret Service, Bureau of Immigration and 2002 2003 Customs Enforcement and Naval Investigative Service. The ISC utilizes advanced computer State: Connecticut State Police, Attorney technology to assist in the collection, analysis, General's Office, Connecticut, Connecticut retrieval, and dissemination of all the National Guard, Connecticut Air National collected data. The ISC has a protocol for Guard, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, documenting major criminal conspiracies, Attorney General's Office, Maine, which is utilized to support historical Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts conspiracy prosecutions on significant drug Department of Corrections, Massachusetts 74 Parole Office, Attorney General's Office, Department, Watertown, CT Police Massachusetts, Massachusetts Nadwna,T t',~ Depa~ment, Warwick, RI Police Department, Guard, New Hampshire State Police, New Webster, MA Police Depamnent, Westerly, Hampshire National Guard, New Hampshire RI Police Department, West Haven, CT Police Attorney General's Drug Task Force, Department, Woonsocket, RI Police Attorney General's Office, New Hampshire, Department. Rhode Island State Police, Rhode Island National Guard, Attorney General's Office, Other: State Medical Exarniners; State Rhode Island, Vermont State Police, Vermont Directors of Alcohol and Drag Abuse and National Guard, Attorney General's Office, State/Local Directors of Emergency Medical Rhode Island, Rhode Island Airport Police. Services in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Local: Boston, MA Police Department, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Branford, CT Police Department, Bridgeport, Island, Connecticut POST, Holy Family CT Police Department, Bristol, CT Police Hospital, Methuen, MA. Depamnent, Brockton, MA, Police Departlnent, Burlington, VT, Police Departnaent, Central Falls, RI, Police Department, Cranston, RI Police Department, HID TA of the Fear A ward - The NEH I DTA Derby, CT Police Department, Easton, CT is the proud recipient of the H1DTA of the Police Depamnent, East Haven, CT Police Year Award for 2003. The award was Department, Essex County, MA, District presented to NEI-IIDTA Executive Board Attorney's Office, Essex County, MA men3bers and the Deputy Director, ISC Sherifffs Depamnent, Essex, VT, Police manager and the Director at the National Department, Fairfield, CT, Police Department, HIDTA Conference in Washington, DC. Franfingham, MA Police Department, Winning this award is most gratifying because Hamden, CT Police Depamnent, Hartford, it is a team award and reflects the hard work, CT, Police Department, Lawrence, MA, dedication and cooperative spirit of the law Police Depamnent, Lewiston, ME, Police enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, Departnlent, Lowell, MA Police Department, participating agencies, Executive Board and Lynn, MA Police Department, Manchester, Director and Staff of the NEHIDTA. Many NH Police Department, Methuen, MA, Police thanks to ONDCP for recognizing the Departn3ent, Middletown, RI Police NEHIDTA with this prestigious honor. Department, Nashua, N H Police Department, New Haven, CT, Police Departnaent, New London, CT, Police Department, New Heroin Advisorp Group - The New England Milford, Ct, Police Departinent, Newtown, HIDTA Heroin Advisory Group was tbrmed CT, Police Department, North Andover, MA to address the heroin epidemic in the six New Police Department, Norwalk, CT, Police England states that is caused by the very pure Department, Orange, CT Police Department, and potent heroin that is found throughout the Pawtucket, Ri Police Departlnent, Providence, region. The group consists of medical RI, Police Departnlent, Scarborough, ME, examiners, law enforcenaent officers, Police Department, Seymour, CT Police prosecutors, prevention and education Department, Shelton, CT Police Department, specialists, treatment professionals, Southbridge, MA Police Department, emergency service personnel and doctors. Stamford, CT Police Department, Stratford, The Heroin Advisory Group has established a CT Police Department, Trumball, CT Police regional strategy and action items to deal with Departnaent, Waterford, CT Police 75 the heroin problem in a comprehensive, coordinated manner. New Haven-Fairfield Count F Task Force~Hartford Count g HIDTA Training Initiative - Methuen, MA Transportation Task Force - Middletown, CT - These very successful task forces had over This initiative became operational in June 1000 arrests. The drug trafficking arrests were 2003 and has provided training to 214 for significant amounts of heroin, crack Federal, state and local law enforcement cocaine and cocaine. officers for a total of 3,665 student hours. Providence Countg Transportation Task Investigative Support Center Methuen, Force - Warwick, RI -This task force MA. The NEHIDTA Watch Center, in dismantled a major marijuana trafficking partnership with the Gulf Coast HIDTA, organization linked to a CPOT target. The provided Event Deconfliction services to task force seized $500,000 in assets and the NEHIDTA Task Forces. In six months, the main target received a 10-year prison Watch Center entered 1069 events, sentence. updated/edited 516 events and resolved 238 conflicts. This system will be expanded to support other agencies in the future. Southern New Hampshire Task Force - Concord, NH -This task force initiated 31 Greater Boston HIDTA Task Force - drug investigations, arrested 70 mid to upper Boston, MA In a joint investigation with the level traffickers and seized assets worth over Financial Task Force this task force arrested $1.6 million dollars. the leaders of an entrenched heroin and cocaine DTO. This task force successfully New England HIDTA Financial Task Force dismantled the Latin Kings Street Gang in - Boston, MA - This task force initiated an Lawrence, MA with the arrest of twenty investigation of an automobile dealership in members, including the leadership. Massachusetts that has resulted in the arrest of several drug violators in the Dominican Central Massachusetts Task Force Republic and the seizure of four million dollars in assets. Worcester, MA This task force participated in a multi-jurisdictional OCDETF investigation that resulted in the seizure of 283 kilos of Southwestern Connecticut Task Force- cocaine in Maine. Bridgeport, CT- This task force is investigating significant Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT) and OCDETF New England HID TA Fugitive Task Force - Boston, MA -This task force has arrested 382 cases. In one of these investigations 27 individuals; 24 of these arrests were for organizational members were arrested for the homicides connected to drug violence. distribution of hundred kilogram quantities of cocaine and multiple kilograms of heroin. Rhode Island Task Force - Providence, Rhode Island - initiated 66 investigations Northern Vermont Task Force- Burlington, resulting in 80 arrests. This task force seized VT. This task force identified, penetrated and assets valued at almost $1.5 million. dismantled the largest known heroin distribution organization in the State of 76 Vermont. Southern Maine Task Force - Portland, Maine. This task force targeted the major heroin and cocaine distributors in Cumberland County, Maine. As a result, in CY2003 there was a decrease in heroin -related overdose deaths and decreased availability of controlled substances in that county. 77 ¢ Cetera!' eformatioe: Fear, of~eaig~!atia~- 2001 ~¢ogtaph& Aretts of Respa~ihi!ity.'~ Ftoeid~t'.: Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties. Co.~!~a¢~.': (904) 256-5903 Miss&n Statement: The chart below compares the cocaine and To measurably reduce drug trafficking, crack seizures effected by members of the related money laundering and violent crime NFHIDTA initiatives during CY 2001, CY through a balanced partnership of federal, 2002 CY 2003 and through September 2004. state and local law enforcement leaders The amount of cocaine seized has increased directing intelligence-driven initiatives that 21% during the first three quarters of 2004 are performance-oriented and aimed at over calendar year 2003. This increase may eliminating or reducing drug trafficking and be a result of an increased availability of its harmful consequences in North Florida cocaine in the region. and the United States. Cocaine and Crack Seizures Threat Ab~tra¢~: COCA1NE . The demand, availability and abuse of [] 2001 illegal drugs are ever-present in the North [] 2002 02003 Florida region. Cocaine HC1 and crack [] Sep-04 cocaine remain the most widely used and 0 distributed drugs in the NFHIDTA and pose Cocaine Crack the most significant threat to the region. Seventy percent of the law enforcement A comparison of the cocaine and crack seizures effected agencies that participated in the NFH1DTA by members of the NFHIDTA initiatives. Annual Drug Threat Assessment reported The following chart compares the number of that cocaine HCI and crack cocaine were deaths where cocaine either was the cause of their primary drug threat. death or was found in the decedent in four 78 North Florida districts, according to the DIVERTED PHARMACEUTICALS Florida Medical Examiner's 2001, 2002 and The diversion of pharmaceuticals, 2003 Interim Reports. (Data for 2004 is not particularly OxyContin (oxycodone), available). In 2003, there was a 37% methadone and hydrocodone is an ongoing increase in the number of cocaine related problem. The diversion of pharmaceuticals deaths in North Florida as compared to has emerged as the tertiary drug threat. 2002. S rage Ah tva 't: Cocaine Related Deaths in Each NFHIDTA participating initiative has North Florida its own strategies, requirements and 200T~ 1 missions. The NFHIDTA Executive Board [] 2001 coordinates the integration and 100~ synchronization of efforts to reduce drug [] 2002 trafficking, eliminate unnecessary 50ti [] 2003 duplication of equipment or effort, and 01 promote the sharing of drug intelligence and Deaths targeting information. Cocaine related deaths in North Iqorida as reported by The NFHIDTA Executive Board is tile I:lorida Medical Examiners. comprised of sixteen menabers from federal, state and local agencies. Ill CY 2004, the METHAMPHETAM~NE Executive Board is chaired by Randall Methamphetamme has elnerged as the Bolmaan, DEA Assistant Special Agent in secondary drug threat, as its production and Charge, with Special Agent in Charge Ken availability in the NFHIDTA continue to Tucker, Florida Department of Law increase. Members of the NFHIDTA Enforcement, Jacksonville Office, as the initiatives seized 5.6 kilograms of vice chair. Since the designation of methamphetamine during the first three NFHIDTA in 2001, a large number of quarters of 2004, as compared to 2.4 participating agencies have worked together kilograms during the same period in 2003. to coordinate drug suppression activities. This 133% increase may indicate that there The activities have extended throughout the is an increased availability of the drug in the eight counties within the NFHIDTA and region. According to EPIC's National enhanced the efforts of the U.S. Attorney's Clandestine Laboratory Seizure Systenl Office, Middle District of Florida; four State (CLSS), methalnphetanaine related seizures, Attorney's Offices; nine federal; four state including those of manut~acturing and ten local agencies. Partnerships have equipment, chenlical dumpsites and been established with 107 full-time and 36 laboratories, have steadily increased over the part-time participants in ten current past several years. In addition, the number initiatives. The partnerships formed balance of NFHIDTA counties that are affected by the efforts to attack drug trafficking within methamphetamine production is growing. A the region and across the country at every CLSS report revealed that there were eight level. meth-related seizures in three NFHIDTA counties during the first three quarters of The diversity of the drug trafficking and 2004, as conlpared to nine laboratory money laundering problems in the seizures in only two NFHIDTA counlies NFI-ilDTA require a law enforcenlent during the same period in 2003. approach that includes nlulti-agency 79 intelligence sharing. The unique geography members of criminal organizations by of the area is also addressed in this facilitating a rapid and flee exchange of approach. The collocation of the multi- information through enhanced coordination agency task forces fosters open lines of and communications. The NeFISC communication and provides for a maintains a dedicated NFHIDTA website on coordinated law enforcement effort. The the RISS network. The goals of NeFISC are NFHIDTA is comprised of ten initiatives to produce and provide strategic and that include seven enforcement initiatives, organizational intelligence, enhance two support initiatives and one intelligence infomlation sharing and cooperation, ensure initiative. The intelligence initiative is the officer safety through the use of the NINJAS Northeast Florida Investigative Support event deconfliction system and ensure Center (NeFISC) and the support initiatives operational efficiency and effectiveness for include the adrninistrative and training all participating agencies. components. These initiatives focus on disrupting and dismantling local, regional, In an effort to enhance communication and national and international drug trafficking facilitate information sharing, several and money laundering organizations. It is NeFISC analysts currently utilize the important to note that a strong and ADNETU web share program. In addition, productive relationship exists between the the NeFISC developed and implemented an OCDETF and the NFHIDTA programs in officer alert system via e-mail, which sends North Florida. The standard for the out e-mail notifications to over 1,100 NFHIDTA is the development of OCDETF, officers throughout North Florida alerting CPOT and RPOT designated investigations. them to check the NeFISC web page for The NFHIDTA initiatives are seamlessly active criminal intelligence related to organized into subsystems that focus on a various topics, including officer safety counterdrug emphasis. issues, narcotics information and current crime trends. This has been a very ~n,¢estiga~giv.,e Surpo~r~. Ceuter:- successful notification tool for all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies The Northeast Florida Investigative Support within the region. Center (NeFISC) is collocated with the NFHIDTA administrative component. The In an effort to enhance analytical skills, NeFISC is a multi-agency criminal several NeFISC analysts attended Analyst investigative support center consisting of a Notebook and Link Analysis training to coalition of collocated local, state and refine their skills and prepare them to assist federal law enforcement agencies. The with complex cases, i.e. in-depth money NeFISC is staffed by representatives from laundering analysis. In addition, several the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Coast NeFISC analysts are undergoing financial Guard, the Florida Department of Law fraud training in pursuit of a Certified Fraud Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida National Examiner certification to better support Guard, Clay County Sheriff's Office, St. financial investigations. In an effort to offer Johns County Sheriff's Office and the enhanced quality training, several analysts Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The NeFISC have taken the two-week Instructor currently supports a 13 county area that Techniques course in pursuit of a state includes the eight counties, which make up certification, which will also offer increased the NFH1DTA. The NeFISC was designed credibility to the NeFISC analysts who to assist law enforcement agencies to routinely conduct outreach training. identify, target, arrest and prosecute key 80 In addition to the above, NeFISC analysts Sig iJ& t Ac!u . emems: also assist in active case analysis, post seizure and post arrest analysis, telephone The NFHIDTA initiatives have made toll analysis, trial preparation and outstanding achievements in disrupting and counterdrug training. In addition to tactical dismantling drug trafficking organizations case support, NeFISC analysts perform that have been identified in the region. Their strategic analysis, to include researching combined efforts have led to successfully current economic, drug and violent crimes disrupting 19 and dismantling 12 of the 31 affecting the region and in-depth threat identified drug trafficking organizations assessments. NeFISC analysts publish the YTD 2004 in the NFHIDTA. Thirteen Annual NFHIDTA Drug Threat Assessment, newly identified DTOs are currently being along with a Semi-Annual Drug Threat targeted. Assessment and a minimum of two additional drug threat assessments on One of the most recent notable long-term specific drug trends affecting the region. investigations, "Operation Up in Smoke" was a joint effort by nlembers of Fa.,,geegpa.ggng AJgen ;ges.: NFHIDTA's Prescription and Designer Drug Squad and North Florida HIDTA Task Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Force, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Firearms; Drug Enforcement Administration, the lntenaal Revenue Administration; Federal Bureau of Service and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Investigation; Intenml Revenue Service; Office. This multi-agency, multi-initiative Bureau of Immigration and Customs investigation was designated as an RPOT Enforcement; Naval Criminal Investigative and an OCDETF. On March 31, 2004, this Service; U.S. Marshals Service; US yearlong investigation culminated in the Attorney's Office; U.S. Coast Guard and arrest of 20 individuals and the seizure of U.S. Coast Guard. nearly $130,000 U.S. currency, 23 kilograms of marijuana, a Rolex watch, 16 State/Local: Baker County Sheriff's vehicles, 18 guns, two RF detectors, several Office; Baldwin Police Department; Clay computers, various drug packaging County Sheriff's Office; Flagler Cotinty equipment and multiple spin-off cases that Sheriff's Office; Florida Department of Law are cunently under investigation. The Enforcenlent; Florida Highway Patrol; arrested individuals were members of a Florida National Guard; State Attorney's marijuana/MDMA trafficking and money Office; Jacksonville Beach Police laundering Asian organization primarily Departnaent; Jacksonville International based in the Jacksonville, Florida area. Airport Police; Jacksonville Sheriff's Office; During the past three years, this organization Ocala Police Department; Marion County was responsible for the distribution of Sheriff's Office; Palatka Police Department; thousands of pounds of high quality St. Augustine Police Department; St. ,lohns Canadian marijuana and thousands of tablets County Sheriff's Office; Fernandina Beach of MDMA throughout North Florida. The Police Department; Nassau County Sheriff's head of the .lacksonville cell brokered the Office; and Ocala Police Department. importation of BC Bud and MDMA fiom his Canadian suppliers into the U.S. and then distributed the drugs to his two upper level distributors. His "second-in-command" was not only a distributor, but also stepped in while the group's leader was out of the 81 country. By compartmentalizing each aspect dollars in marijuana proceeds were delivered (importation, transportation, distribution, to the Canadian sources of supply. Unknown communication) of his group, the leader to the head of the Jacksonville group, a limited the risk of being compromised by portion of the MDMA distributed by his other members. Infiltration by outsiders was "second-in-command" originated from a nearly impossible due to the close-knit Vietnamese in Pennsylvania. Both the leader nature of this Asian organization. A Title III of the group and his "second-in-command" was initiated in December 2003, which wire transferred large amounts of money to resulted in the documentation of numerous Vietnam and invested it in real estate and pertinent telephone calls made between the businesses. "Operation Up in Smoke" was Jacksonville broker/leader and his co- part of a larger, international investigation conspirators. Conversations among known as "Operation Candy Box." confidential sources and the targets of this investigation revealed that millions of U.S. 82 F ' '~ SC F F c 7 ~_ v~j~c~,.~ _.~;742J4;~ ~ 4~_ .~ ,OX~:THLrt:a-~, ~eueral' ~.nfo~rmatiaa:: Fear of~esigt~t&~: 1998 ~¢ograph& Area af Respo,t!aihi!itw" Te.~ts., Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufinan, Lubbock, Navarro, Parker, Rockwall, Smith and Tarrant Counties. @Ma!iama:, Cleveland, Comanche, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Oklahoma, and Tulsa Counties. CO.nta~:t:: (972) 915-9500 unique geographical location contributes to its role as a major transshipnlent supplier of The mission of the North Texas HIDTA is to precursor chenlicals for tile manufacture of reduce the availability of illicit drugs and methamphetanline. Tile international air and drug related violence by creating land transportation corridors fflrther intelligence driven task forces aimed at facilitate the movement of illicit drugs attacking, dismantling, and destroying drug through the North Texas HIDTA region. trafficking organizations operating in this Drug trafficking groups primarily transport region and impacting other areas of the their product into and through northern country. Texas and Oklalloma using Interstates 20, 30, 35, and 45. Interstates 35 and 40 T~rea~ ~h<~eract: provide north/south and east/west passage The North Texas HIDTA is a national through Oklahoma. This collective highway transshipment and distribution region for system effectively provides ready access to drugs arriving flom Mexico, destined for and from the Texas/Mexico border and into northern Texas and Oklahoma as well as and through the North Texas H I DTA region. other areas within the United States. Drug The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport traffickers use tile North Texas HIDTA is one of the busiest in the world, affording region for the transport, storage, and traffickers a major transshipment t~qcility for distribution of illicit drugs, exploiting its drug cargo arriving internationally as well as transportation inflastructure to facilitate the for couriers transporting shipments to other movement of illicit drugs. Numerous cities throughout the United States. interstate highways and roadways that Traffickers also take advantage of the vast support a high volmne of traffic transect and growing population of the Dallas/Fori Oklalloma as well as Texas. Oklahoma's Worth region, one of the largest and most 83 ethnically diverse metropolitan areas in the popularity, and its general misperception as nation. a "harmless" drug. It is the drug of choice for many adults and adolescents alike. In Methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and addition to the abundant supply of foreign marijuana all pose serious drug threats to the grown marijuana, domestically cultivated North Texas HIDTA region. However, the cannabis is available as well. growing and continuing abuse, availability, production, and trafficking of Money resulting from drug trafficking is methamphetamine constitutes the greatest often smuggled in bulk shipments to Mexico concern in the area. Seizures of small-scale via tractor-trailer, privately owned vehicles, clandestine laboratories are increasingly parcel delivery services and couriers. Other common, particularly in rural locations methods preferred by money launderers throughout northern Texas and Oklahoma. include the use of seemingly legitimate Increased availability, addiction potential, businesses and wire transfers. and health hazards, coupled with the associated violence and dangers of Str~teg~ Abstract:, methamphetamine production and costly The strategy of the North Texas HIDTA is cleanup operations associated with to accomplish its mission of reducing the clandestine laboratory residue, make this availability of illicit drugs and drug related substance particularly harmful. violence, through the following elements: Cocaine, both powder and crack, are readily 1) Wide participation by federal, state and available and continue to be a primary drug local law enforcement agencies in all North threat. As with the other major drugs, the Texas HIDTA initiatives - during FY-2004 Dallas/Fort Worth area is considered a law enforcement agencies will contribute wholesale distribution and transshipment approximately 162 personnel to the North center for cocaine. Abundant supply, high Texas HIDTA region for assignments on purity and stable prices contribute to the investigative and intelligence initiatives. persistent availability and abuse of this drug. Most of the cocaine produced in Colombia 2) The operation of a well managed HIDTA is transported through Mexico and into the program, led by an Executive Board, and United States and is distributed primarily by implemented by the HIDTA Director and Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations. staff, to provide support for each initiative to Widespread availability and a growing accomplish their identified goals, which will potential market of young users make heroin thereby accomplish the mission of the North a serious threat to the North Texas HIDTA Texas HIDTA and Office of National Drug region. Mexican black tar is the most Control Policy. commonly encountered type of heroin, followed by Mexican brown heroin. The 3) The collocation and commingling of the Dallas/Fort Worth area of the North Texas majority of the task forces along with the HIDTA region serves as a transshipment Regional Intelligence Support Center within point from sources south of the border in a central operations facility. Oklahoma task Mexico, as well as a consumer base for both forces are collocated in three locations; two of these substances. in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa. Marijuana is the most commonly abused and 4) The operation of a Regional Intelligence trafficked drug in the North Texas HIDTA Support Center and Oklahoma Intelligence region. The omnipresent threat of marijuana Center to provide threat assessment, lies primarily in its widespread availability, deconfliction coordination, and full 84 intelligence support to the North Texas conjunction with the RISC and provide HIDTA initiatives, as well as all law similar services to their respective regions. enforcement in the North Texas/Oklahoma region. Favti¢ipating Ageadea,t Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms The Regional Intelligence Support Center Drug Enforcement Administration (RISC), co-managed by DEA and the Dallas Federal Bureau of Investigation Police Department and staffed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement intelligence analysts and officers from a Internal Revenue Service variety of federal, state and local law United States Marshal's Service enforcement agencies. It provides comprehensive case support, database State." checks and deconfliction services. This work Texas Department of Public Safety is completed for HIDTA initiatives, member Texas National Guard agencies and area law enforcement Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics departments. Local: The RISC Watch Center is designed Collin County Sheriff's Office primarily to enhance officer safety by Dallas County District Attorney providing deconfliction of subjects and drug Dallas County Sheriff's Office operations to all law enforcement agencies Denton County SherifFs Office within the region. This center provides over Ellis County Sheriff's Office 4,600 event and subject deconflictions a Gregg County Sheriff's Office year for law enforcement agencies in the Gregg County District Attorney North Texas HIDTA region. Harrison County District Attorney Navarro County Sheriff's Office RISC Tactical/Case Support staff also Smith County Sheriff's Office directly supports the North Texas HIDTA Smith County District Attorney investigative initiatives by identifying major TaiTant County Sheriff's Office drug trafficking organizations and providing Tulsa County Sheriff's Office analysis of the patterns and trends of these Arlington Police Depamnent organizations. Last year 491 intelligence Broken Anow Police Department profiles were prepared and over 17,900 Coppell Police Department database searches conducted. Dallas Police Department Denton Police Department The RISC provides research for North Texas Fort Worth Police Department HIDTA initiatives, has access to all inajor Garland Police Department law enforcement intelligence systems and Grand Prairie Police Department public information databases, provides Irving Police Department specific case support to the North Texas Jenks Police Department FIIDTA investigative initiatives, and Kilgore Police Department promotes participation by area law Longview Police Department enforcement agencies. The North Texas Marshall Police Department HIDTA RISC also operates intelligence Oklahoma City Police Department subsystems in East Texas (Tyler) and Piano Police Department Oklahoma City. These centers work in Richardson Police Department 85 Tulsa Police Department traffickers and piece the organization Tyler Police Department. together. The North Texas HIDTA Eastern Drug Squad received a 2004 National Award for Outstanding OCDETF ~igu~:iea:~- A'ehiev~emee~s:~, Investigation "'Operation Fifth Wheel". The group also received one of the 2003 North Texas HIDTA Eastern Drug Squad International Narcotic Officers Association initiated a crack cocaine case in July 2002, Special Agency Awards (DEA) in 2003. targeting several subjects who were selling The same year, "Operation Fifth Wheel" kilo quantities of crack cocaine in the Dallas was further recognized as one of the and Ellis County area of north Texas. Regional OCDETF Cases of the Year During the investigation, it was determined Award. Glenn Schneider, DEA Group that members of this drug trafficking Supervisor for the North Texas H1DTA enterprise were distributing cocaine and Eastern Drug Squad, received recognition marijuana in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi for Outstanding Group Supervisor of the and Ohio, and had direct ties to Mexican Year and Ellis County Sheriff's Officer Brad drug trafficking organizations. Members of Norman was awarded the Northern Region the investigative team included Task Force Officer of the Year at the Texas Narcotics Officers Tommy Hale, Brad Norman, and Officers Association (TNOA) conference in the late Tom Pease. Primary DEA Fort Worth, Texas, on September 1, 2004. participants were Special Agent Don York and Intelligence Analyst Lynn Beshears, all working with Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Guess. Significant traffickers involved the importation of hundreds of kilos of cocaine from Mexico into the United States were identified as well as their extensive network of stash houses in Dallas. The organization was also involved in the smuggling of fully automatic firearms from the United States into Mexico as well as the movement of millions of dollars in drug proceeds. This investigation, dubbed "Operation Fifth Wheel", led to the identification and indictment of a Mexican Source of Supply and ultimately culminated in the indictment and arrest of 25 subjects in Texas and Oklahoma in June and July 2003. Seizures included several vehicles, numerous firearms (including fully automatic machine guns), over 160 kilos of cocaine, and approximately $2.8 million in cash. The investigative team, led by DEA Group Supervisor Glenn Schneider, worked virtually a 24-hour a day, seven-day-a-week routine to further identify significant 86 Ceuerat lufarmatia~ 200A'; g~ar o¢:Des~t,atiau~ 1997 ~eogl:aphie A,eas of Resp,an:sihili'(~'~, Cq!ifo.~li~l'~" Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma counties. C.at!tx~¢t.'. (415) 436-8530 The mission of the Northern California economic, demographic, and geographic HIDTA (NC HIDTA), in support of the factors, including a large population base National Drug Control Policy, is to (approximately 7 million people), major measurably reduce the impact of regional national and international transportation drug production, trafficking and distribution centers, and economic disparity. The region of illicit drugs and drug-related violence in is a center for international banking and ten San Francisco Bay Area counties. This finance, and hosts large national and mission is focused through initiatives international businesses. The NC HIDTA specializing in intelligence, investigation, region includes three major cities, over 100 interdiction, prosecution and demand slnaller cities and eight Indian reservations. reduction. When appropriate, the Executive San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose each Board may direct responses to other threats have international airports and other major in support of the National Drug Control transportation facilities. The NC HIDTA Policy. region has 300 miles of coastal shoreline and includes three international ports and 7hr, eq~ Abstra¢¢.': numerous private harbors. The Port of Oakland's cargo volulne makes it the fourth The ten counties composing the San busiest container port in the United States. Francisco Bay region continue to be primary Almost 60% of the Port's trade is with Asia. manufacturing, trans-shipment, distribution, Interstate freeways bring nlillions of cars and consumption areas for illegal drugs. and trucks transiting from Mexico, Canada, This can be attributed to a number of and other states. Law enforcement is provided to the area by over 100 local and 87 State law enforcement agencies and 15 The NC HIDTA region is home to Federal agencies. individuals who are connected to methamphetamine production in our area Specific aspects of the threat in this region and the California Central Valley. Mexican include: National Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) serve as the primary manufacturing Methamphetamine has been growing in and distribution groups. popularity across the nation in recent years. California has been identified as the source Although methanlphetanline can be region for the highest volume of consumed in a variety of ways, smoking is domestically produced methamphetamine. the most common method of ingestion in From here, finished product is moved across this region for both crystal (ice) and powder the nation. Statewide, between January and methamphetamine. The primary sources for early September 2004, California agencies both forms of methamphetamine are seized 37 high-capacity (ten pounds or Mexican National manufacturing DTOs. higher capacity) clandestine laboratories ("clan labs"). Oregon, with the seizure of Area treatment providers report that five, follows California in the number of methamphetamine is the most difficult drug high capacity clan labs seized. While to treat. Methamphetamine abusers are California's over-all clan lab seizures often excitable, displaying varying degrees decreased from 2002 to 2003, the decrease is of agitation and paranoia frequently attributed to the reduced number of small associated with violent behavior. Untreated clan labs operating, while the number of meth addicts are strongly associated with large-capacity clan labs remained stable. identity theft as a means of supportl The consensus among the region's narcotic investigators is that more methamphetamine The full extent of environmental damage is coming directly from Mexico, some of from clandestine methamphetamine which has been converted into the crystal production is unknown. Soil and water form in Mexico. supplies suffer from improper waste disposal. NC HIDTA Lab Seizures The volume of pseudoephedrine (a precursor for the manufacturing of 150 ...... ] methamphetamine) entering the U.S. from loo Canada has been diminished due to the of Labs 50 recent efforts of Canadian and American law enforcement. Taiwan is now becoming a major pseudoephedine source. California law enforcement agencies have seized large 2001 2002 2003 quantities of pseudoephedrine tablets that have been shipped from Taiwan by maritime Intelligence sources report "crystal" appears container to Southern California for use by to have become more popular than powder Mexican national DTOs. methamphetamine throughout the NC HIDTA region. MDMA, GHB, and other so-called "Club Drugs" have been identified as a threat and 88 are readily available in the urban areas of the cannabis cultivation cooperatives and sales NC HIDTA region. These drugs are to purported medically qualified people is a prevalent in the nightclub and rave dance difficult issue, which occasionally brings scenes, and the use of ecstasy resulted in at Federal and local agencies into conflict. least three overdose deaths during 2003. Federal agencies investigating these The interdiction of these club drugs operations for violation of federal law find continues to be a high priority for many law that local agencies are frequently unable to enforcement agencies within the NC assist in these investigations due to HIDTA's ten-county region. Asian crime directives from their local political groups are increasingly involved in the leadership. Despite the complications to production and importation of MDMA. marijuana enforcement, several large Many of these groups are also involved in seizures have been made of multiple identity theft and other fraudulent activities. hundreds, even multiple thousands of growing plants in Northern California. The diversion of prescription drugs is a Indoor grows continue to be a concern, as growing concern in the NC HIDTA region; they are difficult to detect. as reported to NDIC by treatment providers. Oxycontin and related drugs are popular, Gangs and other violent groups conduct even among high-school users. Ritalin much of the area's street distribution of continues to be a concern, especially among methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and young people. marijuana. Violence is strongly associated with the drug business and with Cocaine and heroin continue to be available territorial/respect disputes. Outlaw to the NC HIDTA region's user population motorcycle gangs are also actively involved and are brought into the region primarily by in the drug trade. Some members are found Mexican national smuggling DTOs. Retail to be involved in distribution of drugs or distribution is accomplished by local importation of marijuana from Canada, and trafficking organizations. The region some local distributors have ties to Mexican continues to be a distribution hub, traffickers. Weapon and violent offenses are responsible for the movement of heroin and also part of their criminal involvement. cocaine to adjoining states and the Midwest. One drug treatment provider is reporting a Khat is sometimes shipped into the area recent dramatic increase in the number of flOln Somalia and Yemen. it is not a persons seeking treatment for cocaine significant threat at this time, but is addiction. Most of the heroin and cocaine monitored. Recently, the International Mail imported for trans-shipment is destined for Facility was the site of seizures of dried the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. Khat. Marijuana availability continues to be a S~ra.geg:~,. Ahs~L f. g. a.~&, , threat. Marijuana is imported into the area from Mexico, Canada, and domestic source Tile NC HIDTA area includes the counties areas. Within the area, large commercial of Alameda (including Oakland), Contra marijuana plantations are frequently seized Costa, Lake, Marin, Monterey, San on both private and public lands. The trend Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara (San of Mexican National DTOs controlling these Jose), Santa Cruz and Sonoma. The major operations continues. Medicinal Executive Board is comprised of sixteen 89 local, state and federal law enforcement Hands-on training in the use of tools and leaders from the region. The NC HIDTA analytical methods has been provided Administrative and intelligence Initiatives through on site training at the HIDTA office are located in the San Francisco Federal for five local departments as well. We Building. Fourteen enforcement initiatives anticipate the growth of this program to have received HIDTA funding for 2004, and include federal and National Guard analysts. thirteen will in 2005. These task forces are located throughout the region. They address The BAYNIN Intelligence Group supports the region's primary threats from priority investigations region-wide. methamphetamine, plus cocaine, club drugs, Connections between criminal groups are heroin, violent drug-related groups, and found by bringing analysts and investigators financial crimes (in 2005). together, and by storing investigative data in NC HIDTA databases. This pooling of N e gaeve Surpovt Ceeter intelligence in a central location provides a conduit for developing and passing leads In support of the initiatives, NC HIDTA from one investigator to another. These created a narcotic information network. investigators may be in the local area or in This regional network is called the Bay Area other states. The sharing within and across Narcotics Information Network (BAYNIN). regions benefits the NC HIDTA as well as It provides operational deconfliction through the nationwide drug enforcement effort. the Western States Information Network (WSIN), which is part of the nationwide NC HIDTA BAYNIN also maintains and RISS project. This deconfliction system staffs a wire intercept room containing the enhances officer safety for all enforcement most advanced surveillance equipment groups within the NC HIDTA region, and is available. This facility is available for use co-located with the Los Angeles by any of the NC HIDTA initiatives or Clearinghouse (LA CLEAR). LA CLEAR agencies. Information gathered through the provides operational and target deconfliction use of this technology is shared with the to several HIDTA's in the western states. BAYNIN Intelligence Group for analysis. The analysts of the NC HIDTA Intelligence A regional equipment pool has been Group provide research, intercept support, established by BAYN1N to make high analysis, presentation materials, as well as technology counterdrug equipment available training to drug investigators and other to all agencies within the NC HIDTA. The analysts in our region. This group has pool specializes in equipment that is too brought together multiple state, local and expensive for a single agency to own, but federal agencies through support of high- used frequently on a regional basis. The level OCDETF and CPOT cases. We have equipment pool is accessible 24 hours-per- also supported our communities in day, seven-days-a-week. emergencies such as drug-related violence episodes by helping to locate suspects and The Intelligence Support Center also fugitives. The Intelligence Group, as the provides computer forensic support to NC largest drug enforcement analysis unit in our HIDTA initiatives. Trained technicians are region, has offered training to analysts in available to assist agents with the seizure of many departments. A two-week analyst computers and related equipment and then course (FLEAT) was offered during 2004, later to conduct a forensic analysis of the co-sponsored by DEA and HIDTA. 90 equipment. This capability has been pen registers and wires, collecting numerous extremely useful in several investigations. targets for indictment. Twenty or more subjects have been arrested and/or indicted in 2004. Since the arrests, the homicide rate in Oakland has been lower than the same Bay Area Transportation Initiative and point in 2003. While law enforcement is Club Drug Strike Force: The NC HIDTA unable to scientifically draw a conclusion Transportation Initiative and Club Drug from this, we believe that the removal of Strike Force targeted an international numerous repeatedly violent offenders, on supplier of GBL, who was indicted in June federal charges, has had an impact on the 2004. The supplier was based in Aberdeen, crime in Oakland. Scotland, where GBL is legally distributed. However, it was not legal to sell it to Many targets of the investigation have customers in the U.S. Cooperation between extensive criminal histories for drug the two initiatives and with Scottish trafficking, firearms violations, felonious authorities rnade this effort successful. assault, assault with a deadly weapon, rape, and homicide. Investigation uncovered ties The Club Drug Initiative first targeted a to past crimes of violence, solicitation of primary customer based in the San Francisco murder for hire, and other criminal dealings area. The Transportation Initiative (BAHT, with violent criminal groups. SF Airport Group) was able to develop other leads out of the area, ultimately assisting Additional indictments are possible as the with the opening of investigations in other data is analyzed. Follow-up investigations parts of California, Florida, New Jersey, have been opened, and a connected case Pennsylvania, and other Western States. targeting a Mexican drug supplier has been The BAHT has indicted the supplier and the assisted. primary customer in San Francisco. Each depamnent in this task force brought This supplier provided the basis for roughly its best talent, information, and support. five million dosage units of GHB in a three- This effort is an outstanding exainple of how year period. His removal from commerce local depamnents, state officials and federal should reduce the availability of GHB in agencies can partner tip to make significant several U.S. locations. changes in a community. Oakland Violent Drug Task Force: This initiative began in early 2003, targeting the most violent drug offenders in the Oakland area. These individuals are believed to be part of groups that fight for territory, like gangs, but have little to no formal structure. Oakland suffered fiom a very high homicide rate in 2003 (UCR listings show 109 murders for a population of 407,003). The Task Force hoped to have an impact on violence in Oakland. The investigation ultimately monitored several 91 ~V11SHlNG~f OW General' #uformation: Ve~ar~,ofOe.sigooO;On~ ~ 1997 ~eogra~hi¢, A~reos of Re.spo~,sihi!i~.': Wesli, ingtou,: Benton, Clark, Cowlitz, Franklin, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties COntact:: Director Dave Rodriguez, telephone (206) 352-3600 Missiae Seq ement: of over 6 million is primarily concentrated in the west with most of the state's industry, The Northwest HIDTA mission is to whereas the eastern half is primarily measurably reduce large scale importation agricultural. and local drug trafficking by intercepting shipments, disrupting local manufacturing Land Threat- Washington's highway and trafficking operations, and to reduce system, specifically the I-5 corridor, remains demand by supporting treatment and the most commonly used drug smuggling effective demand reduction programs. The route into and through the region. The Northwest HIDTA focuses on high-value National Forests and National Parks are trafficking targets and financial another commonly used route for the infrastructure. movement of drugs and money. At the U.S.- Canada border, high potency marijuana or "BC Bud" travels south, while cocaine and illicit proceeds are smuggled north to The Northwest HIDTA encompasses 14 Canada. It is estimated that 75 to 85 percent counties extending south from the U.S.- of the BC Bud grown in British Columbia is Canada border, through the State Capital in exported to the U.S. Statistics suggest the Olympia to the Washington-Oregon border. BC Bud has become one of the largest It also extends east through the Yakima industries in Canada, with annual production Valley to the Washington-Idaho border east valued at $6 billion (U.S.). The retail price of Spokane. Washington State's population of BC Bud crops is significantly higher in 92 the United States. In Vancouver, British States without being inspected, has made the Columbia, BC Bud marijuana sells for state vulnerable to the use of maritime routes to transport drugs. Marijuana Seizures Sourr== • I~n ~ ¢~ Air Threat - Washington State has 7 international airports, 138 public-landing sites, 100 heliports, and numerous private- landing sites. Smugglers in the movement of illicit cargoes via air transportation have increasingly exploited the "Open Skies Agreement" between the United States and Canada. There has also been an increase in 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 the number of "air-drops" of contraband into Washington's National Forests and National $1,500 to $2,000 per pound, compared to Parks. $3,000 per pound in Washington and $6,000 in California. Washington State is a primary Domestic Threat- Washington was ranked staging area for the smuggling of BC Bud sixth in 2003 in methamphetamine lab into other states as far as Florida. Federal seizures, down from a rank of third in 2001 statistics indicate a dramatic increase in and 2002. There is a trend in precursors marijuana seizures in Washington State being imported and smuggled into the state between 1999 and 2004, further illustrating versus being obtained locally. This suggests this trend. Seizures of MDMA (Ecstasy) and that new laws, enforcement, and public methamphetamine precursors fiom Canada awareness nleasures are having effects in appear to be increasing. Mexican controlled naethamphetamine production and precursor drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) use accessibility. Local production of the highway system to move black tar naethamphetamine appears to be heroin, methanlphetamine, and cocaine to increasingly shifted to areas in the state with the state fiom California and Arizona. Since limited resources to combat this threat. In September 11, 2001, there has been a 2002 and 2003, the munber of marijuana significant increase in security at the border plants eradicated fiom outdoor operations ports of entry (POE). The potential exists for surpassed that of indoor grow operations. land routes between POEs to be used for Indoor marijuana grows also provide a increased drug smuggling. There appears to substantial supply of locally grown high be a shift in smuggling to U.S.-Canada potency cannabis, which rivals BC Bud, for border areas east of the Cascade Mountains state residents. However, outdoor growing to Montana. operations have increased. Maritime Threat - The Puget Sound Intelligence increasingly reflects Mexican contains numerous islands and an extensive DTOs are using the Yakima Valley area as a internal shoreline. The combined ports of transshipment hub for n~ethanlphetamine, Seattle and Tacoma are the second largest cocaine, and black tar heroin to northern load center in the United States with over mid-western states, lllegal proceeds are 3.2 million TEUs, or 20-foot equivalent moved in bulk cash shipnaents and also units (containers), received annually. The through wire remitters and banks. The volume of maritime traffic and numerous primary method Mexican DTOs use to move pleasure craft and fishing boats that travel illegal drag proceeds back to Mexico is wire between British Colurnbia and the United remitter services in the state. 93 S¢: ategy_ Ab stea.et:. . coordinating with the HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC). The IBIT accesses The design and placement of Northwest the Western States Information Network via HIDTA initiatives brings a unique blend of the RISS.net to receive and share law enforcement and prevention programs intelligence information. Border smugglers together to respond to the drug threat in the arrested with lesser drug quantities are Pacific Northwest. They incorporate both charged in Washington State courts if sparse rural and dense urban areas. The prosecution is declined by the United States diverse geographic and demographic Attorney's Office. A HIDTA funded characteristics require that initiatives employ Whatcom County Deputy Prosecutor different strategies to meet the unique needs charges such individuals in state and county of each region. The unitized approach to courts. countering illegal drug use includes five mutually supportive subsystems: The Northwest HIDTA support initiatives Intelligence, Investigation, Interdiction, include those efforts pronloting drug Prosecution, and Support (e.g., Prevention). education, drug courts, and building community coalitions with HIDTA funds. Northwest HIDTA initiatives leverage existing task forces and funding sources to v:esUg ttve S 4ppart. Cente ,,: create even stronger enforcement programs. Although each agency might have their The Northwest HIDTA ISC is comprised of individual drug enforcement strategy, the several components including a Watch HIDTA program unites and combines Center, Analytical Unit, and Administrative resources for greater effectiveness against Unit with a Technical Equipment Program drug law violators. Initiatives stress the and an Information Technology (IT) partnership, sharing, and co-location of component. multi-jurisdictional task forces throughout the HIDTA area. These enforcement groups The Watch Center provides critical event concentrate efforts against the high-value deconfliction services to all law enforcement drug trafficking organizations operating agencies throughout the state for officer within the Northwest HIDTA counties and safety. The Watch Center is a node to the against the four most common drugs of Western States Information Network, which abuse: methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, is a member of the national Regional and marijuana. A Transportation Task Force Information Sharing System. The Watch concentrates on the Seattle-Tacoma Center coordinates critical drug intelligence International Airport as well as other means information among local, state, and federal of transshipping drugs and drug profits. agencies. The unit prepares the Annual Report. In addition, the Watch Center The Northwest HIDTA coordinates and augments the Analytical Unit in its synchronizes task force efforts by providing investigative case analysis services and significant investigative case analysis and strategic research duties. intelligence information to each of these task forces. Since smuggling on the U.S.-Canada The Analytical Unit enhances investigative border is commonplace, a tactical functions of law enforcement agencies intelligence center is in place adjacent to the through delivery of analytical services from border. This Integrated Border Intelligence investigation inception to trial. These Team (IBIT) directly services border services include communications analyses interdiction and enforcement teams while (i.e., servicing DNRs and toll activity during 94 Title IIIs, mapping cell site activity, linking State/Local: Washington State Patrol targets); research using multiple agency and (WSP); Washington State Department of commercial databases; production of charts Corrections; Washington State Department and graphs; post-seizure analysis of of Health; Washington National Guard; evidence; written analytical reports; and Clark County, Cowlitz County, King PowerPoint presentations. Written products, County, Lewis County, Pierce County, such as reports of investigation, are provided Skamania County, Snohomish County, to the supported agencies for use in their Thurston County, Whatcom County, and reporting systems. Many of the Yakima County Sheriff's Offices; Pierce investigations supported are designated County, Snohomish County, Spokane Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task County, and Whatcom County Prosecutor's Force (OCDETF) cases, have a money Offices; Bellingham, Blaine, Bonney Lake, laundering element, or are complex and of Bothell, Centralia, Chehalis, Des Moines, long duration. The Analytical Unit Everett, Grandview, Granger, Lacey, additionally prepares strategic studies and Longview, Marysville, Olympia, Port of the Annual Threat Assessment. Seattle, Puyallup, Redmond (as part of the Eastside Narcotics Task Force), Seattle, The Administrative Unit provides training Spokane, Sumner, Sunnyside (Yakima opportunities, Information Technology County), Tacoma, Toppenish, Tumwater, support, and Technical Equipment expertise. Union Gap, and Vancouver Police The training function of the Administrative Departments; Cowlitz County Corrections Unit provides a wide array of training Department. opportunities to intelligence center staff and law enforcement officers. The infommtion Other: Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Technology personnel design, install, and Canada Customs; Office of the Washington support all of the information processing State Lieutenant Governor; Washington systems in the ISC and augment the IT State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Washington activities of the Northwest HIDTA State Alcohol/Drug Clearinghouse; Initiatives. The Technical Equipment Educational Service District 105, Yakima; program loans, services, and installs King County Department of Community and evidence gathering technical equipment Human Services; Cowlitz County, Thurston needed in drug investigations by local, state, County, Whatcom County, and Yakima and federal agencies. County Superior Courts; King County Department of Judicial Administration; Partt~lpat~g. Agene~.e.~, Pierce County Alliance; Pierce County Planning and Land Services; Skagit Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Recovery Center; North East Washington Firearms and Explosives; Bureau of Indian Treatment Alternatives, Spokane; Affairs; Yakama Tribal Police; Drug Snohomish County Human Services Enforcement Administration (DEA); Federal Department; Kitsap County Human Services Bureau of Investigation; Food and Drug Depamnent; Clark County Community Administration; U.S. hnmigration and Services Depamnent; Skagit County Human Customs Enforcement (ICE); Internal Services Department; Seattle, Neighborhood Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Group; Pierce County Human Services U.S. Customs & Border Protection; U.S. Department; Thurston County Coast Guard, District 13, Seattle; U.S. TOGETHER!; Cowlitz County Substance Marshal's Service; and U.S. Postal Service. Abuse Coalition; Greater Spokane 95 Substance Abuse Council; and the Tacoma- On June 23, 2004, the DEA Tacoma Pierce County Health Department. Narcotics Task Force and members of the Gray's Harbor Drug Task Force and ICE Signifi~an.t,~ .1. dch~ev~em~nts;j . e. completed a two-year investigation into a DTO operating in Gray's Harbor County. On May 24, 2004, over 130 law Agents and detectives arrested 16 enforcement personnel from the Snohomish defendants and executed 15 search warrants. County Drug Task Force and DEA (with the This resulted in the seizure of one pound of assistance of police personnel from Skagit, methamphetamine, a dismantled Eastside, and South Snohomish County methamphetamine lab, a 200 plant indoor Narcotics Task Forces as well as personnel grow, $4,000 in cash, and 14 vehicles. Over from Everett, Seattle, Marysville Police the course of this investigation, 5.5 pounds Departments, the WSP, ICE and the U.S. of crystal methamphetamine was purchased Marshal's Service) served search warrants at from members of this organization that was numerous residences and storage facilities in allegedly responsible for the monthly Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties. distribution of 50 to 100 pounds of Throughout the eight-month investigation, methamphetamine since 2001. The enforcement agents executed a total of 26 methamphetamine was transported to the search warrants and arrested 23 suspects. Gray's Harbor area from California and the Additionally, agents seized over 26 pounds Yakima areas. All 16 defendants were of high quality "ice" methamphetamine, 7.5 illegal immigrants. An article from the pounds of cocaine, and 13.2 pounds of Aberdeen Daily World called this marijuana. The suspects called the enforcement activity the "largest drug bust methamphetamine "bomb-bomb" because it in county history." was over 90 percent pure. Additionally, agents seized over $229,000 in cash and $703,000 in stolen checks. Officers and agents seized 32 guns, 8 of which had been reported stolen. 96 ge k / Sersey HID TA Geae at njarmatio F¢~ of De.siga~tiO~tt 1990 ~eog~apat¢'A'~e.tts ofResp.a~sJb~i!itg; Ne.~ Fark: New York City and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties N;ot~d:¢r,s,ey,'. Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union Counties CO~lta.¢t; (646) 805-6105 M/Ts S.m.t e me.ut," marketplaces and gateways for narcotics trafficking for several reasons: The mission of the NY/N.I HIDTA is to reduce domestic drug trafficking and New York City presents an ideal location for measurably reduce illegal drug use and the importation of drugs from around the crime by enhancing and coordinating drug world. With 20 million people from more trafficking control efforts. Recognizing that than 100 different countries living in the there is no single, effective solution, the area, millions of people and packages travel NYFNJ HIDTA seeks to accomplish its through New York City every day. Over 20 mission through collaborative, measurable million international passengers and over initiatives including information sharing, 100 million tons of freight pass through the intelligence driven enforcement, training region's three major airports, JFK, Newark and prevention. and LaGuardia each year. Numerous other transportation hubs are Threat Abstr e.'t: located throughout the area: several domestic airports, the railroad complexes of Crime in New York City has decreased Grand Central and Pennsylvania Stations, dramatically over the last six years and is and hundreds of miles of subway tracks. now at its lowest level in over 35 years. The New York metropolitan area also has an According to the FBI Index statistics, New extensive waterfront and various points-of- York City has been the safest large city in entry for shipping cargo of every size and America since 1995. Despite law type and a complex network of highways enforcement's tremendous accomplishments, and bridges which bring over one billion communities in the New York metropolitan people into New York City each year. Each area are still plagued by illegal drugs and of these transportation avenues serves as a related crime. The NY/NJ HIDTA region potential entry point for illegal drugs. remains one of the nation's major 97 New York City, particularly the Washington Strategy is implemented by the following Heights section of northern Manhattan, is initiatives: the primary distribution center for retail and wholesale cocaine and heroin throughout the Intelligence Northeast and is a significant point of o The Regional Intelligence Center distribution for locations across North • HIDTANET (technology) America. A significant portion of the heroin Enforcement seized in the United States is seized in or • E1 Dorado Task Force destined for New York City. In addition, a [] Regional Fugitive Task Force significant portion of the cocaine imported [] New Jersey Drug Trafficking into the United States comes to or through Organization Task Force New York City. [] New York OCDETF Strike Force Support Cocaine, both powdered and crack, poses - Regional Training Center the most serious drug threat to the New [] Support Services York/New Jersey HIDTA region. It is Prevention (non-HIDTA funded) readily available, frequently abused, and [] Citywide Armory Project more often associated with violent crime than any other illicit drug. Heroin, primarily !nvestt~ati~e Suppart Center: South American, poses the second most The Regional Intelligence Center ("RIC") serious threat to the region because of the consists of approximately 600 negative health effects and its emergence representatives from all the federal, state and and spread within a new, younger abuser local law enforcement agencies in the New population. Marijuana's ubiquitous presence York metropolitan area. The RIC is the and acceptance by many segments of society central conduit for information sharing distinguish it as a constant threat. The among the numerous law enforcement dramatic increase in the availability and agencies in the region. The RIC is organized abuse of Other Dangerous Drugs (ODDs), into five sections and three satellite particularly MDMA (Ecstasy), mark these intelligence centers: substances as the next greatest cause for concern. Methamphetamine is not, as yet, a Watch Section: The Watch Section serious threat to the region, although the provides law enforcement with immediate level of abuse may be gradually increasing. access -"one-stop shopping"- to a wide range of law enforcement and commercial St ate~ Abstract: databases, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. RIC analysts have access to virtually The NY/NJ HIDTA is led by an Executive all of the law enforcement and commercial Board consisting of 18 federal, state and computer records. Inquiries can be run on, local law enforcement leaders in the New among other things, persons, vehicles, York metropolitan area. Their leadership businesses, addresses, and telephone enhances the integration and numbers. Each Watch query becomes a synchronization of efforts to reduce drug permanent record in the Information Data trafficking, while eliminating unnecessary System (IDS) which serves as a pointer- duplication of effort, systematically index for all requestors of the Watch. improving the sharing of drug intelligence, and supporting programs that effectively Borough Intelligence Section: The reduce the demand for illegal drugs. The Borough Intelligence Section consists of 98 investigators from the NYPD, divided assessments, strategic reports and geographically' into eight Borough organizational studies to Investigators. The Intelligence Teams ("BITs") throughout Priority Targeting Section also cultivates New York City. The mission of the BITs is informants and cooperating witnesses and to provide a comprehensive, integrated generates investigations. Once developed, picture of crime block-by-block, precinct- these cases are referred to the appropriate by-precinct throughout New York City. law enforcement agencies for further Each BIT consists of one Field Intelligence investigation. Officer ("FIO") for every precinct in that BIT's geographic area of responsibility. Satellite ~ntelligence Centers: The BITs have access to all intelligence Westchester Intelligence Center reports within the NYPD and their Task New Jersey Intelligence Center Forces and are responsible for providing a Nassau Cotlnty Intelligence Center timely and complete criminal intelligence Suffolk County Intelligence Center picture in order to effectively drive Upstate NY Regional Intelligence Center enforcement decisions. Rockland County Intelligence Center (non- H1 DTA funded) El Dorado Money Laundering Intelligence Section (HIFCA): The Money Laundering Intelligence Section, Parge~lp,~ttn,g A gen~.:tes': led by ICE and IRS, is also known as the HIFCA Section (High Intensity Financial Federal Crimes Area). The HIFCA Section is Arnly National Guard, Bureau of Immigration responsible for providing a comprehensive, and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of integrated intelligence picture of drug Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department related money laundering in the New York of Criminal hwestigative Services, metropolitan area to the HIDTA E1 Dorado Department of Health and Human Services, Task Force. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of The Firearms Section (Regional Crime Prisons, Federal Reserve Bank, FinCEN, Gun Center): The Gun Center, led by ATF, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security is the central location for all criminal and Administration, United States Attorney's regulatory firearm information. The Gun Offices, United States Coast Guard, United Center gathers and consolidates all aspects States Department of Defense/Joint Task of intelligence on illegal firearms use and Force-6, United States Department of Housing trafficking and makes that information and Urban Development/Office of the available to law enforcement 24 hours a day, Inspector General, United Siates Depamnent seven days a week. of State, United States Marshals Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Probation, and United States Priority Targeting Section (PTS): The Secret Service. Priority Targeting Section consists of investigators and analysts, and is responsible State for providing a comprehensive, integrated Neu, York: New York National Guard, New intelligence picture of the most significant York State Banking Department, New York drug trafficking and other violent State Commission of Investigation, New York organizations in the New York metropolitan State Departnlent of Corrections, New York area. They provide case support, threat State Department of Health and Human 99 Services, New York State Division of Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Criminal Justice Services, New York State Newark Police Depamnent, Passaic County Division of Parole, New York State Police, Prosecutor's Office, Passaic County Sheriff's and Waterfiont Commission. Department, and Trenton Police Department, Union City Police Department, Union County New Jersey: New Jersey Attorney General's Prosecutor's Office, and Union County Office, New Jersey Department of Sheriff's Office Corrections, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey Division of Parole, New &gnifi,¢~n~" ",. r A e .hte,Je~"" V I n~n.t:s~,~ ' Jersey National Guard, and New Jersey State Police. The New York OCDETF Strike Force is a collocated, commingled Task Force Local dedicated exclusively to disrupting and New York: Bronx County District Attorney's dismantling Consolidated Priority Office, Clarkstown Police Department, Kings Organizational Targets (CPOTs) and their County District Attorney's Office, Mt. Vernon drug trafficking organization affiliates in the Police Department, Nassau County District Attorney's Office, Nassau County Police New York metropolitan area. Department, New York City Criminal Justice Coordinator's Office, New York City Several law enforcement agencies, Department of Colxection, New York City particularly DEA, FBI, NYPD, ICE and Department of Investigation, New York City IRS, agreed to combine their independent Police Department, New York Coun~ District OCDETF drug enforcement efforts under Attorney's Office, Ocean County Sheriff's one umbrella, creating a true Strike Force, Department, Office of the Special Narcotics just as the OCDETF program originally Prosecutor for New York City, Port Authority envisioned over 20 years ago. The Strike of New York and New Jersey, Queens County Force is a model law enforcement District Attorney's Office, Ramapo Police partnership. The 230 law enforcement Department, Richmond County District officers include DEA (59), FBI (31), NYPD Attorney's Office, Rockland County District (34), ICE (30), IRS (30), USMS (5), Attorney's Office, Rockland County Sheriff's OCDETF agency coordinators (including Department, Stony Point Police Departlnent, ATF and U.S. Coast Guard) (9), United Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, States Attorneys' Offices for the Eastern and Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk Southern District of New York (3), New County Probation Department, Suffolk County York State Police (3), and New York State SherifFs Department, Westchester County Banking Department (1). The members of Department of CozTections, Westchester the Strike Force are assigned to 15 County Department of Public Safety, and enforcement groups under the direction of a Westchester County District Attorney's Office. DEA Associate SAC. New Jerso~: Bayonne Police Department, Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Camden Each enforcement group is assigned an County Sheriff's Department, East Brunswick Intelligence Analyst from the HIDTA Police Department, East Orange Police Regional Intelligence Center ("HIDTA Department, Elizabeth Police Department, RIC"). The analyst supports the group's Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Essex investigations and ensures the free flow of County Sheriff's Office, Fort Lee Police information between and among the groups, Department, Hudson County Prosecutor's law enforcement agencies in New York and Office, Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, throughout the country, and the Special Mercer Cotinty Sheriff's Department, Operations Division ("SOD"). The 100 intelligence analysts work closely with the By physically merging the resources and HIDTA RIC, and particularly with the talents of the aforementioned agencies into a CPOT Drug Intelligence Group, to provide single, commingled, powerful Task Force the Strike Force with comprehensive case dedicated to the destruction of the area's support, a constantly-updated list of most prominent drug trafficking Regional Priority Targets, and access to law organizations, the opportunities to reduce enforcement databases. In turn, the Strike the illicit drug flow to the consumer are Force contributes intelligence from its being enhanced beyond anything achieved ongoing investigations to the HIDTA RIC ever before in drug enforcement. for support of other HIDTA investigations. In addition, the Strike Force registers all Since May, 2004 Strike Force CPOT targets via a direct connection to UDECS, investigations have already yielded the state-wide deconfliction system $22,000,000; 23,400 pounds of marijuana; maintained at the HIDTA RIC. and 230 kilograms of cocaine. The Strike Force officially began operations in May, 2004 and is already among the finest drug enforcement task forces in the cotlntry. The Strike Force is located at Chelsea Market, which is connected by a bridge on one side to the 700-1nember H1DTA Regional Intelligence Center and the 130-member HIDTA Fugitive Task Force, both of which provide invahlable support to the Strike Force. On the other side of the Strike Force space, another bridge will soon be built to connect the Strike Force to the DEA's New York headquarters, thereby creating a law enforcement campus of unprecedented proportions. 101 OHiO Generat ~.farmxttian; ~eograp.hi~', Areas' ofRe:spatt~ib.i!ity~ O~!ii'o,;. Cuyahoga, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, Stark, Summit and Warren Counties CO~tact~. (216) 739-3500 Mii~s~n St~tem_ e~t: landmass and approximately 6.5 million residents. The Ohio HIDTA region consists The mission of the Ohio HIDTA is to reduce of five metropolitan cities, Toledo, drug availability by creating intelligence- Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown driven drug task forces aimed at eliminating all of which have lost much of their or reducing domestic drug trafficking and its industrial base since the 1970's. Of these harmful consequences through enhancing metropolitan areas, Toledo and Cleveland and helping to coordinate drug-trafficking are major international seaports processing control efforts among federal, state and local in excess of 28,000,000 tons of bulk and dry law enforcement agencies. This will be cargo each year. The Port of Cleveland accomplished through the coordination and receives between 120-165 foreign vessels sharing of intelligence, unified law annually. enforcement effort, and community cooperation, which will improve the quality The primary drug threat to the Ohio HIDTA of life in Ohio. region has been, and continues to be, cocaine in both powder and crack form. Th, re~t Ahs.tract, ~ Many drug trafficking organizations exist and operate in Northern Ohio with no one The Ohio HIDTA was designated on June group as the "major player." The most 15, 1999. In 2004, six additional counties significant drug trafficking organizations in were added and the HIDTA is now located this region consist of Jamaican and Hispanic in an eleven-county region in Northern and (Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans) Southern Ohio where access to illicit traffickers. Outlaw motorcycle clubs, other narcotics has become a lucrative business ethnic-based groups and street gangs are and thus a challenging task for law also involved in drug trafficking activity in enforcement. Northern Ohio consists of this region. Typical methods of distribution approximately 40 counties, encompassing include the use of well-developed interstate approximately 18,000 square miles of highways 0-80, 1-90, 1-75, 1-77, and 1-71) 102 and the transport of drugs by travelers on region. Each task force will develop its own commercial airline flights, although a strategies, based upon a regional Threat considerable decline in the latter method has Assessment, and structure the task force for occurred in response to increased airport achieving the primary goal of the Ohio security. HIDTA. This will be accomplished through the development of Organized Crime Drug Besides the trafficking in cocaine, Northern Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) quality Ohio contends with the emerging threat of investigations. Each task force will submit heroin and a growing methamphetamine annual proposals for multi-agency initiatives problem. Recent data from the E1 Paso designed to focus Ohio HIDTA resources Intelligence Center (EPIC) reveal a against major narcotics and money consistent in-crease in the number of laundering organizations. An Methamphetamine labs seized in 120- loo- ,,~ 80- [] Methampheiamine laboratories including 60- dumpsiies, chemicals, and equipment. Source: EPIC 40- 211-~ 0 -- -'J 1997 1998 1999 2000 21101 2002 2003 clandestine lnethamphetamine laboratory Initiatives/Budget Subcommittee, in seizures ill Ohio. Since the year 2000, tile conjunction with the lead OCDETF attorney number of labs seized in Ohio has more than for the district, will review all task force quadrupled. The easy manufacture of this investigations to ensure the appropriate use illicit drug coupled with its serious health of Ohio HIDTA resources, and that cases are risks makes methamphetamine an especially submitted for Ohio HIDTA and OCDETF salient concern in this region. Marijuana is designation. The Ohio HIDTA Executive ubiquitous in Ohio as it is elsewhere and Board, which is made up of 8 federal and 8 constitutes the most connnonly available local/state law enforcement executives, and abused drug in this region. The so- through subcommittees, will coordinate the called "designer-drugs" or "club drugs" (i.e., integration and synchronization of efforts to GHB, Ecstasy) have become popular amol3g dismantle organizations, eliminate young adults and juveniles in the area and unnecessary duplication, and improve the pose a threat to users who often view the use systematic sharing of intelligence. The Ohio of these drugs as relatively harlnless and HIDTA Executive Board will monitor the benign. implementation of this strategy to ensure the efforts of the Ohio HIDTA will produce the Stra_tegy,,, A b.~;eract: desired impact and further determine whether the distribution of resources is consistent with the overall Ohio HIDTA The overall investigative strategy of the strategy. Ohio HIDTA consists of ten multi-agency metropolitan task forces representing the geographic territory of the five-county 103 Initiatives: analysis, as well as financial/analytical case support, and training• The Technical 1. Management and Coordination Support/Computer Evidence Recovery Lab offers additional services to law 2. Investigative Support Center enforcement. All interdiction operations and investigations are coordinated through the 3. Training Initiative ISC. The Ohio HIDTA ISC also coordinates with local and federal intelligence networks, 4. Caribbean~Gang Drug Task Force as well as other HIDTAs to ensure connectivity. The ISC brokers information 5. DEA Youngstown Task Force to the metropolitan and interdiction task forces and, where appropriate, to non- 6. Akron~Summit County HIDTA Initiative participating law enforcement agencies, in accordance with federal regulations. 7. Mahoning Valley Drug Task Force The ISC also conducts surveys and provides 8. Northeast Ohio Interdiction Task Force analytical and investigative training to area law enforcement personnel. Training is 9. Northwest Ohio HIDTA Task Force coordinated through the National H|DTA Assistance Center (NHAC) when possible to 10. Stark County Violent Crimes Task Force maximize and coordinate training opportunities to all Ohio HIDTA task force 11. Toledo Metro Drug Task Force personnel. 12. HIDTA Money Laundering~Intelligence Part elpa mg Agen es Initiative Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and 13. Commercial Vehicle~Intelligence Firearms (ATF), Drug Enforcement Initiative Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of hnmigration 14. South Central Drug Task Force and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Internal Revenue Service ORS), United States 15. Southwest Ohio Regional Task Force Attorney's Office (USAO), United States (Pharmaceutical Diversion Unit) Marshals Service (USMS), Office of the Inspector General, United States Postal 16. Miami Valley Drug Task Force Inspector (USPI). evesti ative S ffpart Center.: State/Local: ACE, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio Bureau of Criminal The Ohio HIDTA Investigative Support Identification and Investigation, Ohio Center (ISC) became fully operational in National Guard, Akron PD, Alliance PD, early 2001. Through the use of numerous Austintown PD, Bay Village PD, Beaver commercial and criminal law enforcement Township PD, Boardman PD, Brookpark databases, it now provides event PD, CANE, Canfield PD, Canton PD, deconfliction, case/subject deconfliction, Cleveland PD, Cleveland Heights PD, post-seizure analysis, telephone toll analysis, Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority link analysis, intelligence profiles, Title II1 PD, Cincinnati PD, Columbus PD, support, charts/graphs, trend and pattern Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, East 104 Cleveland PD, DART, Dayton PD, Euclid Sige can Ncl e em ents, PD, Fairfield-Hocking Major Crimes Unit, Franklin County Sheriffs Office, Fairfield One of the highlights of the year was the County Sheriffs Office, Geauga County dismantling of a Miami-based South- Sheriffs Office, Greene County Sheriffs American heroin drug trafficking Office, Huber Heights PD, Independence organization by the Ohio HIDTA PD, Jackson Township PD, Liberty PD, Caribbean/Gang Drug Task Force. Title III Louisville PD, Lucas County Sheriffs monitoring revealed numerous Cleveland Office, Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, area heroin customers supplied by two Massillon PD, Monroe County (MI) Columbian couriers. Cleveland federally Sheriffs Office, Montgomery county indicted 18 members of this DTO and FBI Sheriffs Office, Northwood PD, Ohio State Miami indicted 5 subjects. This Highway Patrol, Orange PD, Pamla PD, investigation also resulted in the seizure of Perry Township PD, Perrysburg Township 2.4 kilograms of heroin. As a result of PD, Poland Township PD, Poland Village Cleveland and Miami's efforts, this PD, Regional Transit Authority PD, SEAL interuational heroin trafficking organization (Southeast Area Law Enforcement has been completely dismantled. Resulting Narcotics), Shaker Heights PD, Stark form the above, a major New York heroin Cotinty Sheriffs Office, Struther's PD, supplier to the Cleveland distributors was Summit County Sheriffs Office, SWORD, federally convicted after a week-long trial. Sylvania PD, Toledo PD, Trootwood PD, Trumbull County Sheriffs Office, Warren Because of the increased concern of heroin County Sheriffs Office, Warren-Clinton trafficking in tile Ohio HIDTA region, Drug/Strategic Operations Task Force, intelligence analysts assigned to the Warrensville Heights PD, Westlake PD, Investigative Support Center chose "The Wickliffe PD, Wood Cotlnty Sheriffs Emerging Heroin Threat" as the theme of Office, Youngstown PD, Youngstown State the 2004 Drug Intelligence Symposium, Univ. PD. hosted by the Ohio HIDTA each fall. This annual symposium, identified as a "best practice," brings together intelligence analysts and investigators in an effort to share intelligence, discuss timely issues, and establish professional networks in the counterdrug and counterterrorsim communities. 105 :, ~j ~- . EJDTA...... Geaer~g ~nlbrma.t_io~: Y'e_arof De_Mgn.t.tt&~g. 1999- Deschutes, Jackson, and Marion Counties ~eae, of~eatg~.a~ot~.': 2002- Clackamas, Douglas, Mu[tnomah, and Washington Counties Ge.ograph& ~re_as ofRespouaib.i!itF.t Oregon, Clackamas, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington counties. Co.tz_t~et'.g- (503) 378-5123 M,'iSs&n S~atement: identified 78 drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) with foreign and "To reduce drug availability by creating domestic connections that are actively intelligence-driven drug task forces operating in the Oregon HIDTA aimed at eliminating or reducing counties. Mexican and Caucasian DTOs domestic drug trafficking and its harmful control the majority of the transportation consequences by enhancing, and helping and distribution of illicit drugs into and to coordinate, drug trafficking control out of the HIDTA counties. The drug efforts among federal, state, and local distribution activities of the Mexican law enforcement agencies." DTOs identified are significantly supported by illegal aliens. Mexican Oregon HIDTA federal, state, and local DTOs specialize in trafficking multiple cooperative initiatives include, but are drug types simultaneously. They are not limited to, intelligence sharing, known as Poly-Drug Trafficking investigation, investigative support, Organizations. They are the primary interdiction, and prosecution. traffickers of the cocaine, heroin, _gheea_~A/,~:~ra.e~: marijuana, and methamphetamine abused in Oregon. Other DTOs and The Oregon HIDTA designated counties criminal groups, such as outlaw contain approximately 63% of the motorcycle gangs (OMGs), street gangs, Oregon Population or 2,233,640 people and Asian, Canadian, Honduran, Middle as of July 1st, 2003. During 2004, the Eastern, and Russian DTOs, also Oregon HIDTA Intelligence and transport and distribute drugs in Oregon, Investigative Support Center (ISC) but to a lesser extent. MDMA, GHB, 106 LSD, PCP, ketamine, psilocybin and in Oregon. The "Crystal" or "ICE" form pseudo-ephedrine are also smuggled into of methamphetamine is now the the HIDTA region. In 2003, federal law predominate form of meth in Oregon and enforcement agencies seized 100,000 is smoked. This is extremely addictive MDMA tablets. and will lead to many new meth related crime and health problems in Oregon. An additional major threat to the entire During 2003, Oregon law enforcement state and especially the HIDTA region is reported 437 methamphetamine lab the correlation between major drug seizures. offenders and related weapons seizures and crimes. The Bureau of Alcohol, Marijuana is the most abused illegal Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives report drug in Oregon and together with that in 2003, 9,561 Oregon residents alcohol is a primary gateway drug to qualify as potential "armed career other more dangerous drugs. The criminals." Those identified as potential majority of those in drug treatment in armed career criminals are responsible Oregon have an addiction to marijuana. for over 41,000 criminal court charges in High potency marijuana is grown locally Oregon. Of the 9,561 potential armed and trafficking of highly potent career criminals, 48% (or 4,620) have a Canadian marijuana or "BC Bud" felony drug conviction as one of the continues to have a significant impact in three predicate offenses. Felony drug Oregon as well as the HIDTA counties fugitives also pose a significant threat to and neighboring states. Marijuana is the citizens of Oregon, and specifically grown on Oregon public lands in our the personal safety of Oregon Law U.S. Forests by local traffickers as well Enforcement Officers. Information and Mexican drug trafficking groups. obtained from the U.S. Marshal's Black tar heroin continues to be a Service Portland Office (a HIDTA serious problem in the urban centers of fugitive task force) reports that a recent Oregon and the abuse of the related survey of federal warrants in the District prescription drug, OxyContin, is still of Oregon identified 8 Consolidated increasing. Priority Target (CPOT) warrants, 83 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Cocahle, including the Crack version is Task Force (OCDETF) warrants, and still a significant pl'oblem in tile Portland another 59 active federal felony drug Metropolitan area and other urban warrants. A query of Oregon Law Oregon conamunities. It is of note that Enforcement Data System (LEDS) the availability and use of cocaine seems shows 6,981 current felony drug to be rising as the cost of "Crystal" warrants outstanding in Oregon, of methan~phetamine has exceeded the cost which 77% (or 5,346) originate in of cocaine. Oregon H IDTA Counties. Methanlphetamine, oil a state-wide Methaml~hetamine continues to be a basis, and ItlDTA wide basis, is still tile serious and growing threat throughout stimulant drug of choice over cocaine. Oregon and is currently the most personally and environmentally damaging and dangerous drug problem 107 S~ralegy, ~ha!raetz trafficking organizations through systematic and thorough investigations, The primary strategies to achieve the that lead to successful criminal Mission of the Oregon HIDTA Program prosecutions and forfeiture of their illicit and the goals of the National Drug assets, Control Strategy are: (7. Leverage federal, state, and local law A. Create intelligence-driven drug task enforcement efforts by coordinating forces aimed at eliminating or reducing efforts to reduce the production, domestic drug trafficking of manufacturing, distribution, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and transportation, and use of illegal drugs, marijuana, as well as the related money laundering B. Focus task force efforts at "High of drug proceeds, Value" drug trafficking organizations, H. Provide quality training to law C. Provide an Intelligence and enforcement personnel to enhance their Investigative Support Center (ISC) that skills at investigating, prosecuting, and serves as a "one stop research shop" and preventing drug trafficking and drug "coordination umbrella" that provides abuse at all levels and promote officer accurate, detailed and timely tactical and safety. strategic drug intelligence to HIDTA initiatives, HIDTA participating !~nvestigatt.ve• [ ,~ • o. Support, .... Cen• t e~:'~ agencies, and other law enforcement agencies as appropriate both locally and The Oregon HIDTA Intelligence and nationally, Investigative Support Center (ISC) is the primary information sharing and D. Provide an Intelligence and research component of the Oregon Investigative Support Center (ISC) that HIDTA. The ISC maintains an all serves as a primary investigative crimes criminal intelligence database for resource for technical support and the State of Oregon that can be accessed equipment, to include state-of-the-art by law enforcement personnel through a Title Ill and Pen Register equipment, Watch Center by phone or electronically GPS tracking equipment, crime analysis over the Oregon State Intelligence equipment, surveillance equipment, Network (OSIN) via the secure web undercover equipment, video RISS.net electronic highway. The OSIN enhancement services, and computer database interfaces with the Western forensic services. States Information Network (WSIN) database serving the five western states E. Provide an electronic officer safety of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, warning system through the ISC Watch and Washington. The ISC also Center that serves to deconflict and provides an access point for law coordinate tactical operations and enforcement investigators to other vital investigations occurring in close federal, state and local law enforcement proximity to each other on a twenty-four personnel and databases to assist all hour basis, seven days per week. regional law enforcement agencies in F. Conduct field operations and counter drug investigations, eradication, investigations, which dismantle drug and interdiction. The ISC provides 108 event and case coordination Prineviile Police Department, Warm (deconfliction) services for officer safety Springs Tribal Police, Deschutes County and enhanced information sharing. The District Attorney's Office, Jackson ISC provides participating agencies and County Sheriffs Department, Medford HIDTA task forces operational Police Department, Ashland Police analytical support for ongoing "initiative Department, Jackson County District driven" case activity through access to Attorney's Office, Salem Police nmltiple criminal and commercial Department, Marion County Sheriff's databases. The ISC provides narcotics Department, and the Marion County intelligence analyses, prepares threat District Attorney's Office, Gresham assessments, strategic reports, and Police Department, Portland Police organizational studies; performs post- Bureau, Lake Oswego Police seizure and search warrant analyses; Department, Washington County supports arrest operations; prepares and Sheriff's Office, Multnomah County conducts briefings tbr visitors to the Sheriff's Office, St. Helens Police HIDTA; and assists in trial preparations. Department, Multnomah County District Additionally, the ISC conducts self- Attorney's Office, Clackamas County initiated intelligence analysis projects to Sheriff's Office, Douglas County generate leads for HIDTA investigative Sheriff's Office, Roseburg Police agencies. Additionally, the ISC Depamnent, Beaverton Police maintains specialized equipment for law Department, Tigard Police Department, enforcement agency use on a case by Hillsboro Police Department. case basis. Other: Oregon Partnership, and Alcohol Partleip( tieg A!geu¢ies:: and Drag Abuse Program Director's Association of Oregon. Federah Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Expolosives (ATF), U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Custom Signi,j¢a~nt-~4¢Me.~em ~nts,: Enforcement (BICE), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau The Oregon HIDTA Intelligence and of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Investigative Support Center (1SC) Service-Criminal hwestigation (1RS), represents a very significant United States Forest Service (USFS), enhancement to Oregon drug United States Marshals Service (USMS), enforcement efforts. It serves federal, United States Postal Service (USPS) and state, and local law enforcement as a the U.S. Attorneys Offices in Oregon one-stop service center for criminal (USA). research, intelligence collection, case coordination (deconfliction), strategic State~Local: Oregon Department of and tactical analytical support, Justice, Oregon State Police, Oregon information sharing, and information National Guard, Deschutes County analysis. It now is interfaced with Sheriff's Department, Jefferson County homeland security efforts as well. Sheriffs Department, Crook County Sheriffs Department, Bend Police When Oregon received its H IDTA Depamnent, Redmond Police designation in 1999, the Oregon Department, Madras Police Department, 109 Criminal Intelligence Unit (OCIU) was trained nearly 800 investigators from able to enhance its services to the federal, state, and local law enforcement HIDTA counties and the state as a agencies and activated electronic access whole. The HIDTA Intelligence and for more than 112 individual agencies. Investigative Support Center (ISC) was conceived and built as an integrated Additionally, total electronic component of the OCIU. coordination (deconfliction) is available for both case investigations and events HIDTA funding has enabled the OCIU such as search warrants, undercover buy to enhance its facility and services. The busts, and other undercover operations. OCIU/ISC has web enabled the all- Over 300 events have been entered as of crimes intelligence database OSIN this writing and over 3500 inquiries have (Oregon State Intelligence Network)via been made of the OS1N system. All is RISS.net, created electronic case and overseen by a Watch Center and all tactical event coordination occurs either via the secure RlSS.net or (deconfliction), and upgraded by phone. Many other links for criminal equipment, Title III, and analytical case research are available and more will support services to drug and criminal he added as the system grows. OSIN is investigators in the field. Federal, state, designed to provide a seamless exchange and local investigators can now of information to federal, state, and local electronically access the criminal law enforcement agencies. intelligence database to make inquiries and get real time results or make clan- The ISC services have already resulted lab, gang, drug, terrorism, or general in major drug trafficking organizations criminal intelligence submissions into being disrupted, many kilos of drugs the database. Electronic geo-mapping is being seized, and well over a million also available for coordination, dollars in illegal assets seized, just in the deconfliction, and tactical planning. last year. Since full deployment of the OSIN system in August 2003, ISC staff have 110 @nerat farm t&a: gear ofDesigaati'o,a: 1995 Geogeapltie ~r~eo~afRe~o2~sib~il/itr; Pettn,s~!vania.', Philadelphia County N~,te Jers~g," City of Camden New Jersey within Camden County Co2ztact: (215) 560-1661, www.hidta.info Miss.o.e, ~ag_e,g~.ente trafficking into and through the region. The Port of Philadelphia/Camden is a major The Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA will use a international seaport and the second largest multi-faceted program to reduce the seaport in the nation. Multi-kilogram cultivation, production, trafficking, shipments of cocaine are trafficked through distribution, and use of illegal drugs. The this port. Major New York drug trafficking Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA will increase organizations use Philadelphia as a the safety and quality of life of the citizens transshipment point for their drugs, drug- in the Philadelphia/Camden region by proceeds, and illegal guns. New York gangs measurably reducing drug-related crime and have expanded their territory to the outskirts violence. of tile area. Thre~.et A,b.a;gr,~ee¢.t There are approximately 370 open-air markets in PC HIDTA Region. Cocaine is The Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA was sold at most of these locations. designated in 1995. The location of Philadelphia remains the source city for Philadelphia and Camden on the eastern cocaine distribution in central and seaboard, particularly their proximity to northeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. New York, places the cities on one of the According to tile mortality data from Drug busiest illegal drag transit routes. Major Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), there interstate rail and highway systems; a major were 784 drug related deaths in 2002. Of international airport, one of the fastest the nearly 1.9 million visits to Philadelphia growing in the world; and key shipping area Emergency Departments (ED) in 2002, terminals on the 100 miles of waterfront about 1 percent (27,753) were related to along the Delaware River facilitate drug 111 drug abuse. According to the Arrestee Drug MDMA (Ecstasy) is the most frequently Abuse Monitoring program data (ADAM), abused and available club drug in the PC 76.2 percent of adult male arrestees in HIDTA region. Most MDMA available in Philadelphia tested positive for abusing at the PC HIDTA region is produced in the least one drug, i.e., cocaine, opiates, Netherlands and is smuggled into New York marijuana, methamphetamine or City and then transported via private vehicle phencyclidine (PCP), in 2002. to Philadelphia by a variety of criminals. Crack is one of the most widely available Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a illicit drugs in Philadelphia and Camden. behavioral, central nervous system The North and West areas of the city depressant. It is most commonly sold as a continue to be sources of supply. Crack colorless, bitter or salty-tasting liquid, but appears to be the drug of choice in the inner also is available as a crystal powder. GHB city minority population centers; however, is available at low levels and stable prices in heroin after marijuana use is on the rise and the PC HIDTA region. may replace crack. Inhalant abuse is an emerging problem in Heroin is plentiful, inexpensive, easily the region. Inhalants are everyday products administered (snorted rather than that are abused for the purpose of reaching a intravenously) and is being aggressively high. Pennsylvania was chosen as one of marketed. Philadelphia is the source city for the first states to use the Inhalant Abuse the PC HIDTA area, including Delaware. Prevention Program- an experimental There were 344 heroin related deaths in program designed to provide school Philadelphia in 2002. South American guidance counselors with the materials to heroin is the most prevalent type available in teach parents and students about the dangers the PC HIDTA region. Philadelphia has the and signs of inhalant abuse. highest purity (80-90%) in the nation according to the DEA. Diverted pharmaceuticals, (e.g. benzodiazepine, Codeine, Fentanyl, Marijuana is readily available and widely methadone, morphine and oxycodone) abused illicit drug in the remain a concern in the PC HIDTA region. Philadelphia/Camden region. A variety of ethnic DTOs, criminal groups, independent Strateg~ Abstract: dealers, and street gangs distribute and transport marijuana using a variety of The Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA methods. There was a total of 46 marijuana Executive Board is comprised of eighteen related deaths in Philadelphia in 2002. The local, state, and Federal law enforcement Philadelphia area is ranked 1st in the nation leaders in the states of Pennsylvania and in the number of marijuana related ED New Jersey. Specifically, this HIDTA's area mention per 100,000 population in 2002. of responsibility includes the cities of Methamphetamine poses an increasing Philadelphia and Camden respectively. A threat to the PC HIDTA region. Although unified effort among law enforcement and methamphetamine abuse is at low levels in prosecution agencies ensures a coordinated the PC HIDTA region, the availability and effort to reduce the impact of cocaine and production of the drug appears to be heroin distribution within the region. increasing. There was a total of 17 Coordinated activities extend throughout the methamphetamine related deaths in State of Pennsylvania and Southern New Philadelphia in 2002. Jersey. A total of twenty-three agencies participate in eleven HIDTA Initiatives. 112 The PCHIDTA Strategy is a coordinated, participated in training Philadelphia Police four tiered operation; Street-level/open-air Department personnel to do appropriate drug markets, Mid-level suppliers, databases searches with DIGS supplied by Interdiction and Money Laundering. Street- PCHIDTA. The goal of the program level and open-air drug markets are continues to be removing firearms from the investigated by the Drug Violence street and reduce crime and the associated Intelligence Initiative in Philadelphia and violence. Operation Sunburst in Camden. These Initiatives are supported by the Criminal The ISC will continue to do inquires and Conspiracy Task Force, the Centerpiece appropriate case support on all shootings Task Force, Major Drug Heroin Task Force incidents in the City of Philadelphia. The and the Violent Crimes/Fugitive Task Force newly implemented Shooting Report with an investigative purpose to determine Database created by Philadelphia/Camden mid-level suppliers, seize weapons and HIDTA will facilitate this responsibility. locate the most dangerous drug/homicide This report will be reviewed for possible fugitives. The Interdiction Initiative is connections to PPD INCT data and to active composed of four task forces with an cases both at the FBI and those currently investigative focus on drug trafficking entered into SPIN. This shooting database organizations using the Philadelphia will be accessible over DIGS. International Airport, the Philadelphia/Camdell Seaport, area Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA will continue hotels/motels and parcel delivery services to to analyze drug anests through the Hidden import drugs and export proceeds. Traffickers program and how certain enforcement programs may be impacting on drug traffickers and changing the patterns of drug sales on non-resident buyers and The Suspect Pointer Index Network (SPIN) sellers. database allows for real-time sharing of The ISC has in place a case support-tracking intelligence information between PCHIDTA database. This database tracks any agencies. Officers at the Watch Center assistance given to participating agencies for access the SPIN database and search the their investigations. In 2004 the ISC is in systern by entering specific perpetrator the process of creating procedures to review /address locations into the database. If the value of the intelligence given to each another agency has an active investigation agency. This new procedure will restilt in on the target it will come tip as a hit. the evaluation of our case support thereby Participating agencies can access SPIN customizing the intelligence to the particular through PCHIDTA's network. The Watch agency's needs. Over 1,900 case supports Center expects to support member agencies. are projected. Over 4,500 SPIN entries are projected for 2004. In 2004, the Philadelphia FB1 together with the HIDTA developed a process for The Philadelphia Police Departnlent has participating agencies to electronically initiated a new gun recovery program. The request FBI file searches. This process that new program involves giving monetary uses an ACCESS database located on the rewards to citizens who provide information, HIDTA computer network, provides a direct which results in an arrest involving a link between the ISC and FBi. This process firearm. The I~hiladelphia/Camden is waiting formal approval by FBI HDQTS HI DTA's watch center personnel and implenlentation is expected in 2004. If 113 successful it will be expanded to other select &gnieae ements,:.ede police units and Federal agencies. Search criteria and results will remain in the Joint Camden Task Force Camden, NJ -- database for continual availability under DIGS as a pointer system. The following investigation was spearheaded by the Initiative with Existing databases already on the HIDTA significant contribution from Group 11 of computer network will be reviewed to the PC HIDTA, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands ensure that key fields i.e. names, addresses, HIDTA, and the Puerto Rico State Police. identification numbers (FBI #, SID, PPN, In November 2003, initiative detectives SSAN etc) are as complete as possible for completed an investigation regarding the each record and that each record has been Benitez DTO. The cocaine and heroin that thoroughly "mapped" under DIGS for the organization was controlling supplied maximum analytic capability. This will seven drug sets. Results of that investigation insure that critical intelligence is not being included the arrest of 17 participants of the lost, and that full integration of data sources organization as well as a large quantity of is being accomplished. 100% compliance drugs, weapons, and cash. The projected. organizational structure of the operation Par. op tmg ge c4es from top to bottom was completely dismantled including 2 Puerto Rican Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & suppliers of the drugs. The organization had Firearms, Drug Enforcement an elaborate re-canning system wherein the Administration, Federal Bureau of Puerto Rican source of supply of the cocaine Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, and heroin would secrete bulk quantities of Joint Task Force Six, U.S. Attorney's the drugs within vacuum-packed cans of Office, Immigration and Customs food. The sealed drugs were immersed in Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, and the food, rendering it virtually undetectable. U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The sealed cans were then shipped from Puerto Rico to various residential locations State/Local: Pennsylvania Bureau of in Camden. Information on the shipments Narcotics Investigations, New Jersey was gleaned via an electronic surveillance National Guard, New Jersey State Police, that was being conducted by the Initiative. Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Pennsylvania National Guard, Criminal Conspiracy Squad - ATF Pennsylvania State Police, Camden County, Philadelphia, PA ...... New Jersey Prosecutor's Office, Camden One organization has been Police Department, Philadelphia District disrupted/dismantled with 8 defendants Attorney's Office, Philadelphia Police indicted and arrested on various Federal Department, and University of Pennsylvania Firearms and Narcotics violations. This Police Department. OCDETF investigation, Operation High Rider, was investigated jointly with DEA & FBI and was initiated after community complaints of violence associated with a methamphetimine trafficking group operating in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. This group was supported by the Warlocks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. 114 This investigation is continuing and a total of 32 kilograms of cocaine secreted in additional arrests are expected. computer towers. The parcels were addressed to an individual at a mail drop in Investigations into two other drug Philadelphia, PA. Further investigation organizations continue, as they are long term revealed that two more parcels were waiting in basis. One of those continuing for this individual at the mail drop. These investigations, OCDETF case "Operation two parcels had arrived the day before and Fastbreak" has yielded, to date, 20 were immediately seized by agents. A defendants as the case is proceeding towards controlled delivery of the three parcels was the upper levels of the organization. To conducted with the assistance of the date, there have been 25 related shootings Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the that have been matched through ballistics HIDTA Mass Transportation Squad. After imaging that is attributed to the group. the subject returned to his hotel room with the parcels, he opened one of the parcels and Parcel Squad - USPIS Philadelphia, PA -- was subsequently arrested. In November 2003, a significant cocaine trafficking organization was disrupted by the HIDTA Parcel Squad. Postal Inspectors interdicted three UPS parcels in Philadelphia, PA that were shipped from Oakland, CA. A federal search warrant was obtained for the parcels and found to contain 115 General. ~nfo~ematiO~: Fear, af De~ig~.a~io,~z. 1994 GeogroV&£~ are~ ofl~e,spotz.s&ilitg,, P.-~erta R&o,-The Islands of Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra. U, S, ff&gi~ 1s,!U~ds,:~ The Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John. Cocz.lfa_e_t.." (787) 474-8710 and [email protected] ~is, s.Ne S~ate=me~t: In support of the National Drug Control The PR/USVI HIDTA was designated in Strategy, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin 1994 as transshipment HIDTA. Drug Islands HIDTA participating agencies trafficking Organizations (DTOs) account creates intelligence driven task forces for trafficking from 110 - 150 metric tons of comprised of federal, state and local law cocaine from Colombia using multiple enforcement agents aimed at eliminating or transportation methods. Over 70% of it is reducing drug trafficking and its associated destined for the US, Canada and Europe. consequences within tile domestic Colombian cocaine & heroin traffickers environment. continue to dominate the supply, the Dominican have become smugglers and developed countries are the main consumers. Prefened method for trafficking is by sea means, ranging from "go-fast" boats to small island-hopping freighters. The two principal narcotics smuggled from Colombia are cocaine and heroin, and some marijuana. Marijuana is primarily imported from Mexico through CONUS and other Caribbean islands while European ecstasy is trafficked through Dominican Republic. 116 Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands drug poorest countries in the Caribbean, and its consumption is estimated at about 20-30% strong ties to Spanish-speaking culture, has of the drugs transshipped, while the made it an ideal place for the drug business. predominant drug of choice is cocaine. The Annually the area hosts over 2,500,000 PR/USVI region is very attractive to DTOs cruise ship passengers and the PR airport due to the fact that is a U. S. major processes over 9,500,000 visitors. These commercial port, has the strongest regional high tourism/transient visitors are economy and, moreover, its proximity to the contributory factors that complicate both, smweillance and interdiction. the drug threat there are 16 (sixteen) Initiatives: three smuggling interdiction, The geophysical composition of the islands, nine investigative, one regional intelligence, more than 50 small islets and cays in the and three regional support Initiatives. USVI alone, also facilitates clandestine activities and correspondingly makes it All operations are based in solid developed difficult to patrol. The more than 363 miles intelligence to focus law enforcement of coastline in Puerto Rico and the 105 miles coverage, constant interdiction activities, in USVI make it ideal for coast smuggling uncover communication links, investigate activities. Being only 380 miles flom South criminal activities, dismantling money America coast and having a high volume of laundering schemes and detecting new commercial containerized shipments, criminal trends. All of them converging to facilitates narcotics transshipment. develop a systematic joint approach designed to reduce the opportunity to Strateg~ Ah~gra,¢~; conduct successful drug trafficking operations. This joint approach is used to An Executive Board comprised of 10 federal reduce the AOR's attractiveness as a and 10 state/local agency heads (16 fiom PR preferred Caribbean staging and and 4 from USVI) implement joint law transshipment route to and flom CONUS for enforcement initiatives, allocates resources illegal drugs, illegal firearms, illegal aliens and prioritizes operations to ensure a and drug proceeds money laundering. joint/commingled interactive approach, more information sharing, innovative drug Initiatives approved to implement the interdiction techniques, and prioritizing PR/USVI HIDTA 2004-05 Strategy include: criminal investigations. Most important, the Board annually reviews each Initiative goals . Air & Marine Interdiction Program and outconaes/outputs to enhance (FURA) - tiffs PR Police Departnaent led performance and works to achieve national initiative provides COlnmand, control, supply reduction strategic goals. Two Case communications, coordination & Management Comnaittees (one for PR and intelligence (C4&I) to assigned forces one for USVI) coordinates all investigative wlaich allow for marine, air and ground eftbrts to ensure coordination and interdiction within the coastline of information sharing among participating Puerto Rico. agencies. Both are comprised of the . Bhte Lightnhtg Strike Force - this US initiatives supervisors and federal and state Virgin Islands Police Deparmaent led prosecutors. Over 815 state, local and task tbrce implenlent maritime federal law enlbrcement and support interdiction efforts in the surrounding personnel are co-located, commingled, and waters of the USVI to close the entry of strategically positioned across the threat contraband, tile inflow of cocaine, heroin spectrum to enhance coverage within the Area of Responsibility (AOR). To address 117 and marijuana from being utilized as a J/ transshipment point to CONUS. . DEA Forensic Laboratory - this DEA led initiative provides technical forensic support, ensure efficient and effective evidence analysis/processing, and prompt availability of expert witnesses to support successful prosecutions. . hlvestigative Support Center (ISC) - lead by FBI this task force provides . HIDTA Training Initiative - this USCG strategic, operations and tactical lead task force recently modified, is information, deconfliction services responsible to train the law enforcement through coordination of intelligence community to enhance the quality of support sharing among all law drug related investigations, strengthen enforcement agencies within the HIDTA the local/state law enforcement agencies, and graphically organize investigative increase the conviction rate of drug information. By acquiring information, trafficking related crime defendants at processing it into meaningful data and the state level and increase the safety of disseminating intelligence it supports all law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico H1DTA subsystems and task forces. and the United States Virgin Islands. . Management and Coordination . HIDTA /HIFCA Money Laundering Support hdtiative (MCSI) - led by Initiative - led by ICE this task force contracted civilians this initiative conducts complex investigations and provides management, administrative, interdiction of money laundering coordination, and logistical support organizations and schemes related to structure for all HIDTA initiatives. DTOs. Its purpose is to detect/interdict/ MCSI serves as a facilitator to the dismantle DTOs smuggling and Executive Board decision making laundering illegally obtained cash process, program implementation, proceeds from their operations. ensure cost-effectiveness, maintaining resources accountability and control over . Fajardo Major Organization all programs, property and funds. Investigations - led by DEA this initiative conducts long-term complex 10. Ponce Major Organization investigations geared to dismantle Investigations led by DEA this sophisticated DTOs operating in the East initiative conducts long-range complex area of Puerto Rico, including offshore investigations geared to dismantle municipalities of Vieques and Culebra sophisticated DTOs operating in the islands. Southwest region of PR. . High Seas Narcotics / Migrant 11. Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force - led Trafficking Operations - led by USCG by USMS this initiative arrest narcotic this initiative address regional illegal criminals associated with smuggling, narcotic and illegal migrant trafficking distribution, money laundering and street through 24 hour investigation/ gang drug related activities throughout interdiction by means of sea and air over the AOR. 12 nautical miles. 118 ve tigat&e Suppar Cen e=r : SCI .fl e::a Comprised of 52 intelligence analysts and agents from most of the HIDTA participating agencies, receives information • =_ ! > and delivers accurate and timely intelligence on drug related criminal activity to t / initiatives and law enforcement agencies (LEA). Specifics include: Communication 12. Safe Neighborhoods Initiative - This links to allow sharing of timely and relevant newly created initiative identify, target, information among all operators of the law investigate and prosecute drug enforcement community. It fosters trafficking criminal organizations, information sharing among LEAs in an dismantle/disrupt their operational unbiased working environment to all law establishment as it relates to the use of enforcement components: State/Local and firearms during the commission of Federal. Provide one central location for all violent crimes associated with drug LEAs intelligence services to base initiative trafficking throughout Puerto Rico and participants commingling in a personal U.S. Virgin Islands. It engages information sharing environment. organizations that supply illegal filearms to organizations that use them to exert Tile ISC serves as a central mechanisnl to violent control over the difl'erent collect, organize and disseminate residential conanaunities in the infornlation as final intelligence product Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the using the Racketeering Enterprise U.S. Virgin Islands. Investigation (RICO) concept. Analysts, 13. St. Croix Major Organization provided by FB1, DEA, USBOP, USCS, Investigations - led by DEA this USARSO and PRNG uncovers links by initiative conducts long-range complex serving instant, accurate, organized and investigations geared to dismantle clean intelligence products, meet agent- sophisticated DTOs operating in St. informants requirements, which are then Croix. transformed into investigative or law enforcement operations. Using advance 14. San Juan Major Organization technology databases, advanced hardware, Investigations - led by DEA tiffs latest software and ultinaate communication initiative conducts long-range complex devices like Title Ill (Til/S2 system), investigations geared to dismantle training the force and DEA Forensic sophisticated DTOs operating in the Laboratory support, accelerates and North West region of PR. enhances the investigative capacities. It serves as one site information gathering and 15. St, Thomas Major Organization dissemination structure that organize the Investigations - led by DEA this necessary evidence for successful initiative conducts long-term complex prosecution and conviction of criminals. investigations geared to dismantle Uncover criminal targets of opportunity, sophisticated DTOs operating in St. provide deconfliction of investigations and Thonaas, VI. assure the dismantling of organizations by allowing for the highest quality and timely intelligence products and identifying DTOs resources purchased with drug proceeds. 119 P rg&ip ting A!gen.cies.t effectiveness of judicial and local law enforcement institutions, and reducing the Federal: Drug Enforcement Agency, introduction of drugs in the Caribbean. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Totally focused in the joint/commingled Federal Bureau of Investigations, (Chair) investigative approach, this HIDTA have hnmigration and Customs Enforcement, US grown to 91% of maturity in the PMEs and Coast Guard, Internal Revenue Service, over 92% on the GPRA requirements United States Attorney's Office Puerto resulting in better investigations. The Rico, United States Attorney's Office - PR/USVI HIDTA Money Laundering Virgin Islands, United States Coast Guard, Initiative /HIFCA have indirectly and and United States Marshal Service effectively contributed to the National counter-money laundering efforts. State: Drug Control Office PR, "Operation Double hnpact" was an Department of Justice - PR, Department of investigation that revealed that Roberto Justice - VI, Puerto Rico National Guard, FERRARIO and his associates laundered Virgin Islands National Guard, Puerto Rico approximately $32 million in narcotics Department of Corrections, Puerto Rico Department of Treasury, Puerto Rico Police Department, (Vice-Chair) PR Special Investigations Bureau, and Virgin Islands Police Department &gni],ieant, e&levem en s:, We have achieved extraordinary success in proceeds through Banco Popular de PR intelligence, operational and organizational during the period of July 1995 to December developments since our inception. 1998. Additionally, an IRS investigation Beginning in FY 1996 as a "Gateway" targeting Jairo de Jesus VALLEJO- HIDTA, we had twelve barely staffed and JURADO which resulted in an indictment in equipped squads comprising one June 2000, revealed that from late 1998 Interdiction, one Intelligence, eight through 2000 (post Ferrario), Vallejo used Investigative and two Support initiatives. By two accounts at BPPR to launder nearly $2 FY 1997, PR/USVI HIDTA had million of narcotics proceeds. This dismantled/disrupted twelve organizations investigation, which encompassed that were mostly operating state/local and FERRARIO and VALLEJO criminal cases, national. The first threat assessment was expanded to include a financial analysis developed through the intelligence initiative of approximately eleven- (11) accounts caused participating agencies to develop a maintained at BPPR by Dominican Republic greater involvement in investigations, assign money services business (MSB) that appear additional resources and participate in joint to have launder billions of dollars in and commingled operations. By the end of criminally derived proceeds through BPPR. CY 2001, 16 initiatives have yielded over The investigation proved that the 250 DTOs/MLOs dismantled/disrupted. corporation, including the Board of Our Operational-TEMPO since CY 2002 Directors and other managers, had has been driven by intelligence and knowledge of the money laundering activity improving our capability to conduct and were willfully blind to the activity. On investigative and interdiction activities, the January 15, 2003, the U.S. Department of 120 Justice (DO J) and BPPR entered into a Cooperative International Support: Deferred Prosecution Agreement. Pursuant PU/USVI HIDTA is been asked to brief to a forfeiture clause in the agreement, other countries joint law enforcement/ BPPR paid $21.6 million dollars that were military groups on the HIDTA concept. deposited into the Treasury Forfeiture Fund. These groups have demonstrated interest in using the HIDTA joint concept at Reaching Out To Other H[DTAs: The their countries as a way to deter drugs PR/USVI HIDTA has promote the trafficking within their AORs. counter-drug efforts and coordinated support from/to the Caribbean countries and Florida, Washington/Baltimore, New York/New Jersey, and El Paso HIDTAs among others. Cooperation in investigative efforts and information sharing has been critical in the success for case solving. 121 enera uf e atian,: Feae of ~e:~igoatiO~: 1996 ~eograp~ie Area.s; of Respons~ihi!ity/z. ColOradO.': Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Garfield, Grand, Jefferson, LaPlata, Larimer, Mesa, Moffatt, Pueblo, Routt and Weld counties Ma!~ta~at Cascade, Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, and Yellowstone Utah't Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Washington and Weber counties g/:yo~i~g: Albany, Campbell, Laramie, Natrona, Sweetwater and Uinta counties ~on!aet~ (303) 671-2180 Miss& Sta• t eme t,, T reat A:b tract The mission of Rocky Mountain HIDTA Methamphetamine continues to pose the (RMHIDTA) is to support the national drug greatest threat in Rocky Mountain HIDTA's control strategy of reducing drug use in this four-state region. Methamphetamine abuse nation. Specifically, the RMHIDTA and trafficking are associated with financial, ultimate mission is to facilitate cooperation property, and violent crimes throughout and coordination among federal, state and Colorado, Utah, Montana and Wyoming. local drug enforcement efforts to enhance Mexican drug trafficking organizations combating drug trafficking organizations (MDTOs) produce, transport, and distribute locally, regionally and nationally. This most of the methamphetamine in Colorado, mission is accomplished through Wyoming and Utah. Methalnphetamine intelligence-driven joint multi-agency production also occurs in Montana and collocated drug task forces sharing places a tremendous burden on law information and working cooperatively with enforcement resources. other drug enforcement initiatives including interdiction. Cocaine represents a significant threat to Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Criminal groups and individuals that distribute and abuse cocaine often engage in violent acts, especially assault, assault on law enforcement, and homicide. MDTOs are the 122 primary transporters and distributors of Diverted pharmaceuticals pose a concern to cocaine. The threat to ~M,,nmna ~ + posed by Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and pose a crack cocaine is greater than that posed by growing threat in Montana. The most powdered cocaine. Although violence is commonly diverted pharmaceuticals include infrequently associated with cocaine opioids (narcotic analgesics) such as distribution and abuse in Montana, African Dilaudid, Fentanyl, OxyContin, Percocet, American street gangs that distribute Percodan, Vicodin, and sedative hypnotics cocaine in Billings are known to commit (benzodiazepines) such as Valium and violent crimes such as drive-by shootings Xanax. Stimulants such as Adderall, and assault in other cities in the United Dexedrine, and Ritalin also are commonly States. diverted in Montana. Heroin, specifically Mexican black tar and, S~ategy, Ah<~raet: to a lesser extent, Mexican brown powdered, poses a moderate but increasing threat to Rocky Mountain H1DTA includes seventeen Colorado and Utah. MDTOs and criminal counties in Colorado, five in Montana, six in groups are the primary transporters and Utah and six in Wyoming. The governing distributors of Mexican black tar and brown body or Executive Board is made tip of powdered heroin. federal, state and local criminal justice system executives fl'om the four states. This Marijuana poses a significant threat to all Board employs the director and other states and continues to be the most readily administrative staff housed in Denver to available and abused illicit drug within the oversee the day-to-day operation of the four-state region. Most of the marijuana in HIDTA. all states is produced, transported, and distributed by MDTOs. Highly potent "BC Rocky Mountain HIDTA is broken down Bud" from Canada is increasingly available into five subcomponents, which include in Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. Administration, Training, Intelligence, Cannabis is also cultivated in the states, both Investigation and Interdiction. Each of these indoors and outdoors. Cannabis cultivators subcomponents consists of individual sometimes employ armed guards, guard initiatives developed in order to address the dogs, and booby traps to deter civilian and identified threat and carry out the mission. law enforcement discovery of cannabis crops. The Investigative subcomponent consists of thirty multi-agency collocated drug task The drugs often referred to collectively as forces strategically placed throughout the "club drugs" pose an increasing threat to region. The Interdiction subcomponent Colorado and Utah. In particular, MDMA is consists of the Colorado State Patrol readily available in these states. Interdiction Program, Utah Department of Halhlcinogens pose a concern in Montana Public Safety Criminal Interdiction Team, and are abused primarily by high school and Wyoming Highway Patrol Interdiction college-age students. LSD poses an Program and the Denver Metro Interdiction increasing threat to Colorado and Utah. Task Force. The Administration, Training Psilocybin is grown in Colorado and is the and Intelligence subcomponents are most widely abused hallucinogen in the classified as support initiatives and service state. the needs of drug law enforcement and prosecution. All five subconlponents are closely related and interact on a regular 123 basis in addressing the threat. Rocky tactical deconfliction. Tactical deconfliction Mountain HIDTA supports a number of is offered to agencies located in eleven major drug trafficking organization task Colorado counties. Research is currently forces, gang task force, financial task force, underway to expand the Watch Center and the newly-developed Highway Patrol services into projected areas of need Network which is a collaboration of throughout the Rocky Mountain HIDTA Colorado, Utah and Wyoming Highway region. Patrols. The ISC supports and facilitates drug These initiatives include nineteen different pointer-index information sharing between federal agencies involving 115 federal the four Rocky Mountain HIDTA states and personnel; fourteen state agencies involving continues to work on direct connectivity 1,145 state personnel; 118 local agencies between ISC support functions and the involving 322 local personnel; and 4 state investigative initiatives. The intelligence National Guard Units involving 11 National subsystem includes activities and satellite Guard personnel. The Investigation and analytical support functions through the Interdiction subcomponents have achieved Wyoming Division of Criminal success in meeting the projected overall Investigation, Montana Division of Criminal outputs. Investigation and the Utah Department of Public Safety. nvestigative Support Center:: Part ipatt g Agenc s: The Rocky Mountain HIDTA Investigative Support Center is the central hub for the Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Investigative and Interdiction Firearms, Bureau of Immigration & subcomponents. The Investigative Support Customs Enforcement Under Department of Center is made up of a combination of Homeland Security, Department of federal, state and local personnel primarily Agriculture, Drug Enforcement analysts to assist drug task forces and units Administration, Federal Bureau of in their investigative efforts. The Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Investigative Support Center has a satellite U.S. Attorney's Office (Colorado, Utah and center in Salt Lake City, Utah and Wyoming), U.S. Marshals Service, U. S. coordinates with the Wyoming DCI center Postal Inspections Service and U.S. Customs in Cheyenne. Service. The Case Analytical Unit provides State: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, analytical support to the various HIDTA Colorado National Guard, Colorado State task forces in pursuit of their investigations. Patrol, University of Colorado Police This support includes wire intercepts, PEN Department, Colorado Department of registers, graphs, charts, telephone toll Corrections, Montana Division of Criminal analysis, document analysis, geo-mapping, Investigation, Montana Department of link analysis, statistical analysis, subject Corrections, Montana National Guard, Utah background reports, and operational briefing Adult Parole Division, University of Utah books. The majority of the major Police Department, Utah Attorney General's investigations that have national impact Office, Utah Department of Corrections, have had an ISC analyst assigned to the Utah Department of Public Safety including case. Through the Watch Center function of Bureau of State Investigations and Utah the ISC, Rocky Mountain HIDTA Highway Patrol, Utah National Guard, enforcement agencies are provided real-time 124 Wyoming Division of Criminal Cheyenne, Douglas, Evanston, Gillette, Investigation and Wyoming Highway Patrol Green River, Laramie, Sheridan, Torrington, and Wheatland Police Departments. Local: Colorado: The 1st, 4 th, 9 th, 11 th, 13 th, 14 th, 17 m, and 19 m Judicial Districts Attorneys' Significant Aeh{evements:: Offices; Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Garfield, Grand, Jefferson, LaPlata, o Established first federal, state and local Larimer, Mesa, Moffatt, Pueblo, Routt, Denver Metro drng task force of 42 Teller, and Weld Cotinties Sheriff's Offices; officers and 2 prosecutors collocated and Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, commingled. Broomfield, Carbondale, Colorado Springs, o Started 6 collocated/commingled drug Commerce City, Craig, Denver, Durango, task forces that were not in existence. Englewood, Erie, Evans, Federal Heights, o Initiated the first collocated/commingled Fort Collins, Fountain, Garfield, Glendale, task force in the tri-state area to solely Glenwood Springs, Golden, Grand Junction, target money laundering and financial Greeley, Greenwood Village, Lafayette, aspects of drug trafficking. Lakewood, Littleton, Louisville, Loveland, o Helped facilitate the standardizing of all Manitou Springs, Northglenn, Pueblo, Rifle, drug enforcement in Wyoming tinder the Rio Blanco, Sheridan, Steamboat Springs, Regional Enforcement Team concept. Thornton, Westminster, Wheat Ridge and o Assisted in facilitating a consolidated Woodland Park Police Departments. statewide Utah methanaphetanline program including officers, analysts, Utah. Salt Lake County District Attorney's prosecutors and forensic all working Office; Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and together as a team. This resulted in a Washington Counties Sheriff's Offices; three-year decrease in clan lab seizures. American Fork, Bountiful, Clearfield, Kaysville, Layton, Mapleton, Midvale, o Began the first drug K-9 programs in all Murray City, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Provo, three states highway patrol departments. Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Salt Lake City, o Created the first statewide fugitive Spanish Fork, Springville, St. George, West location task force in Colorado. Jordan, West Valley, Woods Cross, Pleasant o Rocky Mountain H IDTA programs Grove, Lehi, Mapleton and Salem Police increased the number of drug trafficking Depamnents; Salt Lake International Airport organizations disrupted/dismantled by Police; Bayfield Marshal's Office 15%, arrests by 44% and drug seizures by 30% and have seen a decrease in the Montana." Cascade, Flathead, Gallatin, number of clandestine labs. Lewis and Clark, Teton, Yellowstone, Lewis o Helped foster the coordination of over and Clark, Missoula Counties Sheriff's 321 separate investigations with other Offices; Billings, Great Falls, Helena, H i DTA regions. Kalispell, Laurel, Missoula, and Whitefish o Trained approximately 1,700 officers in Police Departments. 47 training classes. The only HIDTA to develop its own Two-week Basic Drug Wyoming. Laramie, Natrona and Investigations School, Clan Lab Safety Sweetwater Counties District Attorney's Course, Street Survival Spanish, and Offices; Canlpbell, Carbon, Laramie, Drug Unit Commanders Course, all are Natrona, Sheridan, Sweetwater, and Uinta POST certified. First HIDTA to host ofl"- Counties Sheriff's Offices; Casper, site Federal Law IEnforcement Analyst 125 Training (FLEAT), a DEA analyst Initiated and sponsored the first HIDTA course. ISC Manager's Meeting. o Cooperation with the National Drug o Responsible for the ONDCP/CTAC Intelligence Center including housing radio interoperability pilot project and its two NDIC field specialists. success. o Sponsored the first and ongoing federal, e Work closely with Montana authorities state and local Drug Unit Commanders to bring them into RMHIDTA. Assisted quarterly meetings for training, problem with the threat assessment, budget and resolution and information sharing. forming appropriate task forces. Increased use of pointer name index o Connected Utah's pointer name index system in each state by 150% and (ULEIN) with RISS.NET. In the process responsible for unanimous agreement of connecting Colorado and Wyoming. among agencies for mandated use. • Established a methamphetamine ® Helped facilitate establishment of the coordinator's position in coordination Colorado Drug Investigators Association with the National Chemical Initiative, who set up their first annual conference. which facilitated passage of a strong ® Established tactical deconfliction watch precursor/chemical law in Colorado. center and secured unanimous agreement ® Facilitated passage of the Drug for mandated use. Endangered Children's law in Colorado ® Developed a comprehensive policy and and helped establish Colorado coalition procedure manual that was requested of drug endangered children. and distributed to over 19 HIDTAs. . Established a satellite Investigative o Developed the Rocky Mountain Support Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Highway Patrol Network to foster tri- state coordination and cooperation. 126 5 4 ~ear of Desigt!at&n,; 1990 Geograph& Areas of gespat~sihili(v: F!ariila:: Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Pahn Beach Counties C.at~tact: (954) 430-4906 Major drug trafficking operations - cocaine, M'TS.&ee, Smeeme ,t:, heroin, marijuana, MDMA, and diverted The mission of South Florida HIDTA is to pharmaceuticals are all concentrated heavily enhance and facilitate the coordination of in the South Florida area. Cocaine alone is a South Florida's drug control efforts among multibillion dollar criminal enterprise federal, state, and local law enforcement orchestrated by international, regional and agencies in order to eliminate or reduce drug local criminal enterprises. The other major trafficking and related money laundering regional threat drugs - heroin, MDMA, and and violence and their harmful marijuana - represent similar criminal consequences in South Florida and other ventures of near equal proportion in the regions of the United States. region. Tb~r,ea.e Ah~ggaee:: The South Florida HIDTA region is located in the critical United States gateway flom Florida is currently the 4 u' most populous Latin America and the Caribbean It's state and is projected to become 3 'd in the geographic area is divided into foul counties nation. The region includes the Miami-Fort - Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Lauderdale metropolis, the 5 ill most Beach. populous metropolitan region of the United States. The South Florida region remains The area is a contiguous metropolitan one of the major illicit drug centers in tim corridor along the Atlantic Ocean. It United States. includes South Florida's three major international airports, three major deep- 127 DRUG SEIZURES Cocaine Cocaine Heroin Heroin Marijuana Marijuana Agency 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 (Kg) (Kg) (Kg) (Kg) (Kg) (Kg) ICE/CBP 20,320.4 12,912.6 440.2 497.1 15,282.2 14,897.1 DEA 7,297.8 6,367.7 186.1 125.2 1,818.0 1,019.5 FBI 4,394.4 871.7 21.1 31.6 0.1 501.8 USCG 3,334.0 4,394.0 0.0 4,671.6 1,223.1 Monroe County Sheriff 93.8 75.7 0.0 0.0 7.9 8.0 Key West P.D. 1,645.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 1,308.6 215.2 Miami-Dade P.D. 2,152.9 3,665.1 30.0 50.0 5,399.5 7,492.8 Miami P.D. 301.4 315.7 3.3 25.5 270.0 504.5 Broward County Sheriff 4,157.5 1,914.0 46.6 22.0 3,576.4 2,982.0 Fort Lauderdale P.D. 828.0 2.7 2.0 0.5 134.0 84.0 Palm Beach Sheriff 76.5 591.8 0.2 2.5 864.8 1,241.0 All Other Agencies 1,916.3 14.2 11,920.0 Total 44,601.9 33,027.7 729.5 768.6 33,333.0 42,089.0 water international seaports and an efficient United States and European markets. In ground-based network that includes well- addition to the South Florida area, the drugs developed interstate highway, rail, and other are transshipped to other areas to include transportation systems. New York and New Jersey in the northeast and numerous states in the Southwest and The South Florida drug threat consists of the Central United States. following major drugs, each with its significant regional and international money The South Florida HIDTA Initiatives laundering activities: identified a total of 255 drug trafficking organizations for CY 2003; there were 339 • Colombian-supplied cocaine and disruptions and 143 DTOs were dismantled. heroin These drug trafficking and money laundering organizations represent the • Crack cocaine known threat organizations that are - European produced MDMA operating in the South Florida HIDTA region. All are considered national and/or . Jamaican, Mexican, Canadian and international in scope. local marijuana Strategy hstract: • Diverted Pharmaceuticals The tri-county area of the South Florida HIDTA represents part of one federal Colombian cocaine and heroin shipments district, the Southern District of Florida. continue to arrive in South Florida from Within it, each federal agency has a regional Colombia and the Caribbean islands. These leader who represents his organization and same drugs also arrive directly from other jurisdiction, and ensures that his personnel South American countries, including pursue their agency's mission while they Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela. The drugs coordinate with other law enforcement arriving in South Florida include major organizations. Similarly, the state, county quantities earmarked for delivery to other and municipal law enforcement agencies use 128 the authority of their jurisdictions to carry violence in the furtherance of these criminal out their missions in overlapping geographic activities. areas. HIDTA-participating agencies submit annual proposals for multi-agency initiatives nv¢,sttg t v e Support Center: to address drug trafficking and related The SFLHIDTA Intelligence Center money laundering and violence identified by (SFLHIC) is a multi-agency investigative these agencies and in the HIDTA's Regional support center that provides analytical Threat Assessment. The proposals are assistance through specialized intelligence grouped into task force initiatives instead of for law enforcement agencies in South single agency programs. Once reviewed by a Florida. The Center provides actionable subcommittee and approved by the South intelligence through target research, Florida HIDTA Executive Board, collocated organization analysis, and development. task forces that strategically attack criminal Direct case support is available to more than systems and target organizations implement 100 local, state, and federal law enforcement nntlatlves. agencies in Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties The SFLHIC is The HIDTA Executive Board includes eight designed to take lnaximum advantage of federal and eight state and local today's state-of-the-art information representatives. In FY04, it is chaired by technology such as the H IDTA hmanet Base Major Gary Moore, Broward Sheriff's Information System (H1BIS), which is a Office, with a federal agency Principal Field web-based portal that links seven Officer Mr. Marcos D. ,lilninez, United subsystems into one web environment. States Attorney, as vice chair. The chair, vice chair and all Executive Board members Para ipati.... g: A,genc " e s":.: are selected by their peers according to guidance fl'Oln ONDCP. The South Florida FEDERAL: ATF, CBP, DEA, FBI, HIDTA Director, Timothy D. Wagner, was Federal Bureau of Prisons, ICE, IRS, NDIC, nominated by the Executive Board and USAO, USBP, USCG, US Department of approved by the Director of ONDCP. The State, US Dept. of Defense, USPS, USSS HIDTA Director and Deputy Director, Joel STATE/LOCAL: Aventura PD, Bal Widell, provide day-to-day program Harbour PD, Broward SherifPs Office, management, brokering and support to the Coral Gables PD, Coral Springs PD, Davie initiatives approved by the Executive Board. PD, Florida City PD, Florida Dept. of Law He serves as a conduit for directives, policy Enforcenlent, Florida Highway Patrol, and related administrative information Florida National Guard, Fort Lauderdale required by ONDCP PD, Glades PD, Hallandale PD, Hialeah PD, Hollywood PD, Homestead PD, Indiancreek The South Florida HIDTA-participating PD, Key Biscayne PD, Key West PD, agencies focus on disrupting and Lauderhill PD, Lighthouse Point PD, dismantling international organizations and Margate PD, Medley PD, Miami Beach PD, conspiracies devoted to smuggling illicit Miami PD, Miami-Dade PD, Miramar PD, drugs into the United States and distributing Monroe County Sheriff's Office, N. Bay them throughout the country, as well as Village PD, N Miami PD, Pembroke Pines organizations involved in laundering the PD, Plantation PD, State Attorneys Office, profits of the illicit drug industry. They also Sunny Isles Beach PD, Sunrise PD. target organizations and individuals that use 129 &g~ie(~nt=~ ,* 4, ~eh~evemi , t, ents: seized $3.1 million in assets. In December 2003, an additional indictment was returned. Of the 85 new OCDETF investigations initiated in South Florida, 34 (40%) are by Operation Riptide has targeted multiple HIDTA initiatives Colombian Peso Brokers. During 2003, the initiative dismantled four significant money Miami Task Force Operation Capstone was laundering organizations, disrupted seven, initiated as a result of the prior MTF and seized almost $12 million in curtency. Operation Cornerstone investigation against Cali Cartel leadership in which 47,000 Operation Green Sweep, a Broward County kilograms of cocaine were seized. The HlDTA task force investigation targeting continuation of this investigation targets the businesses and individuals using the BMPE remaining leadership of the Call Cartel still to launder drug funds, has arrested 23 operating as a key drug trafficking subjects, seized $3,327,685, 19 kilos of organization. cocaine and dismantled 1 money laundering organization while disrupting 8 during 2003. During 2003 the investigation resulted in the In another investigation, the same task force indictment of the leaders of the notorious is targeting an importer/exporter who uses Call Cartel, 11 defendants, including the two commercial shipments to conceal narcotics founding members, brothers Miguel- and launders narcotics funds through various Rodriguez-Orejuela and Gilberto Rodriguez- businesses Orejuela. The indictment charges the laundering of $2.1 billion worth of drug Another task force focusing on outbound proceeds as well as narcotics trafficking movements of narcotics targeted a high level including smuggling and obstruction of organization. The investigation has yielded justice through multiple murders and the seizure of two large inbound shipments payoffs. Extraditions are anticipated in late of heroin and cocaine concealed in cargo 2004. Thus far, five subjects have been and large outbound shipments of cash taken into custody. concealed in cargo. During 2003 the task force seized $7 million in cash arrested 25 Operation Double Trouble, a long term individuals, dismantled 3 organizations and investigation targeting the Henao disrupted three. Organization which utilized the Black Market Peso Exchange, offshore banks, and VIOLENT CRIME: corporations to launder drug proceeds has arrested 60 defendants and seized 40 bank During 2003, overall violent crime rates for accounts to date. During 2003, a 30 count the South Florida HIDTA counties declined indictment was issued, charging 36 by approximately 3.6%. Although declining, individuals with money laundering and the following rates per 100,000 population narcotics-related charges. During August depict a serious problem for South Florida: 2003, 28 subjects were arrested. This was homicides 338, robberies 14,165, assaults recognized with an Outstanding Task Force 27,318, rapes 1,923, and burglaries 52,404. award by the Director, ONDCP in December 2003. Despite declines in the crime index totals, violent crime continues to be a serious Operation X targets three international drug concern for the South Florida community.. trafficking money laundering organizations. To date the investigation has dismantled two Drug-related street level violence is organizations, arrested 20 subjects and common. The daily newspapers report 130 shootings of innocent children who were in Through this and several other significant the wrong place at the wrong time when investigations, GSF made 42 federal and 68 rival gang members confront each other over state arrests. They dismantled three violent drug turf. Street-level armed robberies are drug trafficking organizations. the most commonly reported violent crime. Kidnappings occur every day by addicts Operation STOP dismantled an operation robbing for money to purchase drugs. Drug supplying the AUC and FARC with owners who are robbed of their product and numerous assault rifles. Records indicate its profit buy murder contracts. Intimidation approximately 600-700 weapons sold in the and retaliation are by-products of tile drug past. A shipment of 50 assault rifles was trade; witnesses testifying at drug trials and seized subsequent to two controlled their relatives are threatened and intimidated deliveries to two sets of Colombian by violence. nationals. STOP also initiated Operation Destination Trinidad, targeting an In October 2002, Gang Strike Force organization funded by narcotics proceeds, investigators targeted the "Lincoln Fields trafficking assault rifles and silencers to an Gangsters" and their associates to dismantle extremist terrorist organization, Jamat et their drug distribution network operating in Muslimen. During 2003 the investigation, the North-Side District of Miami-Dade which is still ongoing, resulted in federal County. Over the next nine months, GSF prosecutions and seizure of assault type investigators conducted numerous weapons. Significant home invasion groups surveillances and identified 60 members of were successfully targeted throughout 2003, the gang and numerous associate members. resulting in tile dismantling of a total of 8 Undercover detectives purchased cocaine organizations, disruption of 19 and/or cannabis fiom "Lincoln Fields organizations, 91 an'ests, and seizure of 179 Gangsters" and their associates and made weapons. narcotics and fireanns arrests on 48 occasions. GSF investigators were able to document the organization's use of specific types of packaging designed to build brand loyalty. The investigation revealed that the subjects and their associates were directly responsible for or associated with over 300 crimes in Miami-Dade County. Most had an extensive criminal history including homicides, shootings, robberies, and countless cocaine and cannabis sales. In May, one member was shot by another member over accounting discrepancies at one of the organizations drug holes. On June 24, 2003 GSF prosecutors issued 33 warrants charging members and associates with drug trafficking and related crimes. To date, a total of 32 of the 33 gang members have been arrested. 131 Sou west Border fflDTA l.q j ~, tlNr,, Geeer ! :eybrmatiae: Fe.ar of D~¢sigcnatiOn: 1990 GeograpM~ ~reas of R¢~po~tis~ib~il/ity; ~riZo~g ~ Cochise, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma Counties. (520) 746-4426/4400 ~_~s~O~, Statemcn a primary threat is from major drug trafficking, money laundering groups, and To facilitate federal/state/local multi-agency street gangs that operate in Arizona and task forces and other partnerships to increase Mexico. the safety of Arizona's citizens, by substantially reducing drug trafficking, Arizona is considered a transshipment point money laundering, and drug-related crime for loads of drugs, primarily marijuana, and violence. cocaine, Mexican black tar heroin, and increasingly methamphetamine produced in Threat A;b tract; Mexico, destined for other areas in the U.S. Marijuana continues to be the most abused Arizona continues to be one of the fastest and trafficked drug in the state that serves as growing states in the nation. This rapid America's pipeline for Mexican marijuana. population growth continues to strain law Cocaine remains the second most abused enforcement resources. The region has six drug. Methamphetamine poses the most Customs land ports of entry, three of which significant policing problem statewide and are major ports, five designated international has replaced cocaine as the second most airports, and an excellent transportation popular drug of choice in several areas of infrastructure that is exploited by drug the state. It is the most abused stimulant traffickers. The two major metropolitan drug in Arizona. Heroin is the least abused areas in the HIDTA, Tucson and Phoenix, illicit drug in Arizona. Mexican black tar are primary distribution centers and drug heroin is the most common type of heroin transit areas with close proximity and easy available in Arizona. Ecstasy has become access to the Arizona-Sonora border. The an "acceptable" and trendy drug among 132 teens and young adults. Marijuana seizures related violence and property crime are in CY2003 were 911,854 pounds. This increasingly perpetrated by drug gangs and represents a 57% increase from CY 2002. abusers and threatens the safety of Arizona's citizens. Arizona Statewide Marijuana Seizures (metric tons) S~r~egegyAhatra¢~: 500 The Arizona HIDTA operates as an 400 extension of the Southwest Border HIDTA 300 and under the guidance of the Office of 200 National Drug Control Policy. Participating 100 agencies have their own missions, strategies, 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 and policies/procedures. The Arizona E]MJ 272.5 212.8 261.6 414.5 HIDTA Executive Committee (AHEC) provides the unity of effort and coordination to synchronize the HIDTA strategy as it Cocaine seizures dropped flom 7,540 targets the drug threat and reduces drug- pounds in CY 2002 to 6,347 pounds in CY related crime. The AHEC consists of 13 2003. Clandestine methamphetamine voting members, 5 local, 3 state, and 5 laboratory seizures decreased fiom 297 in federal. There is also one non-voting CY 2002 to 116 in CY 2003; however, member-JTF-6. The AHEC is a policy statewide seizures increased flom 639 making board that may empower pounds to 1,641 pounds on CY 2003. subcommittees to accomplish their Statewide naethamphetamine seizures in objectives. They review and approve annual Arizona have increased 160% since CY budget submissions and provide guidance to 2000. Increased numbers of seizures have the Arizona H IDTA staff. The Arizona occurred at the ports of entry and in traffic HIDTA provides the coordination umbrella stops. Heroin is routinely smuggled into the for all HIDTA initiatives and special United States through Arizona Ports of projects. Entry. Heroin seizures are down flom 15 pounds in CY 2002 to I I pounds in CY The AHEC has flmded 23 initiatives to 2003. Drug proceeds are smuggled flom exectite the HIDTA strategy and meet the Arizona to Mexico in bulk by vehicles, Performance Measures of commerce shipments, private and Effectiveness/Government Performance commercial aircraf't, and pedestrians. The Results Act targets and the ONDCP easy access to illicit drugs generates local Developmental Standards. Each initiative is community drug abuse problems throughout a multi-agency federal, state, and local the state. effort. All initiatives are collocated and commingled except in two instances where a Increased interdiction efforts have fl'ustrated large, diverse, rural environment does not the alien and narcotic smuggler. This has permit collocation. resulted in significant acts of aggression and violence toward law enforcement officials. The HIDTA counties each have one Drug trafficking and consumption in the "centerpiece" initiative (task force) that region inevitably lead to drug-related crime. serves that respective county with a In CY 2003 violent crime statistics for collocated or collaborative multi-agency homicides, robberies, aggravated task force directed at major drug case assaults, rapes, and property were tip. Drug- developnlent and drug smuggling. These ].~-~ .3.3 "centerpiece" task forces are essentially event deconfliction system NINJAS, and multi-dimensional to meet HIDTA program conducts research and development for guidance criteria. The remaining initiatives enhanced databases electronic connectivity augment the primary task forces by and analytical support systems. The providing specialized units to target money Intelligence Division is an Arizona laundering, drug-related violence, Department of Public Safety led federal, corruption, fugitive apprehension, state, and local initiative. The Intelligence surveillance expertise, training, demand Division provides all source intelligence, reduction, technical or intelligence support. trend and pattern analysis, analytical case support, and case deconfliction support to To accomplish these priorities, grant funding the HIDTA initiatives and other appropriate is administered to 23 initiatives. These joint users. To support these efforts, the federal, state, and local initiatives are Intelligence Division has access to over 36 organized seamlessly into counter-drug databases. They use the Geographic systems. Each system focuses on a counter- Information System Arcview to provide drug imperative. The systems are predictive intelligence as well as graphically intelligence, interdiction, investigation, display drug, currency, weapons, and other prosecution, demand reduction and support. seizure data. The ISC provides this graphic display through COBIJA WebShare to over a¢estigative Sup#art Center:. 1,500 vetted users throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, during '03 At the direction of the ONDCP, the Arizona SIPRNET/ADNET connectivity was HIDTA Executive Committee has established and functioning as an implemented an interdiction, intelligence information resource and secure e-mail and investigative based HIDTA Center in resource. Collocated at the Arizona HIDTA Tucson, Arizona. The mission of the Center Center are three other initiatives. Also co- is two-fold: to provide a support housed are components of the Tucson Police environment for the collocation of vital Department Special Investigations Unit, the federal, state, and local law enforcement Border Patrol Prosecution Unit, a Deputy resources involved in counter drug Pima County Attorney, and air assets of the investigations, interdiction, and intelligence Arizona DPS and Pima County Sheriffs and; to provide investigation and Department. interdiction intelligence systems and products that supports and enhances Arizona Pavg&ipating Agencies: HIDTA drug task forces/initiatives capability to disrupt/dismantle drug Federal: Drug Enforcement Administration, trafficking organizations in support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Arizona HIDTA Strategy. Participants Immigration and Naturalization Service, include an Administration Support Group United States National Park Service, United with 7 full-time members and an States Forest Service, United States Border Intelligence Division with 40 full-time and Patrol, United States Customs Service, 22 collocated members. The United States Marshals Service, and United Administration Support Group is staffed by States Attorneys Office. Pima County Sheriff's Department personnel and provides facility management Stale/Local: Arizona Attorney General's and security services, information systems Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety technical support, operates/maintains the 134 Local: Benson Police Department, Bisbee operational period, and lessons learned. Police Department, r~v,,O~.,, ~,'~ 1 S~., r~,.~,,unt2r..... Each phase is ...... o,,~,,;.... ll ...... y supported ...... ~a, Attorney's Office, Cochise County Sheriff's intelligence. Department, Chandler Police Department, Casa Grande Police Department, Eloy Police Cobija involves representatives from Department, Glendale Police Department, Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, Keamey Police Department, Maricopa Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Idaho, Cotinty Sheriff's Department, Mesa Police Maine, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Department, Mohave County Sheriff's Louisiana, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Ohio, Office, Nogales Police Department, Oro Wisconsin, Missouri, Georgia, Kentucky, Valley Police Department, Peoria Police New York, Nevada, Kentucky, Ohio, New Department, Phoenix Police Department, Jersey, Alabama, Washington, Arkansas, Pima County Attorney's Office, Pima and Canada. Over 120 law enforcement County Attorney's Office, Pima County agencies and task forces are participants. Sheriff's Department, Pinal County Sheriff's Department, Santa Cruz County Attorney's Cobija supports the ONDCP strategic goals, Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's General Counterdrug Intelligence Plan, DHS Department, Tucson Police Depamnent, Arizona Border Control Initiative, and the Wilcox Police Depamnent, Youngtown President's drug reduction goals. Cobija Police Depamnent, Yuma Cotlnty Sheriff's works closely with tile Cotlnterdrug Department, Yuma Police Department Executive Secretariat to further enhance federal, state, tribal, and local multi-agency Other: National Guard, Depamnent of coordination and iifformation sharing. Defense JTF-6 The Department of Defense, Defense Systems Information Agency supports Aehie eeneee : CobOa by providing, at no cost, a secure electronic tool via the Anti-Drug Network Unclassified system. This allows for secure Tile Arizona HIDTA, working with the dissemination of intelligence and operational California Border Alliance Group, New information Mexico H1DTA, South Texas HIDTA, to all vetted users of" the system (,over Chicago HIDTA, Michigan HIDTA and 1,500). Cobija WebShare hosts the others, has spearheaded a concept called interactive situational map Arcview that Cobija (blanket in Spanish). Cobija is a graphically displays drug and currency coordinating mechanisnl that assists seizures, and other infornlation. Over HIDTAs in facilitating federal, state, tribal, 30,000 drug seizure reports are submitted and local law enforcement annually to tile Arizona HIDTA coordinated/synchronized criminal Investigative Support Center flom across the interdiction operational planning, nation and Canada. These reports are made operations, infornlation sharing and available to all WebShare users via the intelligence generation supporting situation map. interdiction, investigative, and intelligence agencies. There have been sixteen Cobija The Arizona HIDTA, along with the CBAG cycles since its inception in August 1998. and New Mexico HIDTA, are working with Each cycle involves an operational planning El Paso Intelligence Center to establish the conference (usually attended by 300 - 400 connectivity model that will be t~ormat law enforcement representatives), an between EPIC and all HIDTAs. Tile Cobija 135 process, with its ability to receive local and tribal seizure and incident reporting, is a major contributing factor to this effort. The Cobija concept has been briefed to The Interdiction Committee in WA DC, Project Northstar, Canadian officials, the National HIDTA Conference, and dozens of other law enforcement, government, technology symposiums, and academia organizations. The Arizona H1DTA, in conjunction with their partner HIDTAs, facilitates two/three Cobija cycles each calendar year. Cobija XVII will begin in February 2005. 136 Genera#' ~nfarmae&n: Fear of Designatio.,n; 1990 Geograph&:.Areas ofRespansihi!i~F: Ca!ijbrnia:. San Diego and hnperial Counties. Contact:, (619) 557-5880 lines, from the Pacific Ocean on the west 140 miles east to the Arizona State line, and To reduce drug trafficking, thereby reducing includes the seven Ports of Entry at San the impact of illicit drugs in this region arid Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Otay East, Tecate, other areas of the country. To accomplish Calexico West, Calexico East, and Andrade. this mission, the CBAG will assist in the The geographic location is truly unique: coordination of joint operational and terrain that ranges fiom seaports and supporting initiatives to deter, disrupt, beaches to deserts, with forested mountains dismantle, and ultimately eliminate the most in between, yet home to the largest bi- significant Drug Trafficking Organizations national metropolis in the world. (DTO's), their supt)orting transportation and money laundering organizations. The CBAG Both San Diego and Imperial Counties have will also emphasize efforts against large Mexican cities directly to tile south. methamphetamine manufacturing, precursor Tijuana's population is officially reported as sut)ply , and "club drug" abuse throtigh 1.5 million, but estimates run as high as 2 innovative enforcement operations and million; it is Mexico's third largest, and demand reduction programs utilizing a fastest-growing, city. Mexicali, which multi-agency, joint concept of operations. borders Imperial County, is the capital of Baja California Norte and has a population T#wea~ Ab.~tra~:t: of close to 1 million. Although the 140-mile The California Border Alliance Group's border facing the CBAG is only 7'¼, of the (CBAG) area of responsibility, San Diego entire U.S.-Mexican border, it is home to and Imperial Counties, extends north 65 60% of the entire US-Mexican Southwest miles from the international border with Border population. The CBAG area of responsibility not only has five of the busiest Mexico to the Orange and Riverside Col.lUty 137 U.S. land Ports of Entry to contend with, but also international airports and seaports. The Additionally, CBAG initiatives participated threats range from land, sea, and airborne in out-of-area seizures of over 48 Metric drug smuggling, distribution, production, Tons of cocaine seized at sea, and another and consumption of cocaine, 113 Kg of heroin on controlled deliveries to methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, destinations outside of the CBAG area. prescription drugs, and precursor chemicals, and from Major Drug Trafficking S~, agegy A h~e~ac& Organizations, international Narco-terrorism and money laundering to street gangs and To accomplish its mission, the CBAG drug abusers. It remains one of the most coordinates 19 intelligence-driven, joint, active transit areas for drugs and illegal multi-agency coordinated initiatives, which aliens moving north and for monies are organized into five mutually-supporting traveling south, as well as a major domestic subsystelns: hatelligence, Interdiction, marijuana cultivation area. Investigation, Prosecution, Demand Reduction, and Support Initiatives. Of note, CBAG Seizures '98-'03 two of those initiatives, the National 5,000 4.500 Methamphetamine Chemical Initiative and the National Marijuana on Public Lands 3,500 3,000 Initiative, coordinate nation-wide efforts 2,500 2 ,0 00 -~ against their respective targeted drug 1 ,500 trafficking problmns. 1 ,000 i 500 -i 0 ! 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Each agency has its own strategies, "EIC ocaine imaM etham phetam ine requirements, and missions. The CBAG ~Heroin E3C landestine Labs Executive Committee, through subcommittees, coordinates the integration During 2003, CBAG task forces and and synchronization of efforts to reduce member agencies seized more than: drug trafficking, eliminate unnecessary Marijuana 202,310 Kg duplication, and improve the systematic Marijuana eradicated 262,029 plants sharing of intelligence. (260,00 Kg) Cocaine 1,424 Kg The Executive Committee monitors the Cocaine (maritime) 48,181 Kg implementation of the strategy to ensure the Heroin 72.5 Kg joint efforts of the CBAG produce the Methamphetamine 537.8 Kg desired impact. The Committee provides a Arrests 5,015 coordination umbrella over networked joint Cash/assets $ 16.2 Million task forces, the intelligence center, task Clan Labs 19 forces not funded by CBAG, and single Marijuana Semres (bdk Ml~ and Plarls Eractcated) agency task forces and narcotics units within the CBAG. The Committee is formed of 16 450.000 400.000 I Members/Officers, 8 Federal and 8 350.000 t ~--~I 300,000 I ~_l[-" q State/local. An Intelligence Subcommittee 250,000 t 220.000 I provides guidance and direction to the 150too t F--~.~] 100.000 I I Intelligence Center (the San Diego/Imperial 50.ff/3 I County Regional Narcotics Information 19£8 230O 2001 2302 2OO3 Network - NIN) and develops intelligence 13CamPs (lodk) rl Ftants policies for the approval of the Executive 138 Committee. A Fiscal Subcommittee reviews 729 deconflictions (just under 8 percent.) and recommends budget and reprogrammiqg Additionally, the Watch Ceqter conducted requests for Executive Committee action 74,864 database inquiries which resulted in and approval. The CBAG Director provides 25,058 system hits or sharing of day-to-day coordination and programmatic information, or a "hit rate" of just over 33 and fiscal accountability critical to the percent. CBAG. The Director is responsible for developing draft proposals of the Threat Planning and implementation are ongoing Assessment, Strategy, Initiatives, and for a comprehensive, co-located lnulti- Annual Report for submission to the CBAG agency Law Enforcement Coordinating Executive Committee. The Director is also Center, containing a joint Regional responsible for the management of the Intelligence Center (RIC) to radically CBAG Staff, which includes Budget, improve the Intelligence process and the Program Analysis, Network Administration, coordination of investigations and Demand Reduction, and Training and enforcement in San Diego and hnperial Equipment Coordination. Counties. The concept is based on the collocation and commingling of the San M, ve~gigat&e &eppart Center: Diego/hnperial County Narcotics Information Network (NIN), California The San Diego/hnperial County Regional Southwest Border Intelligence Group (ICE), Narcotic Information Network (NIN), the San Diego Police, and San Diego Sheriff's centerpiece of the CBAG's Intelligence Intelligence Units, and intelligence units Support subsystem, provides responsive from the Bureau of Customs and Border deconfliction, pointer index, case support, Protection, DEA, FBI, and California Anti- intelligence fusion, and predictive analyses Terrorism Information Center (CATIC) into in cooperation and coordination with the a true multi-agency Joint Intelligence California Southwest Border Intelligence Center, supported on-site by ARJIS Group, the Imperial Valley Law (Automated Regional Justice Information Enforcement Coordination Center System) and other appropriate entities. The Intelligence Division, and member agency homeland security-focused Regional intelligence units. The NIN is the CBAG Terrorist Threat Assessment Center (RTAC) region's intelligence "hub", connected by will be integrated with an overall on-line systems and cross-attached intelligence fusion center, with robust personnel to those intelligence nodes within connectivity and coordination with, and the region, and with the other Southwest between, the Imperial Valley Law Border I41DTA ISC's and nationwide via the Enforcement Coordination Center, the San Western States Information Network and Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center, and RISSNET. Interdiction operations and other entities within the region. investigations are coordinated with the Approximately 500 agents, analysts, and intelligence center to the greatest extent support personnel will be located at this practicable, with exceptions for applicable center. grand jury secrecy, privacy of taxpayer information, Title III restrictions, and P~er&qp~eing A ge~des: ~ agency security requirements. The NIN Watch Center processed 9,383 narcotic Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco enforcement actions taking place in San and Firearms, Civil Air Patrol, IDrug Diego and Imperial counties, restllting in Entbrcement Administration, Federal 139 Bureau of Investigation, Federal Signiflean Aehie em ms Communications Commission, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Internal Cocaine seizures along tile California border Revenue Service, Naval Criminal decreased again during 2003, while hwestigative Service, United States marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine Attorney's Office, United States Border seizures increased. However, 48 Metric Patrol, United States Bureau of Land Tons of cocaine were seized on the high seas Management, United States Coast Guard, that was destined to cross the Southwest United States Customs and Border Border through California, Arizona, New Protection, United States Immigration and Mexico or Texas and would almost certainly Customs Enforcement, United States Forest have resulted in higher border seizure rates Service, United States Marshals Service, had it not been seized at sea. The amount of United States Postal Inspection Service, cocaine seized in the Eastern Pacific through Department of Defense-Joint Task Force the cooperation of the Coast Guard, Federal North Agencies, and CBAG initiatives seems to indicate at least two things: the EastPac-to- State: California Department of Justice- Mexico route for entry via the Southwest Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, California Border remains dominant, and enforcement Department of Justice-Western States successes in the Transit Zone directly affect Information Network, California seizures in the Arrival Zone. The San Department of Conections, California Diego Marine Task Force seized 6,220 Kg Highway Patrol, California National Guard of cocaine in local cases tied directly to the Southern California coast. In addition to Local: Calipatria, Brawley, Calexico, border seizures of marijuana, 262,029 plants Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, El Centro, (equivalent to over 260,000 Kilos) were Escondido, and Holtville Police seized in San Diego County - most of them Departments, Imperial County District in large remote operations run by Mexican Attorney' s Office, Imperial County DTOs. Probation Department, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, Imperial, National City, The dismantlement of the Arellano-Felix Oceanside, and San Diego Police Organization (AFO) continues with Departments, San Diego District Attorney's indictments, arrests, and extradition Office, San Diego County Sheriff's proceedings for the upper echelon and Department, Sail Diego County Probation transportation and enforcement cells of that Dept, San Diego Harbor Police Department, cartel, as well as unprecedented cooperative Westmoreland Police Department. efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement. Multiple intelligence sources Other: San Diego County Prevention tell us that the remaining cells of the Coalition, National Institute of Justice- Arellano-Felix Organization are having Border Research and Technology Center, difficulty getting cocaine from the source San Diego Cotinty Board of Supervisors- countries, and have been forced to turn to Methamphetal-nine Strike Force other sources of income such as alien smuggling and kidnapping. Of course, a In Total: 784 Federal, State, and local lack of drug income makes the AFO even personnel participate in CBAG HIDTA more vulnerable to the pressures being Initiatives. exerted by the Zambada-Garcia organization, currently making a play for the Tijuana plaza. The push for complete 140 dismantlement of the AFO, as well as pro- and Mexicali areas in 2003, for a total of active investigations of associated DTOs 119 reported over the past two years. While and the Zambada-Garcia organization, methamphetamine use continues to be a continue unabated as a top priority for this significant public safety and health problem HIDTA. in our region, our comprehensive approach to the methamphetamine issue may be The continued decline in lab activity in San having success. Once considered the Diego and Imperial Counties, and increase "Methamphetamine Capital" of the US, a of labs in Mexico, is compelling evidence of concerted and coordinated effort on the part a successful long-term methamphetamine of San Diego Law Enforcement, Public reduction strategy for this and other regions. Health, Demand Reduction, Government Clandestine laboratories, mostly officials, and corporate interests have methamphetamine labs, continue to affect essentially shut down the large-scale the CBAG region, but only 19 were seized production, reduced emergency department in the CBAG area during 2003. 827 labs mentions, and increased treatment were seized in California, of which 132 were admissions for methamphetamine. "super labs" capable of producing 10 pounds or more methamphetamine in a single cook (92% of the nation's total of 143 super labs.) Mexican lab seizures are highly significant: at least 47 labs were seized in the Tijuana 141 F 0 O, ' // / ,' ! O. S &mes #zde TA ~.5T ' ~"~','~,v,.,M F',~-~£'0 Fe~_~r,of ~e.signatiane 1990 ~eograp, lff~, Areas. of Resp.anaib.RiC: N~p~MeMca: Bernalillo, Chaves, Hidalgo, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Rio Aniba, San Juan, and Santa Fe Counties and all the municipalities therein. C~!!tact; (505) 541-7501 MisaNn, Stageme~e,~:.- traffickers who smuggle narcotics into tile United States through New Mexico. Freight The New Mexico Region's mission is to trains and comnlercial motor vehicle carriers reduce drug availability by creating that cross tile Texas/New Mexico and intelligence-driven drug task forces aimed at Mexican borders are frequently used by disrupting or dislnantling international and major poly-drug trafficking organizations to domestic drug trafficking organizations, and move significant amounts of drugs into and the harmful consequences through throughout the United States. These poly- enhancing and helping to coordinate drug drug organizations have effectively trafficking investigative efforts among established distribution networks in key federal, state and local law enforcement locations throughout the State of New agencies. Mexico where heroin, cocaine, methamphetanline and marijuana are readily gkeea~ Afiagea.e¢.: available. Drug traffickers are increasingly exploiting the North American Free Trade The New Mexico Regional Partnership was Agreement provisions as a means of designated in 1990 as one of the five regions facilitating the illegal movenlent of their of the Southwest Border HIDTA. The region drugs mixed with the significant increase of encompasses 13 counties, four Ports-of- illegal commercial trade. The importation, Entry, and about 180 miles of the distribution, and consumption of cocaine international border shared with Mexico. and "crack cocaine" are the biggest threat in The proximity to Cuidad Juarez, Mexico and the region. Cocaine seizures are on the rise El Paso, Texas is also a major corridor for in the State of New Mexico. 142 Mexican marijuana is the most prevalent Cocaine Seizures(Kilos) drug abused and the most commonly seized drug resulting from interdiction seizures. 2003 2000 667.46~ ~ 700.83 The marijuana market is dominated 25% ~ 26% primarily by Mexican traffickers, but there is also evidence that marijuana is being £o7A grown in New Mexico. Marijuana is also 19% 30% being grown in California and Arizona and Biggest Threat does cross New Mexico's borders, but is usually destined for the northeastern coast of the U.S. Multi-ton marijuana seizures occur Methamphetamine is of major concern to annually along the southern New Mexican New Mexico as it is still the most favored borders and the three Interstate arteries, 1-40, drug for abuse. In general, 1-25, and I- 10. Methamphetamine is produced in Mexico in its purest form and then smuggled into the United States in bulk quantities where it Marijuana Seizures (Kilos) passes through New Mexico for distribution 2003 2000 102,013~ /-90,306 in other parts of the United States. o / 23% Methamphetan~ine also comes into New Mexico for personal use from mid-level distributors from Arizona and California. Additionally, nlethamphetamine is produced 23% 28% in small quantities in New Mexico by users, Most Commonly Seized Drug but in such small amounts, it usually only reaches the personal use level. The availability of Mexican black tar heroin continues throughout New Mexico; and both Meth Seizures (Kilos) brown and white heroin have been 2003 2000 204 61 F221.09 encountered. Two counties in northern New 21"% ~ / 23% Mexico, Rio Arriba County and Santa Fe County, rank number one and two in the nation for heroin overdoses per capita. 2002 ~ 2001 280'99~ ~- 263.38 14eroin abuse has been a persistent problem 29% 27% for generations, but the addict population Favored Drug of Abuse continues to grow steadily as a result of the location of the main supplier. Number of Clandestine Labs Heroin Seizures (Kilos) 20OO 2003 70 2003 11O,o 2002 12.023 9.98 ~ 13% 11% ~£~~ ^~ 2002 \2001 2ooi [~ ~ __.../I 2uou 132 / 218 21% 34% Significant Increase Between 2000 and 2003 Severe Problem in Northern New Mexico 143 Lastly, gangs facilitate much of the drug the high volume of cases that originate from distribution that occurs at the street level and the border region. are responsible for much of the drug-related violence in the region. ~n~estigative Suppo~ ~t Center: S~rate, gv Ahst, ~ act;.... ~'~ The New Mexico Investigative Support Center (ISC) is the centerpiece of the An Executive Committee comprised of HIDTA Region as it provides the collocation seven federal and seven state/local law and commingling of vital federal, state, and enforcement leaders in the New Mexico local law enforcement personnel and Region allows for a seamless integration and databases that are available to assist all area synchronization of efforts to reduce drug law enforcement agencies in counterdrug trafficking, eliminate unnecessary investigations and interdiction. In addition to duplication of effort, systematically improve reporting on strategic intelligence, the ISC the sharing of drug intelligence, and support provides event and case deconfliction for programs that effectively reduce the demand officer safety and enhanced intelligence; for illegal drugs. The goals are to reduce the case support to develop tactical intelligence transshipment of drugs transported into New for refined targeting Consolidated Priority Mexico by identifying the responsible Organization Target and Regional organizations; reducing distribution of drugs Organization Target (CPOT and RPOT); within communities; continuing interdiction and in-service analytical intelligence of smuggled drugs; following up training. The ISC provides HIDTA task investigations; and reducing the forces operational analytical support for manufacturing of methamphetamine. The ongoing initiative driven case activity New Mexico Region coordinates 13 through access to criminal and commercial initiatives that include representatives from databases. The ISC provides law 73 federal, state, and local law enforcement enforcement immediate access to a wide agencies. There are full-time participants in range of law enforcement and comlnercial the New Mexico Regional initiatives that databases. The ISC currently has the implement the strategy including: 17 following databases: Treasury Enforcement collocated multi-agency task forces; one Communication System (TECS), National prosecution initiative that includes two U. S. Criminal Information Center (NCIC) and Attorney Offices and seven District related subsystems, including the Interstate Attorney Offices; one forensic criminal Identification Index (Ill), National Law laboratory; one Investigative Support Enforcement Teletype System (NLETS), Center; and one administrative support INS Central Index System (CIS), initiative. Interdiction efforts are Commercial Drivers License Information emphasized on the transshipment of drugs in System (CDLIS and SAFER), DEA New Mexico. Investigations employ post Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Infonnation seizure analysis and follow-up techniques in System (NADDIS), New Mexico Criminal complex cases to include financial/money- Justice information System (CJIS), FBI laundering investigations. A prosecution Field Office information Management system coordinates efforts between the U. S. System (FOIMS), the state Corrections Attoruey's and state prosecutors focusing on Management Information System (CM1S), high profile cases, including Organized an event deconfliction system (SafeTnet) Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and Rocky Mountain Info Network (RMIN). (OCDETF) investigations, and addressing The New Mexico Regional Threat Assessment requires quarterly reporting so 144 that resources and direction can be Arriba County Sheriff's Department, Rio reevaluated among the H!DTA initiatives. Rancho Police Department, Sandova! This information and statistics are shared County Sheriff's Department, San Juan with the NMISC. County Sheriff's Department, Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department, Santa Fe ParUc~patmg Age~c~.es, Police Department, Silver City Police Department, Sunland Park Police Federal: Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Department, Taos Police Department, Taos Amtrak Police Department, Department of Police Depamnent, Tatum Police Defense JTF-6, Drug Enforcement Depamnent, Torrance County Sheriff's Administration, Federal Bureau of Department, Town of Mesilla Marshal, Investigation, hnmigration and Customs University of New Mexico Police Enforcement, United States Marshal Department, and Valencia County Sheriff's Service, United States Attorney's Office and Department. United States Border Patrol. Other: New Mexico Sheriff's and Police Association State: New Mexico Department of Corrections and Parole, New Mexico Department of Public Safety, New Mexico National Guard, and District Attorney's Sigeeifleant Aeh&vem erie.v,: Offices of the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh and Twelt'th Judicial In CY 2003, Office of National Drug Districts. Control Policy (ONDCP) recognized the Cotlnty/Municipal: Albuquerque Police Albuquerque DEA HIDTA Task Force for Department, Alamogordo Department of their efforts with an award as an Public Safety, Artesia Police Depamnent, Outstanding HIDTA Interdiction Initiative. Aztec Police Departn3ent, Belen Police This Task Force performs interdiction duties Depamnent, Bemalillo County Sheriff's on all forms of public transportation and the Department, Bernalillo Police Depamnent, New Mexico highways. The cooperative Bloomfield Police Depamnent, Carlsbad spirit, bard work and dedication of the Task Police Department, Corrales Police Force participants led to numerous Department, Denting Police Department, outstanding successes tlaroughout the United Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department, States, as well as in the State of New Eddy County Sherifffs Department, Mexico. These oulstanding achievements Espanola Police Department, Eunice Police included 76 individual arrests, numerous Department, Farmington Police Department, seizures totaling 1,370 kilograms of Grant County Sheriff's marijuana, 38 kilograms of cocaine, I I Department, Hatch Police Department, kilograms of methamphetamine, 2 kilograms Hidalgo County Sheriffs Department, of heroin, 154 kilograms of other dangerous Hobbs Police Department, .lal Police drugs and cash currency totaling over Department, Las Cruces Police Department, $2,338,552.00. Lea County Sheriff's Department, Los Alamos Police Department, Los Lunas The Albuquerque DEA FIIDTA Task Force Police Department, Lovington Police denlonstrated an outstanding ability to forge Department, Luna County Sheriff's cooperative relationshil3s among group Department, New Mexico State University inembers, as well as with tile varied law Police Department, Otero County Sheriff's enforcement participants. This Task Force Department, Questa Police Department, Rio 145 was able to initiate and cultivate productive A joint operation by members of the relationships with private entities that DEA HIDTA Task Force, Immigration promoted the continued effectiveness of the and Customs Enforcement and group's interdiction endeavors. Members of Albuquerque Police Department, that this group are continuously sought to was conducted in two simultaneous, provide training to federal, state and local synchronized stages netted four arrests, agencies throughout the U.S. regarding case tile seizure of $285,820.00 U.S. cash law, methods, trends and techniques for currency, 583 kilograms of marijuana, successful interdiction operations. two pickup trucks, two goose-neck The interdiction efforts of the Task Force trailers with false COl-npartments, a participants also resulted in the initiation and forklift, and two John Deere Gator development of several significant Utility Vehicles. investigations. The following investigations are provided as a sample: 0 During a routine interview of a train passenger, agents and officers observed o After developing a cooperative working dried glue on the outside sole of an relationship with Mail Boxes Etc., the individual's "new" shoes. This Task Force was contacted by employees observation led to the discovery of .85 of the company about a suspicious kilograms of heroin hidden in the soles package. The package was subsequently of the passenger's shoes. seized by DEA and was found to contain 11 pounds of lnarijuana and 1.6 kilograms of cocaine. Through additional investigative techniques and surveillance, the case led to an additional cocaine seizure of 16 kilograms, 17 arrests and the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization. 146 rder, HYD TA General' ~nfar~ ae~an,: Year, of:Design.at&n; 1990 ~:eograph&~reas of R¢.spat!sihilite~: Te:.~-a~.': Bexar, Cameron, Dimmit, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kirmey, La Salle, Starr, Maverick, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala counties; Cantaet: (21 O) 692-1532 Mi s.& Sgageme ,t" transportation and distribution organizations; partnering with Organized The mission of the South Texas (ST) Crinle Drug Enforcenlent Task Forces Partnership, Southwest Border High (OCDETF) regarding CPOT/RPOT; Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (SWB increasing investigative focus oil money HIDTA) is to reduce drug availability by laundering activities through intelligence creating intelligence-driven drug task forces providing avenues for investigations, thus aimed at elinlinating or reducing domestic impacting on drug trafficking profits; drug trafficking and its harmful seeking to identify, dismantle, and prosecute consequences through enhancirlg and large-scale narcotics and money laundering helping to coordinate drug trafficking organizations, and seize the assets associated control efforts among federal, state and local with their illegal activities; increasing Law Entbrcement Agencies (LEA). The ST coordination and consolidation among SWB Partnership's Director and Executive H IDTA initiatives; increasing counter drug Committee identified eight specific goals to information collection, analysis, production accomplish the mission. The major goals and fusion into useable intelligence, and are reducing drug availability by eliminating improving the efficiency and effectiveness or disrupting Consolidated Priority of Law Enforcement Organizations (LEO) Organization Targets (CPOT) and Regional within the STR through enhanced training, Priority Organization Targets (RPOT) Drug coordination, and officer safety. Trafficking Organizations (DTO); increasing focus on CPO'f/RPOT 147 Theeat Ab~stra~t: Strategy, Ab~stxa~t;~ The South Texas Region is a primary The ST Partnership, SWB HIDTA COlTidor for transportation and transshipment Executive Committee consists of 13 local, of illegal drugs entering the United States state, and Federal law enforcement leaders from Mexico. Major DTOs operating within representing the 14 counties of the ST the region and across the border in Mexico region, SWB HIDTA. The Executive plague South Texas with their poly-drug Committee coordinates and integrates, with trafficking activities. The South Texas the SWB HIDTA, counter narcotic efforts in region is a nationally significant interdiction, intelligence collection, transportation and transshipment hub for development, and exchange, and drugs destined for the rest of the nation. investigations to facilitate prosecutions of Drugs transit the South Texas region to drug trafficking organization members. Dallas or Houston on route to their final There are 49 local, state, and federal LEA destinations. participating in the ST Partnership's initiatives and task forces. The 49 agencies The illegal drugs DTOs conceal are shipped represent 12 federal, three state and 34 local via private and commercial cargo vehicle as LEA are working in the region's multi- well as other regional methods of jurisdictional, collocated task forces. The transportation. The enormous volumes of counterdrug efforts target illicit narcotic commercial and pedestrian traffic transiting activities across all the 14 counties in the South Texas provides excellent masking South Texas Partnership's areas of opportunities for smuggling through and responsibility. The South Texas region's between Ports of Entry. calendar year 2003 seizures totaled more than 52 percent of the cocaine, 38 percent of Significant shipments of cocaine, the marijuana, 32 percent of the methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana methamphetamine, and 29 percent of the transit the region. Large sums of illegally heroin seized during the year on the SWB. obtained funds also transit the region on the Ecstasy is also being seized in increasing way south to the DTO operators. quantities. The availability of Mexican black tar heroin Operational elements are located in the through the region attracts a number of new major border cities and ports of entry of users, including adolescents. An increasing Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo, indication of South American heroin McAllen (Hidalgo POE), Rio Grande City, indicates the region is quickly becoming a and San Antonio. Initiatives consist of new market for this drug in the South Texas multi-agency, collocated counterdrug task region. forces participating in counter drug related interdiction, investigative/money laundering, Mexican lnethamphetamine continues to be intelligence, and prosecution efforts across a major problem within the region. Mexican the South Texas region. methamphetamine DTO increasingly try to smuggle large amounts of their illicit drug A total of 14 operational task forces, through the area. supported by the Investigative Support Center (ISC) and its nodes, cover the South Texas region. 148 The Administrative staff for the South Texas The Deconfliction Center provides support Partnership headquarters itself in San for LEA located throughout the state as well Antonio, TX. The Administrative staff also as meeting the needs of HIDTA partnership provides training support for South Texas personnel. The database used is as an and regional LEA. information storage and mapping software system designed to enhance officer safety n: estigaZive S.ppar Center:, during high-risk enforcement actions. Again, more than 72 counties within the The San Antonio Investigative Support State of Texas participate in and work with Center (ISC), and its support elements in the ST Deconfliction Center. Austin, Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, and Del Rio, provides support for operational Overall, the STHIC and its subordinate task activities. forces provide tactical and strategic support as well as continually reviewing and The ST HIDTA Intelligence Center updating the Threat Assessment and (STHIC), located in San Antonio, provides providing deconfliction services for the STP, the ISC needs within the ST Partnership. it SWB HIDTA. is a full service center providing information, assistance and support in The STHIC is the hub for three of the SWB narcotics investigations. Its mission is to HIDTA Partnerships in their use of the provide accurate, detailed, and timely Regional Information Sharing System tactical, investigative, and strategic drug Network (RlSSNET). RISSNET is a intelligence to H1DTA initiatives, national LEA network which enhances the participating agencies, and other LEA, as support received from the ISC of the region appropriate. Coupled with the five and the nation. supporting intelligence elements and the Deconfliction Center, the STHIC meets the The ISC provides participating agencies and needs of not only the 14 ST counties but HIDTA task forces operational analytical also supports LEA requests from an support for ongoing "initiative driven" case additional 58 plus counties within the South activity through access to inultiple criminal Texas Region. Local, state, and Federal and commercial databases. The I SC LEA flom 88 different cities and locations provides narcotics intelligence analyses, within the state use the center. The ISC prepares threat assessments, strategic therefore supports several cornerstones of reports, and organizational studies; the H IDTA Development Standards. participates in infornlant and defendant debriefings; t)erforms tactical alert The elements enhance intelligence distribution, provides for post-seizure and collection, analysis, reporting, and search warrant analyses; supports arrest production within the partnership. Each operations; prepares and conducts briefings element of the STHIC consists of a cell of for visitors to the HIDTA; and assists in trial collocated and commingling local, state, and preparations. Additionally, the ISC conducts federal intelligence professionals catering to self-initiated intelligence analysis projects to the needs of task forces and the mission to generate leads for HIDTA investigative reduce drug availability in the region and the agencies. The STHIC requires intelligence nation. managers within the region to meet quarterly to enhance regional reporting so resources and direction of the South Texas Parmership 1'49 may be evaluated, with relationship to Verde County Sheriffs Office, Webb initiatives. Cotinty District Attorney's Office, Webb County Sheriff's Office, Weslaco Police Parg&ipaei~g. A ge~eiea.: Department, Willacy County Sheriffs Office, Zapata County District Attorney, and Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Zapata County Sheriffs Office. Firearms (BATF), Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (United States Border Patrol (USBP)), Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcernent (BICE), Department of Justice The South Texas Partnership of the SWB - Office of the Inspector General (DOJ- HIDTA made significant management and OIG), Drng Enforcement Administration leadership gains within the last year. As (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation mention previously, the E1 Paso Intelligence (FBI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Center reports the region is responsible for Investigation (IRS-CI), United States Coast the seizure of more than 52 percent of the Guard (USCG), United States Fish and cocaine, 38 percent of the marijuana, 32 Wildlife Service (US FWS), United States percent of the nlethamphetamine and 29 Marshals Service (USMS), United States percent of the heroin in 2003. National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Attorneys Offices from the Southern and In 2004, the South Texas Partnership, Western Districts of Texas (USAO- through the leadership and guidance of the SDT/WDT). Director and Executive Committee, undertook a major review of regional assets, State/Local: Texas Attorney General's procedures, management methods, Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, budgetary practices, and intelligence Texas National Guard, 293 ~ Judicial capabilities. The reviews objectives resulted District, 63 rd Judicial District, Bexar County in heightened sensitivity to initiative and Constable's Office, Brownsville Police task force needs as well as a better use of Department, Cameron County Auditor's intelligence resources. Office, Cameron County District Attorney, Cameron County Sheriffs Office, Combes Financially, a bottoms-up review, led by tile Police Department, Eagle Pass Police appointed Financial Subcommittee, resulted Department, Harlingen Police Department, in a better distribution of scarce funds while Hidalgo County Auditor's Office, Hidalgo focusing on real growth and greater County District Attorney, Kimble Cotinty achievements fiom existing task forces. Sheriffs Office, Kinney County Sheriff's Critical and hard financial decisions resulted Office, ka Salle County Sheriffs Office, in more meaningful "ownership rights" for Laredo Police Department, Leon Valley lead agencies and participating agencies. Police Department, McAllen Police With input fiom the Director's Departrnent, Mission Police Department, Administrative Support Element's (DASE) Pharr Police Department, Port Isabel Police Director and Financial Officer, the Department, Rio Grande City Police Executive Committee received a Department, San Antonio Police presentation focusing on demonstrated Department, San Benito Police Depamnent, historical fiscal management. This Start County District Attorney, Starr County presentation, coupled with a presentation of Sheriffs Office, Union Pacific Raihoad, Val the Operational Review Subcommittee, 150 provided an annual recap of resources hnproved communications, on-site provided compared to task force outputs and inspections, task force feedback, fiscal and outcomes. operational training opportunities and attendance give a significant perspective to The Investigative Support Center, with its this bottom-up review procedure. hub and nodes, received a review of its support abilities and overall performance on Though not a panacea to .all, the program is targeted DTO. The Intelligence Sub- a start in a continual effort within the committee perfomled this evaluation and Partnership to provide overall support to the review. federal, state, and local Law Enforcement Agencies participating within our region. Not to be left out, the DASE received an in- Increased intelligence exchange, depth evaluation as well. The Executive deconfliction support, investigative Committee's Chair, Vice-Chair, and two achievements, and interdiction efforts reflect additional Executive Committee members the success and goals identified by the performed an evaluation of the DASE. leadership of the ST Partnership, SWB HIDTA. Results of the overall review of the ST Partnership and its intelligence, interdiction, investigative, and prosecution elements resulted in a more cohesive and comprehensive HIDTA Program within this SWB Partnership. 151 J 7"~:' ,' i , r £ V 7 .~S~ T~15! , ) . ' ~a 2" ") i Ge erat' 'eJSgmag& :.'- Near o.~~esig~ta!&m': 1990 Geographic Areas: af Re_~pa!!.x&i!i(F.:. Te~a.x~~ El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio, Brewster, Terrell, Crockett, Pecos, and Reeves counties. ,C_O.~t.ta.ct.': Travis B. Kuykendall, Director (915)532-9550 Mis &e, Ngac.e e t; o also vulnerable to drug trafficking. The El Paso International Airport, Interstate-10, The mission of the West Texas Region of which accesses both ends of the country, and the Southwest Border HIDTA is to rail companies are exploited by narcotics dismantle the Drug Trafficking entrepreneurs as well. An extensively Organizations (DTO) in our region and to interconnected commercial and social stop the flow of illegal narcotics into the infrastructure in E1 Paso and Ciudad Juarez, United States. We will rnake our area and to a smaller scale Presidio, Texas and "unattractive" to the DTOs via the Ciudad Ojinaga, Mexico, provide drug development and coordination of trafficking organizations (DTOs) with intelligence, interdiction, investigative, innumerable methods of "masking" their forfeiture and prosecution initiatives. illicit trade. Commerce between the two countries has been on the rise due to Y'hre:ag,AhsXrae. : NAFTA and expected to continue. The West Texas Region of the Southwest Increasing trade and corresponding traffic Border HIDTA (SWB HIDTA - West through the region amplify the complexity Texas) adjoins the 490 miles of international of the threat. border including five of the busiest Ports of Drug traffickers in the area are major, high- Entry (POEs) on any US Border. The level international organizations with primary routes for drug smuggling in the command and control components operating area are through the POEs via motor out of Mexico. Large-scale importation and vehicles ranging from passenger cars to trafficking of all types of drugs semi-trailers. Remote stretches of pledominantly cocaine, marijuana, and unregulated territory between the POEs are heroin - destined for all major cities 152 throughout the United State is the primary WTR State Narcotics Prosecutions problem. E1 Paso is a hub for illicit drt, g distribution and money laundering systems. ~ooo~ E=~ ~ Cocaine seizures on the United States side 800 --- of the border have doubled since 1997 and 600 continue to rise. Marijuana seizures continue to be the largest in the country. 200 0 Heroin seizures continue to grow. DTOs are CY 2001 CY 2002 CY 2003 sophisticated and wealthy enough to avoid law enforcement efforts to curtail money- Chart 2 - Stare Narcotics Prosecutions laundering activities. Internal and external power struggles to control the Juarez Cartel The continued increase of fugitive arrests, unleashed a wave of violence in Ciudad combined with an increase in Federal, state, Juarez and Ojinaga, Mexico that continues and local warrants indicate the growing need to be a problem. Corruption on both sides of for law enforcement, prosecution, and the border assists the DTOs in advancing corrections resources in the West Texas their illicit trade. area. Charts 1 and 2 fl'om the West Texas HIDTA S~raeegy, A b.~ggae:t:: 2005 Threat Assessment dernonstrate the West Texas, designated in 1990 as one of increasing burden of drug trafficking ill the the five regions of the Southwest Border West Texas region. Increasing successes in HIDTA, encompasses ten West Texas disrupting and dismantling the drug counties that adjoin 490 miles of trafficking organizations, combined with international border with Mexico. The West increased use of this region to transship Texas Regional Executive Committee is narcotics to the United States is reflected in comprised of 3 local, I state, and 6 federal the caseloads of prosecutors. law enforcement leaders in the SWB HIDTA-West Texas area of responsibility. WTR - Fugitive Arrests A unified approach between law Southwest Fugitive Task Force CY-2001 1o CY-2003 enforcement and prosecution agencies facilitates regional efforts to stem the flow 2000 /. -- "-- of drugs entering the United States for 1500 ~*- ...... distribution. 1000 / r ...... __.CX01__CX02____CX03.__ A total of 23 federal, state, and local nAil Other Arrests agencies cooperatively participate in 12 rlArrests Resulting from HIDTA Investigations multi-agency initiatives. The managenaent [] N~rcotics Arrests & coordination component of this HIDTA Chart I - Fugitive Arrests region is located in El Paso, TX. The Investigative Support Center (ISC), comprising the intelligence backbone of the HIDTA, is also co-located in El Paso, TX. The Texas Narcotics Information System, is a statewide multi-HIDTA initiative located in Austin, TX. Six investigative initiatives target the major drug trafficking organizations, and their components, operating in the region. This includes 153 targeting the highest command and control fl'om the Texas National Guard, the ISC levels of drug trafficking organizations, their provides translation/transcription services to transportation organizations, money all of the HIDTA initiatives. It also laundering organizations, and the fugitives develops intelligence driven investigations to related to drug trafficking. Three provide to the operational units. The ISC interdiction initiatives target the Ports of serves as the hub of communications Entry, the use of wide-open territory between all of the agencies/initiatives, the throughout the region, transient traffickers, West Texas Region administrative center and the prolific use of stash houses to and the other SWB Regions through the accumulate and ship large quantities of development and operation of a secure drugs throughout the country. The Intralaet/e-mail system. Access to all federal, prosecution initiative enhances enforcement state, local and comlnercial databases has efforts by ensuring the full prosecution of been achieved. Connectivity to the narcotics cases. RISSNET has been achieved. The FBI, DEA, BICE, DPS, EPCSD and the EPPD have all assigned personnel to the ISC on a full-time basis. The TOAG, CBP/USBP-EI The West Texas Region Intelligence Paso and CBP/USBP-Marfa have all Initiative consists of 3 nodes, which provide assigned part-time personnel to the ISC. operational units with a seamless EPIC also plays a role in the 1SC with intelligence support system. The structure connectivity to the ISC WAN, and the ISC and policies of the entire initiative comply has access to EPIC's Clandestine Lab with the Federal General Counter Drug database. Intelligence Plan (GCIP). The Intelligence Initiative functions in the following mam3er: The Alpine/Marfa/Big Bend Intelligence The Investigative Support Center (ISC) is Center (AMBBIC) is being established as a the hub of the West Texas HlDTA and it is satellite ISC that provides limited located in one office location, the E1 Paso intelligence support in the Alpine/Mafia/Big Federal Criminal Justice Building. Three Bend areas of the West Texas Region. The agencies are full participants in and co- Texas Narcotics Intelligence System manage the ISC: Drug Enforcement (TNIS) is the third node of the West Texas Administration, E1 Paso Field Division; E1 HIDTA Intelligence Initiative that provides Paso County Sheriff's Department; and the national database connectivity, a central Federal Bureau of Investigation. The ISC is infomlation repository and limited analytical the initial point of contact on all smwice support. The ISC coordinates the efforts of requests to the Intelligence Initiative. The the AMBBIC and TNIS components of the ISC provides data base query, deconfliction initiative so that the narcotics agent/officer pointer index services, and a full range of is serviced by a seamless intelligence tactical and strategic analytical support and support system. reports. With the addition of translators 154 West Texas Region began conducting this operation with the underlying goal of Federal: Drug Enforcement Administration dismantling the VCFO and IZGO. (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal The ISC became the driving force for this Investigation (IRS-CI), United States Border operational initiative. The initiative is Patrol from the El Paso and Marfa Sectors managed by the CPOTS Management (CBP/USBP), Bureau of hnmigration and Committee (CMC), which consists of the Customs Enforcement (BICE), United States area task force commanders that reflect the National Park Service (NPS), United States make-up of the Regional Executive Marshals Service (USMS), and U.S. Committee (EXCOM). The CMC approves Attorneys Offices (AUSA) from the targets and expenditures and coordinates Western District of Texas. case investigations to maximize the efficient and effective use of our resources. State/LoeM: Texas Office of the Attorney General (TXOAG), Texas Department of The ISC is the intelligence hub for the Public Safety (TXDPS), Texas Board of operation. They coordinate target Criminal Justice - Inspector General enforcement solely as a deconfliction Division (TBCJ-IG), Texas National Guard, mechanism. Investigative initiatives focus Counter Drug Program (TXNG-CD), 34 th their efforts on dismantling the Judicial District Attorney's Office (34 DA), organizations validated as CPOT targets by Alpine Police Department (APD), Brewster the ISC. Interdiction initiatives focus their County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), Culberson efforts oil disrupting operations associated County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), El Paso with the identified RPOT organizations. County Sherifffs Department (EPCSD), El Interdiction operations funded under this Paso Police Department (EPPD), Hudspeth project are intelligence driven and County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), and the specifically linked to the targeted Presidio County Sheriff's Office (PCSO). organizations. VCFO, IZGO and associated Other: El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), RPOT assets are targeted by all initiatives. JTF-North, and E1 Paso County Metro Narcotics Task Force. Some success of tile West Texas Region's CPOT initiative has aheady been realized. In 2003 and 2004, tile West Texas N~i~cae~a A d~ee.vemeetg~: Smuggling Initiative significantly disrupted the VCFO at the highest levels in their Beginning in 2003, the West Texas Region efforts under Operations "Pale Horse" and initiated Consolidate Priority Organization "Pasadores". A total of twenty-two Targeting (CPOT) efforts. Even without smuggling, and/or transportation funding available at tile time, this became a organizations (or "cells") were identified comprehensive, multiple agency/initiative through a single confidential source, and effort to the Vicente Carrillo Fuentes DTO specific individuals or targets were chosen (VCFO), the lsmael Zambada Garcia DTO for targeting based on priority, importance, (IZGO), and associated RPOT organizations ease of infiltration, current activity, and with an intelligence driven investigative ranking within the Juarez Cartel. Two operation that will result in tile disruption of organizations responsible for conmland, the VCFO and IZGO and the disnmntlement control, and oversight of the Juarez of their associated RPOT organizations. smuggling corridor were identified and dismantled. 155 To date the HIDTA investigation has resulted in the seizure of 58 pounds of cocaine and 6,000 pounds of marijuana. The investigation revealed that the primary target was used by the organization as an "Enforcer". The primary target was responsible for tile collection of debts owed the organization and the patronage payments for the use of the Juarez smuggling corridor. During this investigation the primary target was linked to a total of twelve murders committed in Juarez, Mexico. Since the murders were directly related to criminal activity occurring within the jurisdiction of U.S. law enforcement officials, tile U.S. Attorney's Office agreed to seek indictments against him for Continuing Criminal Enterprise and the Federal Murder statutes. 156 r" :" e O~ , V ~ ' ,~', enera nfarmatian: Fe.a.r ofDesignatiOn: 1994 ~ogr~ap!~&' ~rea's of Respa~sihi!it£: ~ MarvJatul: Baltimore City and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard Montgomery, Prince George's and Charles Counties Wa.xfihtgtatz~ D~ C, girgittia.'. City of Alexandria, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington and Fairfax Counties • i ° Thr, Ah trae:t: The mission of the Washington/Baltimore Illegal drugs remain widely available at HIDTA is to improve interagency relatively stable prices throughout the W/B collaboration, promote the sharing of HIDTA region. Drug use patterns within the accurate and timely information and HIDTA region vary considerably by intelligence, and provide specialized training geographic area. and other resources to W/B HIDTA participating law enforcelnent and treatment/ In the Baltimore metropolitan area, heroin criminal justice agencies that will enhance remains the drug of choice, although there their ability to provide superior services and are signs that cocaine distribution and use meet their operational objectives. Through may be challenging heroin's traditional its state-of-the-art Intelligence Center, its dominance. Baltimore-area law highly trained and skilled professional staff enforcement officials are also concerned will enhance and help to coordinate drug about the growing use of illegally diverted control efforts throughout the W/B H IDTA phamlaceuticals (primarily painkillers) and region and, when practical, in other areas of have expressed concern that Baltimore may the country with the aim of bringing about be emerging as a source area for diverted measurable reductions in drug availability, OxyContin. drug trafficking, drug use and the social In Southern Maryland, cocaine and public health, public safety and financial marijuana are the primary drugs of abuse. consequences associated with illicit drugs. Violence among the many drug trafficking organizations and gangs distributing drugs 157 in this area continues to pose a serious extensive highway system. Traffickers also challenge to law enforcement. use parcel delivery services, the US mails, and couriers traveling on public Cocaine is the predominant drug of abuse in transportation systems to import substantial Washington, DC but heroin distribution has quantities or drugs. expanded considerably over the past year. PCP and LSD are seen as emerging threats S~eategy Ahstr~c&" in this area; while overall use of these drugs is relatively small compared to cocaine, The W/B HIDTA is committed to bringing there is some evidence to indicate that together Federal, state and local agencies in distribution of PCP and LSD is expanding. an equal cooperative partnership and actively promotes intelligence sharing and In Northern Virginia, cocaine and marijuana coordinated drug enforcement, treatment are considered the primary drug treats facing and prevention efforts. the area. Distribution of heroin, diverted pharmaceuticals, MDMA and "club drugs" Its Executive Board plays a central role in pose smaller but growing threats. While shaping the H IDTA s strategy, formulating overall use of methamphetamine remains its budget, overseeing threat assessment and low, Virginia law enforcement officials have performance management efforts and, expressed concern regarding the growing through its active committee system, guiding availability of methamphetalnine in the efforts of the HIDTA's nulnerous surrounding states. initiatives. The Board has incorporated homeland security priorities into the In 2003, law enforcement sources identified HIDTA's ongoing efforts and is actively 141 drug trafficking organizations operating seeking to expand its intelligence resources. in the W/B HIDTA region. A number of factors (such as growth in money laundering The majority of the W/B HIDTA's law activity and an increasing number of DTOs enforcement initiatives focus Oll that distribute two or more drugs) suggest investigating and dismantling drug that these organizations are becoming more trafficking organizations. Other initiatives sophisticated than in years past. attack drug trafficking through investigation of drug-related violent crime, firearms Gang activity (and the violence that often trafficking, money laundering operations accompanies it) is a growing concern and drug movement and distribution. The throughout the region. The Baltimore Police HIDTA's prosecution initiatives advise Department has identified 242 distinct gangs other law enforcement initiatives and focus operating in the city; 95 percent of these on building strong cases against the gangs are involved in drug distribution. The leadership of drug trafficking organizations emergence of Mara Salvatucha (MS-13) as a operation in the HIDTA region. leading gang in the HIDTA region has generated considerable concern in law The HIDTA's Treatment/Crinlinal Justice enforcement circles, especially in Northern initiatives focus on reducing crime by Virginia and Southern Maryland. implementing a coerced treatment model for drug-addicted repeat offenders. By Drug transportation and distribution are also emphasizing the creation of a seamless region-wide concerns. Most of the drugs treatment and supervision system, entering the HIDTA region are transported demanding accountability on the part of in privately-owned vehicles traveling on offenders and ensuring strict supervision and Interstate 95 and the HIDTA region's drug testing, these initiatives can 158 dramatically reduce recidivism among case/subject deconfliction services (through addicted offenders. the Case Explorer system), one-stop access to a wide variety of law enforcement Prevention initiatives funded by the W/B databases, and a region-wide event HIDTA focus on at-risk youth with the goals deconfliction service. of preventing illegal drug use and promoting positive involvement with their families, The Case Development Unit assists schools and communities. Each prevention investigative initiatives and participating initiative is run by a coalition of law agencies in identifying previously enforcement officials, local agencies, school undetected drug traffickers and provides systeln persolmel and community case development and support services to organizations and is evaluated annually to help investigators build larger, more enstlre that they are meeting local needs significant cases. This unit's analysts also effectively. offer post-seizure analysis and document exploitation services. The efforts of all of these initiatives are supported by the HIDTA's training and To assist the region's law enforcement adlninistrative support initiatives. These agencies in staying abreast of new initiatives provide training courses, financial developments in drug trafficking and management services, IT support, substance abuse, the Futures Unit focuses on administrative oversight and logistical nlonitoring new and emerging trends and support to enhance the efficiency and developing predictive intelligence products. effectiveness of the W/B HIDTA. In addition to producing a steady flow of intelligence bulletins and special reports on ~,vestigative &eppart Ce..a¢er::- new or emerging threats, the unit's analysts also conduct longer-term research on threats The HIDTA's intelligence initiatives are of special concern in the region (such as continuing to expand intelligence services ~an~,,,, activity). and enhance intelligence sharing among the region's law enforcement and criminal Through its mapping efforts and geo- justice agencies. At the W/B HIDTA, the targeting studies, the Evaluation and Crime ISC is comprised of two initiatives, the Mapping Unit helps HIDTA initiatives and Intelligence Center Initiative and the participating agencies plan more effective Investigative Intelligence Unit. The enforcement operations and evaluate the HIDTA's overall intelligence effort is effects of their work. In addition to its work coordinated by the Intelligence Center with law enl:orcement agencies, the unit has Program Manager, who works closely with also assisted numerous criminal justice and the Executive Board and the Director to treatment agencies in developing maps to ensure that the ISC's services meet current support service planning and evaluation demands and continue to evolve as new efforts. The Evaluation and Crime Mapping threats emerge. Unit staff has also played an important role in the development and implementation of The Intelligence Center Initiative consists of the H I DTA's new performance four subunits: the Watch Center, Case measurement process. Development Unit, Futures Unit and Evaluation and Crime Mapping Unit. The Investigative Intelligence Unit The Watch Cenler serves as a central hub for concentrates on providing support for law enforcement information sharing in the comple×, long-term conspiracy cases and Washington/Baltimore region, providing Title I11 intercepts. Its analysts make use of 159 the latest analytical software and Transit Administration Police Department, intelligence techniques to assist agencies in Maryland Transportation Authority Police confronting the drug treats posed by the Department, Metropolitan Washington increasingly complex and sophisticated Airport Authority, Metropolitan Transit DTOs operating in the HIDTA region. This Authority, Metropolitan Police Department, initiative is also expanding its efforts to Montgomery County Police Department, support initiatives and participating agencies Prince George's County Police Department, pursuing cases in northern Virginia. Prince William County Police Department, State's Attorney's Office - Baltimore, ~+ar~l.~lpa~ngAgen~.:ies: University of Maryland Police, Vienna Police Department, Virginia State Police, LAW ENFORCEMENT Virginia National Guard FEDERAL: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & TREATMENT / CRIMINAL JUSTICE Firearms Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Arlington County: Virginia Department of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Mental Health; Substance Abuse and Mental Bureau of Immigration and Customs Retardation; Arlington County Detention Enforcement, United States Marshals Center; Arlington County Substance Abuse Service, United States Park Police, United Services; Virginia Department of States Postal Service, United States Coast Corrections / Alexandria City: Virginia Guard, United States Attorney Eastern Department of Mental Health, Substance District of Virginia, United States Attorney - Abuse, and Mental Retardation; Alexandria District of Columbia, United States Attorney Community Service Board; Virginia - District of Maryland Department of Corrections; Virginia Department of Probation and Parole; Center STATE & LOCAL: for Substance Abuse Treatment; Alexandria City Circuit Court / Baltimore City: Alcohol Alexandria Police Department, Annapolis and Drug Abuse Administration; Maryland Police Department, Arlington County Department of Public Safety and Commonwealth Attorney, Anne Arundel Conectional Services- Division of Parole County Police Department, Arlington and Probation / Baltimore County: Alcohol County Police Department, Baltimore City and Drug Abuse Administration; Maryland Housing Authority Police Department, Department of Public Safety and Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore Correctional Services; Baltimore County County Police Department, Calvert County Depamnent of Health, Bureau of Substance Sheriff's Office, Charles County Sheriff's Abuse; Baltimore County Bureau of Office, District of Columbia National Corrections / Charles County: Alcohol and Guard, Fairfax County Police Department, Drug Abuse Administration; Maryland Fauquier County Sheriff's Office, Greenbelt Department of Public Safety and Police Department, Harford County Correctional Services; Charles County Sheriff's Office. Loudoun County SherifFs Health Department; Charles County Office, Maryland State Police, Maryland Detention Center; Charles County offices of National Capital Park Police/PG County the MD Department of Parole and Probation Div., Maryland National Capital Park / Washington DC: Addiction Prevention and Police/Montgomery County Div., Maryland Recovery Administration; Administrative National Guard, Maryland Natural Office of the US Courts/Federal Corrections Resources Police Department, Maryland and Supervision Division; Washington, DC 160 Superior Court; Center for Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration Treatment of the U S Department of Health "Treatment for Homeless" Grant; Mental and Human Services; Co~Tectional Program Health and Substance Abuse Services Office of the U S Department of Justice; (Rockville, MD); Center for Substance Superior Court of Washington DC; US Abuse Treatment of the US Department of Pretrial Services / Fairfax County: Virginia Health and Human Services; Correctional Department of Mental Health, Substance Program Office of the U S Department of Abuse, and Mental Retardation; Fairfax Justice; Circuit Court of Maryland; District County Community Service Board; Virginia Court of Maryland; Montgomery County Department of Corrections; Community Department of Corrections and Services Board (Fairfax, VA); Virginia Rehabilitation / Prince George's Cotlnty: Department of Probation and Parole; Center Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration; for Substance Abuse Treatment of the U S Maryland Depamnent of Public Safety and Department of Health and Human Services; Correctional Services; Prince George's Correctional Program Office of the U S County Government Division of Addictions Department of Justice; US Pretrial Services/ (Largo, MD); Prince George's County Howard County: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department of Corrections; Center for Administration; Maryland Department of Substance Abuse Treatment of the U.S. Public Safety and Correctional Services; Department of Health and Human Services; Howard County Health Department; Correctional Program Office of the U.S. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration: Depamnent of Justice; Circuit Court of Ellicott City, Waldorf, Howard County Maryland; District Court of Maryland / Health Department; Center for Substance Prince William County: Virginia Abuse Treatment of the US Department of Department of Mental Health, Mental Health and Human Services; Correctional Retardation, and Substance Abuse; Prince Program, Office of the US Department of William County Community Services Justice; Maryland Department of Public Board; Virginia Department of Correctioris; Safety and Correctional SeMces; Circuit Virginia Depamnent of Mental Health, Court of Maryland; District Court of Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse; Maryland; US Pretrial Services / Loudoun Prince William County Colnmunity Services County: Virginia Department of Mental Board; Virginia Department of Corrections Health, Substance Abuse, and Mental Retardation; Loudoun County Mental Health PREVENTION Services; Loudoun County Mental Health Center,; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Baltimore City, Maryland: Baltimore Police Services; Center for Substance Abuse Department; Mayor's Office of Treatment of the US Department of Health Neighborhoods; Baltimore Community and Human Services; Correctional Program Affairs Unit; C-Safe; Strategic Office of the US Department of Justice; Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP); Healthy Maryland Department of Public Safety and Neighborhoods Initiative; Community Correctional Services; Circuit Court of Relations Officers in each Police District in Maryland; District Court of Maryland; Baltimore; Regional Auto Theft Task Force; Superior Court of Washington D .C.; U S Environmental Crimes Unit; Baltimore City Pretrial Services / Montgomery County: Fire Department, Arson Task Force; Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration; Comnlunity Policing Youth Violence Maryland Department of Public Safety arid Program; The Baltimore Urban Lighting Correctional Services; Molltgomery Coullty Board; The Baltimore Prostitution Task Government; Federal Substance Abuse and Force; Office of the State's Attorney for 161 Baltimore City; Code Enforcement Unit, The investigation began in May 2003 when Department of Housing & Community the Cecil County Drug Task Force Development; Police Explorers; Police (composed of investigators from the Athletic League (PAL) / Montgomery Maryland State Police and Cecil County, County, Maryland: Department of Health & Maryland Sheriff's Office) executed several Human Services; Montgomery County search warrants against a suspected Police Department; Montgomery County OxyContin distributor. In spite of careful Public Schools; Maryland National Capitol planning and the cooperation of an Park & Planning Commission; YMCA informant involved in supplying the Silver Spring Youth Services; Equity distributors with OxyContin through "doctor Management; Commonwealth Foundation; shopping", the task force was only able to United Way; hnpact Silver Spring; charge one suspect with a minor drug Montgomery County Department of possession offense. Due to the task force's Recreation; Southern Management; Carroll heavy workload, investigators were forced Avenue Quebec Terrace Community Center; to close the case without further After School Activities Project (ASAP) / investigation. Prince William County, Virginia: Prince William County Police Department; 31st Convinced that there was more to their District Juvenile Court Service Unit; Prince OxyContin distribution case, several task William County Interfaith Caregivers; force officers contacted the W/B HIDTA's Osbourne High School; Manassas City Intelligence Center. Although Cecil County Police Department; Manassas Park Police; is not designated as part of the HIDTA, its Juvenile Court Services; FAST; Metz High drug task force has established a strong School; Manassas Detention Center; Prince working relationship with a number of the William County Community Services HIDTA's Maryland-based initiatives. As Board; Manassas City School Board; Prince analysts from the Intelligence Center's Case William School Board; Depamnent of Development Unit began exalnining the Social Services; Johnson Learning Center; non-drug evidence collected during the Prince William county Juvenile Detention execution of the Cecil County Drug Task Home; Manassas City Family Assessment Force's search warrants, they quickly Team; Metz Middle School; Georgetown discovered that the task force investigators were right about their case. Using document exploitation techniques, subpoenas and telephone toll analysis, the Case Development Unit's analysts quickly & aiJie.aa Ackie em, at: identified other members of the original Over the past several years, the Washington/ target's family who were involved in Baltimore HIDTA region has seen an OxyContin distribution and began tracing its increase in the diversion and abuse of suppliers and customers. As new prescription painkillers (especially in the information came in, analysts were able to Baltimore metropolitan area). A recent case, trace the organization's distribution in which the HIDTA's Intelligence Center activities throughout Maryland, Virginia, played a central role, illustrates how solid West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, intelligence and investigative efforts can be North Carolina and Tennessee. used to counter the growing threat of pharmaceutical diversion. As the case grew, the Case Development Unit and the Cecil Cotlnty Drug Task Force enlisted the help of DEA's Diversion 162 Control Program. As the Case Development All of the suspects are scheduled to stand Unit identified doctors and pharmacies used trial in September of 2004 on Federal by the organization's "doctor shoppers" to narcotics and conspiracy charges. Since obtain OxyContin, DEA personnel used their initial arrest, two of these suspects have their regulatory and inspection authorities to been rearrested for attempting to intimidate gather additional evidence and encourage witnesses and a prosecutor involved in this doctors and pharmacists to provide case; a third suspects has be rearrested for a investigators with additional information on parole violation. This case is an outstanding their targets' activities. DEA and ATFE example of how intelligence analysis and agents helped to coordinate investigation of interagency cooperation can be used to build distribution activities outside of Mauland. a successful case from what at first appeared to be a minor drug case. The investigation culminated in the spring of 2004 with the arrest of all of the suspects involved in the distribution operation and several melnbers of two other families who supplied them with OxyContin through "doctor shopping" and prescription flaud. 163 Hatie]sal Hi$:h I]ste]ssity Drm$ Tra£8~:~;s$: Area (HIDTA) Pregra~ 2~@4 Aws}~dls 165 2994 Nat onan HilDTA Pregram Award OUTSTANDIING ADiViI IN ISTIRATOR APPALACH~[A H[DTA- KAREN MANNING, APPALACHIIA HIIDTA F~NANCIAL MANAGER The AHIDTA Executive Board nominates Karen Manning, AHIDTA Financial Manager, for the National "Outstanding Administrator" Award. We nominate her m recognition of the specific accomplishments as set forth below. We nominate her in recognition of her years of experience upon which we have come to rely. And most of all, we nominate her for her unceasing, enthusiastic and tireless dedication to the people of Appalachia. Karen has been with the AHIDTA since its inception in 1998. Under her able leadership, Karen's financial staff has built the financial inflastructure of the AH1DTA, fiom the ground up, into an efficient and effective operation. The backbone of this infrastructure is the Fundware budget tracking software system. Karen selected this system fl'om among several that she and her team evaluated. Working with the fiduciary, Karen and her team implemented the software and tailored it to efficiently track expenditures and budget balances in a manner that has assured excellent financial managenlent for the AHIDTA. The system allows for the monitoring of expenditures by grant year, initiative, agency, budget category and sub-category. This level of budget management contributes to the efficient overall operation of the AHIDTA. Karen has conducted numerous training sessions for participating agencies in all three states in the AHIDTA. These sessions covered the methods and procedures for all applicable aspects of financial management at the AHIDTA. These sessions have been well received by AHlDTA participants and have restllted in enhanced comnmnications and more efficient operations. In August 2004, Karen was selected as one of six Financial Managers from the National HIDTA program to travel to Miami and test the new Everest Financial Database Software being developed for the H1DTA program. Beginning in 2003, based on reviews and recommendations by ONDCP, the Executive Board along with the AHIDTA management team was challenged to restructure AHIDTA. Karen, with her experience and leadership, assisted in transfomling the AHIDTA into the kind of HIDTA envisioned; a full functioning and effective collaboration of federal, state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and demand reduction specialists working toward the reduction of drug use and trafficking. The AHIDTA changed the fundamental structure of 7 umbrella type of initiatives that were agency lbcused to 27 multi agency initiatives which are task force dliven. Karen's job expanded from one of monitoring 12 federal and 17 state agency budgets to that of monitoring 9 federal, 13 state and 64 local law enforcement agency HIDTA budgets. With these changes, Karen saw the need for expenditure monitoring at the task force level. Karen devised a system, utilizing an AHIDTA form LC-07, that allows task force comnaanders to review all HIDTA expenditures for their task force before HIDTA funds are dispersed. In effect, this system provides accurate, timely and reliable financial information. It also creates another channel of communication through which the task forces can make their needs known to AI-IIDTA n-lanagement in a timely and direct way. In turii, AHIDTA nlanagement is able to provide the task forces and its officers with the resources they need to get their job accomplished. 167 Karen Manning's responsibilities notably do not end with the financial side of AHIDTA. Considering that long range planning and finance are inextricably linked, and recognizing Karen's skill as both a financial planner and a manager, the Executive Board Chair appointed Karen to the newly formed AHIDTA Strategic Planning and Budget Committee as an ex-officio member. This committee is responsible for long range strategic and financial planning for the AHIDTA and became fully functional in January 2004. In January 2004, AHIDTA held its first Annual Conference where Karen not only made a presentation concerning the AHIDTA budget process, but was actively involved in the conference planning. In February 2004, Karen provided assistance in the Initiative Write-up Training, held for all the AHIDTA task force commanders and initiative representatives as they prepared their 2005 Initiatives and Budgets. Karen additionally has been involved with the development and responsibilities of the State Coordinating Committees (SCC) beginning in late 2003 with AHIDTA's restructure and new vision. The SCC is a working committee responsible for recommending the submissions of interim reports to the Executive Board by way of Executive Committees. The SCC additionally is responsible for initiative development, budgets and a review process. In July, 2004, Karen assisted the SCC with its mid-year AHIDTA Initiative Reviews by providing a budget history for the initiatives and assisting in the preparation of an evaluation process which has become a standard to be utilized in future reviews. Her leadership and experience is called upon daily by the AHIDTA Director, management team and AHIDTA participants. In September 2004, Karen was instrumental in preparing an AHIDTA Interdiction Initiative proposal by requesting additional funding from ONDCP regarding discretionary funding announced in August 2004. As a consummate professional, and team player, Karen has not only completely restructured the financial landscape of AHIDTA, she has shown her leadership skills through constant support of the AHIDTA staff and all the participants of AHIDTA that she considers extended family. Karen exhibits compassion, excellent team building skills, and a logical approach to problem solving. The entire AHIDTA team has come to rely on Karen's knowledge and experience as evident from the above examples. AHIDTA values her advice and opinion. Karen Manning is "making a difference" for the citizens of AHIDTA and our country. These qualities make Karen a vital member of the AHIDTA management team and an outstanding emissary of the HIDTA Program. AHIDTA, enthusiastically nominates her for this honor. 168 2004 Na :ional H DTA Program Award OUTSTAND]ING TASK FORCE COMMANDER Central Valley California HIDTA - Sergeant Fred Links At first glance Sergeant Fred Links looks like a football star and Marine Corps advertisement. The fact that he is a boat builder, World Champion speed boat racer, and a heart attack survivor isn't apparent. Nor does one see that Fred has been awarded two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars for Bravery by his department. What is clearly evident is that he is charismatic, radiates confidence and has a clear dedication to law enforcement and the HIDTA mission. He is a 25 year veteran of the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department and is married to a Sheriff's Sergeant who's assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit. Fred is Commander of the HIDTA's Sacramento Area Intelligence Narcotics Task Force (SAINT) initiative that was awarded "Outstanding HIDTA Task Force Cooperative Eflbrt" last year. SAINT became operational in 2000 has been under Sergeant Links' leadership for most of that time. The task force consists of 12 individuals from 8 different local, state and Federal agencies. The mission of the SAINT is the identification, arrest and prosecution of major methamphetamine manufacturers, drug distributors and chemical suppliers. SAINT members are cross trained as clandestine laboratory specialists able to dismantle methamphetanfine laboratory sites. This past year SAINT members seized 151 pounds of cocaine, 46 pounds of methamphetamine, 132 pounds of marijuana and over $700,000 in drug proceeds. They initiated 54 investigations and disrupted or dismantled 16 major drug trafficking organizations. On September 23, 2004, a 17 month SAINT investigation into a Sacramento-area "ice" or crystal meth producing and distributing DTO concluded. Investigators were led to the DTO's Canadian ephedrine suppliers who smuggled the precursor into the U.S. The Ice was shipped to Hawaii and Minnesota as well as distributed throughout CA. Twenty four search warrants led to 27 arrests. There was 20 pounds of meth seized, $130,000 cash, 18 guns, 12 vehicles and 10 children placed into protective custody. In Canada, the RCMP detennined that the DTO imported thousands of pounds of ephedrine. Two thirds of it went to an outlaw motorcycle club in Canada and one third to Sacramento. The RCMP arrested 54 individuals, seized 80 pounds of methamphetanfine, seized 2,620 pounds of ephedrine powder, 1.6 million ephedrine pills, 2 kilograms of cocaine and $3 milliori Canadian currency. Use of Innovation in Supervising Investigations - Sergeant Links and SAINT members relentlessly pursue DTOs operating in the Sacramento, Northern and Central California regions. Fred uses unique approaches to investigations. One has been to target the essential chemicals, equipment and precursors tlsed in labs. Pie uses reverse undercover operations, financial investigations, complex conspiracy investigations as well as targeting of rogue chemical suppliers. He relies heavily upon the application of technology. Each Title I!1 investigation is complex and demanding, requiring long hours of work and coordination. His recognition of the sophistication and countermeasures used by DTOs has fostered his technical investigative approach. SAINT operates pen registers and dialed number recorders to collect telephone call activity. This year to date, SAINT initiated 9 Title-Ill investigations into major DTOs. Because Fred understands the value of case analysis, all data is provided to the on-site ISC intelligence analyst who has the latest versions of analytical software and robust computer systems. Another innovation is Fred's Precursor Vendor Program (PVP). Under PVP, an investigator acts as a liaison to local businesses such as tack and feed stores that sell products used in meth 169 laboratories. Businesses are encouraged to voluntarily report information regarding the buyers of products that might be used to manufacture methanlphetamine. PVP data is researched and analyzed to disclose links to meth labs. Research may also identify if a conspiratorial relationship exists between chemical retailer and DTOs. Innovation and investigative experience still lead to arrest situations where confrontation is often an element. Fred received one Bronze Star for Bravery when he led the "entry team" on a search warrant. He was confronted by an anned suspect preparing to fire on officer's. Fred physically subdued him and neutralized the danger. Another of his Bronze Stars for Bravery was awarded for his involvement in a pursuit of a fleeing suspect armed with an AR 15 who fired on officers then fled into a brushy area. Fred was a member of the SWAT team that entered the wooded area eventually located the suspect and took him into custody. Leadership and Direction - Over l0 years ago Fred helped develop and organize one of the most recognized tactical entry courses in California, "Round Hill Tactical Entry Training." He's demonstrated his innovation and dedication through his commitment to this program that improves officer safety. He developed training methods and techniques to improve safety skills. He's the lead instructor, advisor, and tactical guru of the program. Round Hill uses on-site, hands-on scenarios encountered by major narcotic and other plainclothes specialized enforcement units. Fred has instructed and coordinated over a thousand students from hundreds of agencies on how to operate during these high-risk situations, ensuring that cops stay alive. Fred is one of California's recognized experts in high-risk officer safety situations. Fred leads by example and has demonstrated his abilities in countless situations. He was awarded a Silver Star for Bravery after he entered a two-story apartment complex that was engulfed in fire. He searched for victims and at one point was pinned in by fire on the second floor. He escaped by running through a wall of flames and jumped from the second story to a roof and eventually to the ground. He returned to the building to rescue a man paralyzed by fear and then carried the man to safety. His other Silver Star for Bravery was received when Fred wrestled with an armed suicidal man in an attempt to save him from self-destruction. As Fred struggled to control the violent person, three rounds were fired from the assailant's shotgun. He saved the man from himself. Commitment to the H1DTA Program and Law Enforcement Collocation and collaboration are part of Fred's philosophy. He recognizes that drug enforcement is often not a localized issue and task forces must think globally to be successful. His approach is one of complete cooperation with all agencies as their assistance may be needed at some future date in return. This interactive policy led SAINT to participate in 30CDETF investigations this past year involving agencies in California, several other states and Canada. Meth producers in California use Canadian suppliers of Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. One of SAINT's long-term investigations involved an Asian-based international group that moved drugs from Canada to the Sacramento area. Drug proceeds were electronically transferred to an Asian country. The multi- agency investigation led to the seizure of meth precursors. Laboratory locations were identified and the products seized. Drug supplies were impounded and many distribution groups in Sacramento County and the surrounding area were disrupted and dismantled. This example of a collaborative effort typifies Sgt. Links' requirement of SAINT members to assist other local and federal agencies. They've helped 29 other agencies to conduct investigations within the SAINT area of responsibility this year. SAINT investigations are international and multi-state in nature. This year their operations have spanned from Canada to Mexico and from Minnesota to Hawaii. 170 Sergeant Fred Links is a true leader in the HIDTA's efforts to combat drug trafficking organizations and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement. He is the consummate professional and has received no less that 90 letters of commendation, recognition, appreciation, outstanding employee awards and unit citations. Sergeant Links should receive ONDCP's recognition as "Outstanding Task Force Commander." 171 2(}04 Natfiona~ H~IDTA Program Award OUTSTANDIING ]INTERDiCTiON EFFORT Gulf Coast HIDTA - Caddo/Bossier Drug Task Force The Caddo/Bossier Drug Task (CBTF) based out of Shreveport, Louisiana consists of personnel from the Shreveport Police Department, the Bossier City Police Department, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, the Louisiana State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The CBTF has two enforcement groups, one of which is dedicated to airport, bus, parcel, and highway interdiction efforts. The CBTF has always had an excellent working relationship with the Louisiana State Police's Criminal Patrol (CP) program based out of Bossier City, Louisiana. The CBTF has assisted the CP interdiction efforts by providing personnel and resources to further investigations that stemmed from drug and/or money seizures made during traffic stops. This assistance has included case adoption for federal prosecution as well as assisting in controlled deliveries of contraband to other destinations outside the state of Louisiana. The CBTF is being nominated for Outstanding Interdiction Effort for an investigation that began on the morning of September 26, 2003, when the Louisiana State Police (LSP) detained a subject after a traffic stop on Interstate 20 in Bossier Parish Louisiana. The LSP troopers recovered approximately five kilograms of heroin from a false battery in the vehicle. Following an interview conducted by CBTF agents, the subject decided to cooperate and stated that he had been hired by an individual, later identified as Saul BARRERA-CRUZ, to transport the heroin from Nacogdoches, Texas to Elizabeth, New Jersey. With the continued cooperation of the defendant, the CBTF then began driving the defendant and the heroin from Shreveport, LA to Elizabeth, New Jersey. This trip was better than 1500 miles one way. The length of the trip was exacerbated by the time frame that the defendant had been given to arrive. On the first leg of the trip, agents drove sixteen hours non-stop. The first stop was made in Durham, NC. The defendant had been instructed to call a particular number from there. This call was made successfully, and the defendant was instructed to get some sleep and then drive to Newark, NJ on the following day. The defendant was led to believe that he would be met immediately following his arrival. For that reason, agents only allowed themselves about four hours of sleep and then got right back onto the road. Upon arrival into Newark, N J, the CBTF agents met with their DEA counterparts from the Newark DEA office and devised a plan to conduct the controlled delivery to the intended recipient. Once plans had been made, the defendant called the intended recipient. The intended recipient was later identified as Manuel LINARES-SANDOVAL. The defendant was told to meet LINARES at a particular motel in Elizabeth, NJ. The defendant and the agents waited for about four hours but LINARES did not show up. At this point the CBTF agents instructed the defendant to call LINARES and to tell him to meet at a different hotel and that this was his last opportunity to obtain the dope. LILINARES showed up late for that deal as well, but he was spotted by the CBTF agents in the restaurant of the hotel. At that point, agents were only guessing that he was the intended recipient. The only Spanish-speaking agent stood beside LINARES while LINARES was talking on his cellular telephone. The conversation overheard by the CBTF agent confirmed the agents' suspicions and surveillance of LINARES then began. 172 By this point, the assisting Newark DEA agents had left for the night. The commander of the CBTF had agents follow L1NARES. CBTF agents followed LINARES from Elizabeth, NJ to Queens, NY. There the agents observed LINARES remove a large red backpack from the vehicle that he was driving. LINARES stashed the vehicle behind a locked gate, and got into a second vehicle driven by an unidentified black male. The CBTF agents then observed LINARES bring the red backpack into a nearby business. The agents noted both the address of the business and the address where the car was stashed. Surveillance was terminated at that point, but the agents passed along what they had learned and observed to DEA New York. The following day the controlled delivery to LINARES was successfully completed. Agents used a ruse to identify LINARES and did not alTest him. This turned out to be a huge break for DEA New York. They had been investigating LINARES and knew that he was a major heroin dealer, but did not have him identified, nor were they aware of the two addresses that the CBTF agents acquired by following him the preceding night. LINERAS then became a primary target of the New York investigation. Upon their return to Shreveport, tile CBTF agents discovered that BARRERA- CRUZ was the head of a transportation cell of a major heroin and cocaine trafficking organization based out of Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. The identifications of BARRERA-CRUZ and LINARES as well as the telephone numbers used and called by each expanded the investigation exponentially. Designated as Operation "Jump Start" by DEA's Special Operations Division, this investigation was joined by in excess of twenty domestic DEA offices and five foreign DEA offices. The CBTF went on to develop a second informant. This led to the seizure of an additional five kilos of heroin. Tile CBTF also provided invaluable intelligence to DEA NY that helped them obtain tile probable cause for a Title III intercept. The CBTF also developed enough probable cause for two Title llI intercepts at the Shreveport Resident Office. This was a first for the DEA Shreveport Office as well as for the CBTF. The Shreveport wire tap not only produced additional evidence against BARRERA-CRUZ but also led directly to the arrests of twenty-six illegal aliens and three coyotes by the U.S. Border Patrol. On April 23, 2004, tile CBTF arrested BARRERA-CRUZ and his associates in Nacogdoches, Texas for drug distribution and alien smuggling. BARRERA-CRUZ is currently cooperating with the CBTF and has elicited tile help of his brothers in Mexico. Tile brothers have been offered the responsibility of overseeing loads of heroin and cocaine for a high-ranking member of tile Guatemalan organization. Tile first recorded telephone calls by the brothers to tile Guatemalan will be made in early October 2004. The Guatemalan has been identified by the CBTF agents and is indictable already due to his role in the ten kilograms of heroin seized thus far. It is anticipated that the investigation will soon enter into a new phase that will bring tile agents additional seizures and indictments against some of the highest members of this international smuggling organization. This outstanding investigation, which began with the follow-up investigation of a traffic stop, continues to broaden in scope. 173 2004 Na{fionan HiIDTA Program Award OUTSTAND]ING IINVESTIIGATIIVE EFFORT Hawaii HIIDTA - HI-llmpact Task Force - Operation Shave lice Hawaii HIDTA, Operation SHAVE ICE, was given OCDETF designation, and was investigated by tile Federal Bureau of Investigation (FI3I), Hawaii County Police Departnlent (HCPD), Honolulu Police Department (HPD), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEAl), the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Internal Revenue Service (!RS), and the Bureau of hnmigration and Customs Enforcement (1CE). The initial investigation targeted the Marvin Postadan Organization. Postadan led a drug distribution organization on the Big Island of Hawaii that smuggled crystal methamphetamine ("ice") and cocaine flom California to Hawaii. In addition, Postadan owned two automotive businesses on the Big Island. Postadan's California supplier, Francisco Guiterrez Ramirez was shown through telephone analysis to have Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT) connections to the Arellano-Felix and Zambada-Garcia organizations. The Postadan organization was involved in the distribution of multiple kilo quantities of ice and cocaine. The transportation methods included cargo shipments, U.S. Mail, and private carriers such as UPS and Fedex. Between May and October of 2003, sixteen wiretaps were conducted to further this investigation. Four additional groups were identified and dismantled including the criminal enterprises of William Torten, Brandon Chang, Jasen Antonio, and Shane Tom. In addition to the drug lines of supply coming fi'om Ramirez to Postadan, three other distinct drug lines of supply into Hawaii were dismantled. These lines of supply inchided Michael "Playboy" Huwe from Nevada who supplied Shane Tom's organization, Roman Calderon fi'om Arizona who supplied William Totten's organization and Carlos Pagan who obtained his drugs in California and was one of the suppliers of Jasen Antonio's organization. The investigation included pre-takedown ice seizures of 1 pound, 1 '/2 pounds, 2 pounds, and five pounds respectively. In addition, several shipments of currency representing drug proceeds were intercepted leaving Hawaii inchiding one for $99,030. The other cunency seizures were conducted by airport interdictions of body caiTiers identified through the wiretaps. The total amount of cmTency seized in this case is approximately $510,000.00. The vahie of the assets seized in this case amount to approximately $75,000.00. In addition, 15 firearms comprised of handguns, shotguns, and rifles were seized. In October, sixty individuals were indicted and over fifty search warrants were executed inchiding search and anest warrants in Hawaii (on Oahu and the Big Island), California, Arizona, and Nevada. These search warrants resulted in many asset seizures. All indicted subjects were arrested and several have been convicted. Investigative leads generated from cooperating defendants have resulted in significant spin-off investigations including one wiretap investigation, and a series of buy-busts and reverse operations which have resulted in approximately 13 additional arrests to date of significant targets who transport drug supplies into Hawaii. On the Big Island, Shave Ice was initiated by HCPD Detective Ernest Saldua and FBI SA Neil Rogers, who also wrote two Title Ill affidavits. HCPD Lieutenant Norman Keamo coordinated the investigation on the Hilo side of the Big Island. FBI SA Lisa Nielsen wrote the initial Title III affidavit and one later affidavit. On the Island of Oahu, the HIDTA wire-room operations were supervised by FB1 SA Daniel Brady, who wrote five Title Ill affidavits, and HPD Detective Michael Church. Most of the manpower was provided by HPD through the efforts of Captain John Lure who ensured the continuing support of the HPD cornmand. Finally, the prosecution efforts of AUSA Chris Thomas ensured that the hard work of the above team and many others reached the appropriate conclusion. DEA, ICE, MPD, HDPS, KPD, IRS, USPIS, HNG, and BATF provided significant support during the lengthy investigation. 174 2004 NationaI1 H[DTA Program Award OUTSTAND]ING IINVEST]IGAT]IVE SUPPORT CENTER Houston H[DTA - Houston H[DTA ~nvestigative Support Center The Houston Intelligence Support Center (HISC) is the intelligence centerpiece of the Houston HIDTA. Established in 1992 as the Joint Drug Intelligence Group, the HISC serves as the focal point for drug trafficking and criminal intelligence for the Houston HIDTA and area law enforcement. The FBI sponsors the Initiative, and the Houston Police Department provides a Deputy Coordinator. Other participants include ATF, DEA, the Harris County Sheriff's Office, ICE, the Texas Attorney General's Office the Texas Department of Public Safety and the USCG. The HISC also houses the Houston HIDTA Intelligence Coordinator, and works closely with him. In this multi-agency task force environment, analysts and investigators use the most advanced analytic tools and methods to collect, organize, evaluate, and analyze raw information and disseminate finished intelligence products to the Houston H IDTA comnmnity and beyond. The HISC is fully integrated into tile Houston FBl's Field Intelligence Group (FIG). HISC analysts are trained oll and have access to many of the same systems as FBI analysts, which allows tllem to provide analytical support across the law enforcement/intelligence spectrtun, regardless of investigative program. This concept originated in tile Houston HIDTA, and has become the model for other FBI Field Divisions. This model has benefited tile Houston HIDTA by providing a far more comprehensive analytical capability than would otherwise exist. One example of this integration is that HISC analysts actively participate in inulti-agency efforts such as tile Joint Intelligence Center which provided analytical services 24 hours a day during the week of tile 2004 Super Bowl and All-Star games in support of security and enforcement efforts. Houston HIDTA Initiatives and area agencies rely heavily oil the HISC. The 45 investigators, analysts, administrators and support personnel that comprise the H1SC provide all of the services outlined in H1DTA Program Guidance and the General Counterdrug Intelligence Plan except event deconfliction, which is the mission of a separate Initiative. Case/subject deconfliction is institutionalized in the Houston HIDTA and tile deconfliction database contains thousands of names. Potential conflicts are quickly identified and resolved. The HIDTA DTO list is maintained by the HISC, and continuously updated. At least one HISC analyst flom tile long-term support team (OST) is assigned to each CPOT investigation and most other priority targets, providing tile full gamut of analytical support. A short-term analytical support team, tile IRT, provides a dedicated local telephone immber, a toll-fiee long distance telephone number, and an e-mail address for agencies seeking analytical support. This team has responded to nearly 3,000 requests for support in the first eight months of 2004. These requests may be completed in a few hours, or a few weeks, depending oil the requestor's requirements. The HISC does not limit itself to reactive support. A team of investigators collects infornmtion to identify significant drug trafficking organizations m tile Houston HIDTA. Traditional investigative techniques such as informant interviews, surveillance, comnmnications collection, and undercover operations are used in furtherance of these investigations. Once tile scope of the targeted criminal conspiracy has been fully identified and assessed (often in conjunction with analytical personnel), the investigation is referred to operational units for enforcement action. Since January I, 2004, two case referrals have been disseminated to 141DTA member agencies. In addition to fully-developed case referrals, this squad also distributes 175 actionable intelligence information to operational squads or agencies for short-term enforcement action. Thirty eight (38) such disseminations have occurred so far this year. The HISC's novel prisoner debriefing concept has generated the development of cooperating individuals and witnesses in furtherance of case development. Thus far in CY/04 HISC disseminations have directly contributed to 71 arrests, and the seizure of over 60 methamphetamine labs, 7 kg methamphetamine, 60 kg of cocaine, 3 kg of heroin, 79 firearms, and $1,024,434.00. It has provided support in investigations resulting in many more arrests and seizures across the country. Nor is the HISC limited to operational intelligence. The Strategic Analysis Team (SAT) produces comprehensive threat assessments in support of the Houston HIDTA and area law enforcement. This team is responsible for the collection, analysis, and publication of strategic products such as the annual HIDTA Threat assessment, and topic-specific assessments as warranted or requested. When trends have been identified in the collection and analysis processes, the SAT has produced specific assessments to address trends such as raves, methamphetamine, and heroin. One such document, the Houston Situation Report, published in 2004, received high praise across the country for the depth of its presentation in a concise format. The SAT also develops and maintains liaison with regional enforcement agencies in order to collect and analyze intelligence. It has a working relationship with the National Drug Intelligence Center and other HIDTA and non-HIDTA intelligence operations. This team produced the 2004 Houston HIDTA Threat Assessment and assisted in the production and dissemination of pamphlets distributed to area retailers about common products used in methamphetamine production. ONDCP and others have consistently praised the Houston HIDTA Threat Assessment, particularly its reporting on drug trafficking organizations. In monthly intelligence meetings, HISC representatives provide snapshots of ongoing investigations and trends. It maintains a booklet of databases to which it has access, updates it continuously, and provides it to HIDTA Initiatives. These sources of information include local, state and federal law enforcement databases, global intelligence, and commercial databases. In 2004, the HISC and the FIG conducted a 2-day open house to showcase its capabilities. It also conducts agency-specific briefings that have been very well received. For management purposes, the HISC provides monthly, quarterly, and annual performance results. As all support is captured in electronic format, statistical information on all aspects of HISC operations is provided routinely. All analytical support and disseminations are reported, along with which agencies made the requests, whether the requesting agency is a Houston HIDTA member agency, and whether the requestor is part of a Houston HIDTA Initiative. Both the HISC management and the HIDTA management are provided current information on the extent to which Houston HIDTA Initiatives use the HISC to receive analytical support and services. As part of the Initiative Review process, all Initiatives are specifically queried about the support that the HISC provides. In the 2003 cycle, one hundred percent of Houston HIDTA Initiatives reported satisfaction with HISC services. There were no complaints, and no suggested improvements. The Initiative has been praised by area law enforcement and FBI Headquarters as well. ONDCP recently suggested that the HIDTA Assistance Center use the HISC as an object lesson in the Intelligence Management curriculum that it is currently developing, highlighting many HISC routine procedures as 'best practices' for implementation by other HIDTAs. 176 2004 National HIIDTA Program Award OUTSTANDIING COOPERATIIVE EFFORT Los Angeles H~DTA - INland Crackdown Allied Task Force In September 2003, an investigative lead was passed to INCA Task Force from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Special Operations Division (SOD) via DEA Los Angeles Field Division, Southwest Border Group Three (SWB-3). The lead consisted of three (909) area code phone numbers with information that the numbers were in contact with a large drug trafficking organization based in Guadalajara, Mexico. Based on toll analysis and investigation, including the use of the Regional Information Sharing System, through the Western State Information Network database, the DEA Multiple Source Query, and El Paso Intelligence Center checks, the phone numbers were determined to be in contact with numerous previously identified narcotics related telephones. On October 31, 2003, a California state wiretap was obtained targeting two of the numbers passed in the SOD lead. Soon after nlonitoring began, it was determined tile same individual, identified as Salvador MENDOZA, was using both phones. In December 2003, based on intercepted communications, a vehicle was identified by the INCA Task Force, which was believed to contain a load of cocaine enroute to New York. At INCA request, officers of tlle California Highway Patrol, in Victorville, California, stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was found to have hidden compartmelltS, which contained 46 kilograms of cocaine. Tile driver was arrested and prosecuted in California state court and pied guilty. Additionally in December 2003, intercepted colmnunications indicated a subject was driving a load of narcotics fronl California to Chicago, Illinois. This inforlnation was passed to Chicago, DEA who was able to identify the driver and his vehicle, which was a pick-up truck pulling a large cargo trailer. Chicago DEA was able to identify an associate of MENDOZA in Chicago as Jose URENA. During the surveillance Chicago DEA used an undercover officer to initiate a conversation with the driver, identified as Glen FULLER, of Aspen, Colorado, in a bar inside a hotel in Illinois. DEA agents later placed a court authorized tracking device in the trailer to monitor movement of tile trailer. In late December 2003 Chicago DEA advised INCA that the trailer was enroute back to California. Shortly after tile first of the year, 2004, INCA naembers were able to locate the trailer in Riverside, CA Intercepted conversations indicated the trailer was loaded with narcotics after it arrived in California, and was then returned to FULLER to be transported back to Illinois. Based on a request fiom Chicago, DEA, in tile spirit of cooperation, and in order to more fully identify the members of tile organization in Illinois and to further the investigation, a decision was made to allow tile trailer to be transported to Illinois prior to any enforcement action. FULLER left California with tile vehicle in early January 2004. On January 10, 2004, Illinois State Police stopped tile vehicle just outside of Chicago, Illinois. The trailer was searched without FULLER's knowledge, and 137 kilograms of cocaine were located in the compartnlent. In order to further tlle investigation, the compartment was returned to the original condition, and the vehicle was returned to FULLER the next day. Intercepted communications indicated that FULLER believed the cocaine was still in the trailer. Later that evening, to avoid endangering FULLER's life when he delivered an empty trailer to the drug trafficking associates in Chicago, DEA agents cut the lock of the trailer and forced open the compartment to make it appear as if" tile narcotics had been stolen. The ruse worked, and the intercepted conversations since that time led to the identification of the source of the cocaine in 177 Mexico, the identification of the transportation organization in Colorado, and the identification of other members of the organization in Chicago, Minnesota, and California. Additionally, MENDOZA was forced to travel to Mexico to explain the loss to the head of the drug trafficking organization. Members of the DEA Guadalajara, Mexico Office observed MENDOZA meeting with Luis RODRIGUEZ-OLIVERA, identified as the head of the newest CPOT organization. In August 2004, intercepted conversations indicated that MENDOZA and associates would be traveling to Monterrey, Mexico. Members of the Mexican police, working with DEA in Monterrey, followed MENDOZA to a warehouse approximately one hour from Monterrey. After MENDOZA left, Mexican officers were able to search the warehouse and located approximately 11,000 pounds of marijuana much of which was already packaged in tile boxes prepared for shipment to locations in Texas and Georgia. Additionally in August 2004, based on intercepted communications, INCA Task Force initiated surveillance on a location in Alhambra, CA. During the surveillance, INCA members observed a subject leave the location and meet with three other subjects. An exchange was observed, and the three subjects were stopped after they left the area. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery and seizure of 21 pounds of "ice" methamphetamine, and a concealed handgun. INCA Task Force members later served a search warrant at the residence in Alhambra and over 3,100 pounds of marijuana was seized. Intercepted conversations and surveillance have led to identification of associates in Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, New York, Illinois in the United States, and Los Mochis, Manzanillo, and Monterrey, Mexico. Wiretaps have been initiated in Chicago, IL, Milwaukee, MN, Atlanta, GA, and E1 Paso, TX. bnpact -- As a result of the investigation so far, a total of 208 kilograms of cocaine, 68 pounds of methamphetamine (in a form commonly known as "ice"), 32,799 pounds of marijuana, one kilogram of heroin, and $559,000 in US currency have been seized and 33 subjects have been arrested for narcotics related crimes in the United States and Mexico. Various investigative techniques have also been used, including "wall stops", pen registers, and court authorized video surveillance inside of an identified warehouse, and sealed search warrants. The investigation is continuing. 178 2004 Nationai H]IDTA Program Award OUTSTANDIING ]INVEST IGATIIVE EFFORT Los Angeles H~DTA - Southern California Drug Task Force - Group 44 - "Operation Trifecta" This nanative concerns the Los Angeles segment of Operation TRIFECTA, a national and international investigation coordinated by DEA's Special Operations Division and involving activities in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Phoenix, Chicago and various cities in Mexico. The targets were three cells connected to the ZAMBADA-GARCIA drug trafficking cartel based in Mexico. An investigation against a fourth cell is currently being conducted based on intelligence and infommnts developed from the first three cases. A search warrant conducted in Los Angeles in March 2002 and another one in November provided evidence that the AVENDANO Organization was active in the Los Angeles area. By January 2003 Group 44 had developed sufficient probable cause to allow the initiation of wire intercepts on various nlembers of the organization. Group 44 conducted 75 wiretaps over the next seventeen months, spinning off to new targets as the opportunity arose. Information gained fiom the wiretaps provided the probable cause for two border searches, 23 state and federal search warrants and ten traffic stops, all resulting in arrests and seizures. Group 44 did an outstanding job of overseeing and coordinating the enforcemelat activities of several other law enforcement agencies to inchlde U.S. hnmigration and Ctistoms Entbrcement, the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, the Kern County Sheriffs Department, the LAPD and police departinents from Los Angeles suburbs of Inglewood, Pomona, E1 Monte, Pasadena, Santa Ana and Glendale. Two additional LAH1DTA funded task forces, LA-IMPACT and LA-CLEAR also provided support to Group 44. The level of cooperation received fl-om all of these agencies was extraordinary. Group 44 also coordinated with offices across the U.S. in seeking the highest possible level of development of this case. Connections to Atlanta, Phoenix and Denver were shared with DEA offices in those cities. Information given to DEA offices in San Jose, California and Fayetteville, Arkansas allowed those offices to start intercepting telephones in their respective areas, resulting in seizures and arrests. In April 2003 Group 44 provided information to DEA Columbus, Ohio concerning a delivery of marijuana to the area. DEA Columbus seized 128 pounds of marijuana and arrested two suspects. Group 44 also developed information about a distributor in Cincinnati, Ohio who was working for their main target. Using information from Group 44's wiretap, DEA Cincinnati was initiated its own wiretap, resulting in seizures of $81,800 in Cincinnati and $206,000 in Oklahoma and important intelligence about money flows as well. Group 44 did an extraordinary amount of work that led to extraordinary accomplishments. In total 95 arrests were made; and 1,3~3 pounds of cocaine, 5,789 pounds of marijuana, 76 pounds of methamphetamine, 5.4 pounds of heroin, $4.4 million in cash and assets and numerous firearms were seized. This long-term investigation targeted an arm of one of the wealthiest and most successful Mexican cocaine cartels in operation - the ZAMBADA-GARCIA Organization. Two major figures in the cartel are currently the subjects of international arrest warrants, thus inhibiting their ability to travel, and three drug trafficking cells run by the organization have been dismantled. 179 2t)04 National HIIDTA Program Award OUTSTANDING ItNTELLI[GENCE ANALYST Los Angeles HIDTA - Jane Chung In January 2004, Jane W. Chung, Contract Intelligence Analyst, joined a multi-agency investigative team of agents and analysts in support of"Operation Vanquish Nifio ". This joint FBI and ICE led investigation targeted a significant Los Angeles based "poly-drug" Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization (MDTO) involved in money laundering and the transportation of marijuana and cocaine. Both agencies had seized significant narcotics and proceeds, but not in proportion to the organization's illegal activities known to exist. They enlisted the help of the Los Angeles Joint Drug Mtelligence Group (LAJDIG) to develop a method of approaching the case against three major targets who would not likely be cooperative with law enforcement after they were taken into custody. Upon consultation with the prosecuting attorney and case agents, and assessment of the available intelligence, Jane Chung pursued the innovative formulation of a scheme to develop documentary-style videos tailored to each target with the intent to compel the key targets to cooperate with authorities. Jane dubbed the video project, "Video Dossiers ", in reference to the traditional "file and dossier" method of interrogation. The Video Dossiers were produced using the latest computer technology available at the LAJDIG. The Video Dossiers employed the tactic of setting one target in opposition to another and exploiting the target's familial participation in criminal activities. Also, the Video Dossiers used the conventional method of feigning an abundance of knowledge on the law enforcement side by convincing the target that their crimes and behavior are well known to the authorities and it would be in their best interest to confess and cooperate. In total, three Video Dossiers were produced and custom-tailored to three separate targets. The medium used for the Vanquish Nifio Video Dossiers included still images (such as photos or seized documents), surveillance videos, consensually recorded audio conversations, excerpts from multiple line T-III wire intercepts, footage of local police traffic stops, etc. Each video illustrated each respective target's involvement and implication in the narcotics trafficking and money laundering organization. Additionally, the videos demonstrated extensive target knowledge due to audio tapes and footage of the target's family members involved in the organization, known mistresses, girlfriends, homes, businesses, associations, and travel destinations. One segment of a target's Video Dossier depicted photographs of his teenage daughter's encounter with a local police officer. The audiotape simultaneously heard in the background is a wiretapped conversation between father (target) and daughter during which he asks her to give a man a sum of $14,500 in cash (of drug proceeds), which was hidden in their home. The Video Dossier concept has an amazing impact on the psyche of the targets and thus in turn the outcome of the investigation. Case agents have highly recommended this approach for future investigations. Jane Chung's seven years of experience as a Counterintelligence Agent in the U.S. Army Reserves and two years as a LAJDIG Intelligence Analyst contributed to her exemplary performance on the Video Dossier project. Her understanding of Psychological Operations in the military allowed her to identify and exploit the weaknesses of the key targets in order to persuade them to cooperate with law enforcement. / 180 The takedown and interrogations of the three key subjects is indicative of the effectiveness of the Video Dossiers. All three targets are cooperating based upon the effectiveness of this product. Though many investigative and analytical efforts have brought this case to fruition, the crucial role of the innovative Video Dossiers was instrumental in contributing to the overall successful outcome of the "Operation Vanquish Ni~o ". Additionally, Jane Chung has assisted in several multi-agency investigations in the last year and she has repeatedly proven herself to be professional when representing the LAJDIG and working with clients. Her nomination is supported through her innovative development of Video Dossiers, which at their core utilize intelligence and analytical approaches, coupled with proven psychological principles that she has ingeniously adapted for a law enforcement setting. Video Dossiers have become a vital support product that the LAJDIG provides to its clients. The Video Dossiers help to enhance the LA-HIDTA's utility and participation in future investigations, not only enhancing the professional products available, but also promoting the analytical support offered through the HIDTA. The Video Dossiers concept should be considered a "best practice" and used as a national model for HIDTA Intelligence Support Centers in support of their clients. 181 2004 Na ionan H[DTA Program Award OUTSTANDIING IINTERDIICT]ION EFFORT Midwest HIDTA - DEA Kansas City lnterdiction Task Force (KC[TF) The KCITF is multi-agency task force that targets drug trafficking organizations utilizing private or commercial modes of transportation, shipping or temporary lodging to facilitate the delivery of drugs or proceeds. The interception of drug/money couriers directly impacts Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO) operating in other areas of the country. The KCITF initiates interdiction investigations through direct support of Operation Pipeline by rapidly responding to the scene of the initial stop/arrest and relieving the road officer of the follow up investigative burden. KCITF conducts interviews, processes prisoners, coordinates all collected evidence with the appropriate DEA and HIDTA entities and presents the case to prosecutors. Reference Operation Jetway, KCITF agents recruit and maintain Confidential Sources at the Kansas City International Airport to include: Airline employees, baggage handlers, security screeners and rental car agencies and initiate investigations as needed. The KCITF routinely responds to area hotels/motels looking for persons with prior drug history or displaying known courier characteristics. Using proven surveillance techniques, probable cause is developed and interdiction stops are made. Nearly all such operations yield useful intelligence; some have resulted in sizeable seizures of drugs and currency. Since January 1, 2004, the KCITF initiated 73 cases, affected 87 arrests, obtained high conviction rates and seized $3,159,810 in assets. During that same time the KCITF achieved the following drug removals: 133 kilograms cocaine, 2,568 kilograms marijuana, 912 live marijuana plants, 20.5 kilograms methamphetamine, 0.92 kilograms of Heroin, 70 fluid ounces of PCP and 6,000 dosage units of MDMA. The KCITF conducted four controlled delivery operations to various cities across the country and received five controlled delivery operations into Kansas City. Derivative Case Example On February 13, 2004, a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) Trooper stopped a vehicle occupied by 2 occupants oil 1-70 west of Topeka. During a subsequent consensual search, 12 kilograms of cocaine was located inside the tailgate. KCITF agents responded, downloaded and disseminated telephone intelligence. Through interviews and telephone analysis KCITF agents determined that the subject was the son of a previously arrested courier, who was arrested by the KHP on Decernber 11, 2003, in possession of 24 kilograms of cocaine. This subject confessed to the facilitation of over 100 ten to 30 kilogram cocaine transactions with the same source of supply in Denver. This son utilized his Mother, to transport cocaine from Denver to his customer base in Washington D.C. In coordination with the SOD, the Denver DEA Division and the Washington DEA Division, both the source of supply and the intended recipients have been identified and face future federal indictment. As a result of the information collected by the KCITF, the Denver Division initiated a Title III investigation that intercepted four separate telephone lines. The Washington, Chicago, Boston and Newark Divisions all continue to actively investigate this identified organization. 182 2094 Nat~onaO HIIDTA Program Award OUTSTANDIlNG COOPERAT]IVE EFFORT North Texas H~DTA - Northern Drug Squad (NDS) In 2002, the NDS, which is a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lead HIDTA Initiative, initiated an investigation into Scotty Jay Pilcher who was identified as a major methamphetamine (METH) distributor. The NDS executed a search warrant at Pilcher's residence resulting in the arrest of 9 subjects, and the seizure of 53,000 pseudoephedrine tablets and 38 firearms. On the same day, the Pilcher investigation was approved as an OCEDTF investigation and was designated "Operation White Mercury". As the Pilcher investigation continued, the NDS executed nunaerous search waiTants, resulting in the dismantling of 6 clandestine laboratories and a "super lab", located on Pilcher's grandfather's property. Pilcher and other co-conspirators later admitted that over 100 lbs of M ETH had been manufactured at the super lab between August of 2001 and April of 2002. On May 14, 2003 the NDS indicted 18 subjects in the Pilcher investigation. At that time, Paul Lynn Schlieve, a former University of North Texas professor was identified as financing the manufiicture of METH at the Pines 2 Paradise (P2P) ranch in rural Cooke County, Texas. The acronym P2P (A reference to an old technique for manuthcturing METH) was intentional. After the referenced indictments, several subjects began providing proffer statements. These statements and other suspicious activity led investigators to a Walgreen Pharmacy in Denton, Texas. DEA Diversion conducted numerous interviews and determined that Pilcher and his associates had been allowed to purchase unlimited quantities of pseudoephedrine. Further, Walgreen had failed to comply with federal regulations and no suspicious purchase reports had been filed with DEA. Walgreen's subsequently turned over a surveillance video showing subject Donnie Pence, an associate of subject Pilcher, purchasing two shopping carts full of pseudoephedrine tablets at the Denton, Texas Walgreen at 2:00 am in the morning and took almost two hours to check out due to the packaging and sales restrictions. On September 10, 2003, 7 additional subjects, inchlding Dr. Schlieve, were charged in a superceding indictment. On January 23, 2004, Dr. Schlieve was convicted by a jury of his peers. By the time of Dr. Schlieve's trial, the other 24 people charged in the conspiracy had pied guilty. As a result of the Pilcher investigation and the prosecution of Dr. Schlieve, "D" magazine, a prominent Dallas based publication, wrote an excellent article in the summer of 2004, on Dr. Schlieve that helped to publicize the nature and extent of the METH problem in North East Texas. The NDS also initiated an investigation into .lesus Valencia Farias and his family. The Farias investigation demonstrated that traditional Mexican Drug Cartels are heavily involved in the distribution METH/ICE in North East Texas. The Farias investigation led to 11 federal indictments and the seizure of over 30 lbs of METH/ICE. An additional 7 indictments are anticipated in early 2005. In August of 2003, United States Attorney (USA) Matt Orwig responded to the Pilcher investigation, "Operation White Mercury," the Farias investigation, and other prominent cases by creating the Eastern District METH Initiative (EDMI) with the NDS. The EDMI was created out of the growing METH problem, which is prevalent within the Eastern District of Texas. The initiation of the EDMI was a direct restllt of"Operation White Mercury" and the action taken by 183 USA Orwig. Over tile last 12 months the EDMI has facilitated the federal prosecution of numerous worthy subjects and has generated several multi-defendant sub-investigations, which are being worked as stand alone cases. As of September 13, 2004, the EDMI has produced 27 indictments, 20 arrests, 19 convictions, 8 criminal enterprise disruptions, 5 criminal complaints, $79,235 in forfeitures (approximately $20,000 more pending), and the seizure of 13.611 Kilos (30 lbs) of METH (Cocaine, Marijuana, GHB and other drugs have also been seized). "Operation White Mercury" has been a very cost effective investigation. The historical nature of tile conspiracy has eliminated the need for many expensive proactive investigative techniques. To date, more than 50 overt acts have been identified. The most remarkable accomplishments associated with the EDMI occurred during the summer of 2004. Relying on source information, the NDS initiated an investigation concerning a subject identified as Prindle. To date, a dozen subjects associated with Prindle have been identified and three have been indicted. Numerous additional federal indictments are anticipated. On August 26, 2004 the most significant subject in the Prindle investigation was arrested. The NDS in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies utilized a source to secure the delivery of over 17 lbs of METH/1CE. This METH was obtained from Leionardo Alvarado Blanco, a.k.a. "El Tigre." It was 94% pure and the street value easily exceeds one million dollars. The 17 lbs of METH is believed to have originated from Mexico and efforts are underway to fully identify the source of supply thereby developing a CPOT connection. Finally, in August 2004 an FBI source provided information that led to the arrest of Richard Carl Roberts and the search of Roberts' residence wherein METH, firearms, and a videotape containing child pornography were discovered. The investigation revealed that Roberts had been using METH to obtain the cooperation of a juvenile for the purpose of manufacturing child pornography, which Roberts intended to distribute over the lnternet. On September 8, 2004 Roberts was charged in a 5 count federal indictment. Captioned matter and the associated sub-investigations are a true cooperative effort of not only the larger federal agencies involved in the EDMI, but that of local law enforcement agencies. Most, if not all, of the local law enforcement agencies participating within the EDMI acquiesced their prosecutive venue on very deserving subjects and instead have allowed for federal prosecution within a larger conspiracy investigation. In the fall of 2004, 12 to 16 additional indictments are anticipated. 184 2004 National Hi[DTA Program Award OUTSTAND]ING IINTELL GENCE ANALYST New York / New Jersey HIDTA - Alan Goldfisher Mr. Goldfisher is the Supervisor of the Strategic Group within the Money Laundering Intelligence Section of the Regional Intelligence Center. In his role as the Strategic Group Supervisor, Mr. Goldfisher leads a unit of 10 law enforcement officers and intelligence analysts representing five law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The Money Laundering Intelligence Section is one of five sections comprising the New York/New Jersey HIDTA Regional Intelligence Center ("RIC"). It was established following the designation of the El Dorado Task Force as the High Intensity Financial Crimes Area (HIFCA) for the New York metropolitan area. The Money Laundering Intelligence Section (HIFCA) provides direct support to the E1 Dorado Task Force and serves as a repository for money laundering intelligence for all law enforcement in the New York metropolitan area. USE OF INNOVATIVE ANALYTICAL SUPPORT Mr. Goldfsher has been instrumental in the formulation of the Strategic Group for the last 18 months. He has greatly contributed to the successful implementation of original programs for identifying money laundering trends and patterns. In addition he has worked with the fnancial community to identify new methods for identifying the illegal movement of money to the Middle East and Southwest Asia. These methods now serve as the model for the country. Example: Mr. Goldfisher directed members of his group in the analysis of hundreds of Yemen-owned deli/grocery businesses operating in the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere in the US that are operating as illegal money remitters. Mr. Goldfisher developed a methodology to examine relationships between these businesses and their role in moving millions of dollars a year to Yemen, mostly as unreported outbound funds. It is believed that these businesses are operating as illegal money remitters (Hawalas), which avoid the banking system and all reporting requirements. Based on the analysis of these businesses Mr. Goldfisher developed over 50 targets and referred them to the El Dorado Task Force, NYPD, HHS, FDA, USPIS and other agencies for investigation. Example: In conjunction with an investigation being conducted by ICE, SAC, NY, Mr. Goldfisher directed the analysis of multiple boxes of documents associated with a large KHAT smuggling organization. The analysis, fi'om a khat smuggling case, resulted in the identification of over 30 narcotics couriers and over one million dollars in proceeds. Mr. Goldfisher and his analysts met with the case agents and US attorney to present the analytical findings that resulted in the indictment of the main subject on money laundering and conspiracy charges. Example: Money Orders - directed the analysis of over 2,500 instances of money orders purchased in the NY area and negotiated in banks in Yemen. Mr. Goldfisher developed a method to look at the financial documents after they had been negotiated overseas thereby being able not only to identify the originator of the financial document but also those that negotiated the money overseas. This enabled Mr. Goldfisher to coordinate with the New York area 185 financial institutions and was able to identify in excess of $300 million in funds that were primarily purchased with maximum denomination, even dollar amount money orders. Using this information, analysis was conducted on NY area money order agents whose daily activity appeared suspicious. A total of 12 targets were developed based on this analysis and referred for further investigation. Example: Geographic and Industry Studies were initiated to identify money laundering techniques, fraudulent banking schemes including credit card bust outs and businesses or industries in the New York area and nationwide that perpetuate or facilitate these schemes. Statistical analysis of credit card bust out activity revealed that from 4/1/96- 8/31/04 a total of over $900,000 Suspicious Activity Reports were filed by financial institutions. Approximately 237,000 (27%) were categorized tinder violations which are indicative of bust out schemes. Much of the money derived from these schemes fall into the hands of non-US citizens; some potentially being used to support or fund terrorism. Under Mr. Goldfisher's direction, HIFCA initiated a project to promote the investigation and prosecution of subjects revolved in bust out schemes. In one scenario a three block section of Brooklyn, NY was reviewed for financial and criminal activity. As a restllt, he was able to identify a potential conspiracy involving a group of middle eastern nationals that are engaged in organized schemes to defraud financial institutions utilizing a variety of methods that included bust OUt schemes, check fraud, fraudulent casino lines of credit as well as immigration frauds and outstanding warrants. The credit card bust out project initiated by Mr. Goldfisher has resulted in an active ICE JFK investigation involving bust out activity and human smuggling. DIRECTION Mr. Goldfisher's analytical and law enforcement experience has been a critical factor in the developmental success of the Strategic Group of the Money Laundering Intelligence Section. In addition he has been instrumental in establishing a successful working relationship between law enforcement and the financial community in the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Goldfisher consistently develops innovative ideas and concepts to improve the intelligence collection process and information sharing among law enforcement agencies, financial regulators and the financial community. COMMITMENT TO THE HIDTA PROGRAM Mr. Goldfisher regularly conducts presentations within the law enforcement and financial comnmnity in order to develop new sources of infornlation as it pertains to financial crimes. The information exchange provides a means of coordinating law entbrcement and financial comlnunity information that can be analyzed and disseminated for use by other law enforcement agencies. The information is shared with law enforcement and regulatory agencies at regular H IFCA meetings, sponsored conferences and at symposiums for the financial community. 186 2004 Nafioaan H[DTA Program Award OUTSTAND]ING TASK FORCE COMMANDER Ohio H~DTA - Cleveland FB~ Supervisory Special Agent Stephen E. Vogt The Caribbean/ Gang Drug Task Force (CGDTF) has been the prernier Ohio HIDTA Drug task force since the Ohio HIDTA was formed in 1999. This multi-agency HIDTA initiative has been supervised by Cleveland FBI Supervisory Special Agent Stephen E. Vogt since December of 2000. The CGDTF consists of 4 FBI agents, 1 DEA agent, 1 IRS agent and 15 state and local task force officers with the primary focus o,1 working long-term, multi-state conspiracy investigations with links to international Consolidated Priority Targets (CPOT) as outlined in both the HIDTA and OCDETF national program goals. As the Task Force Commander of the CGDTF, SSA Vogt has organized and coordinated intelligence sharing amongst multiple federal, state and local Northern Ohio law enforcement agencies in order to identify local drug trafficking organizations (DTO's) with the goal of linking these DTO's to national and international CPOT targets. 1. Use of Innovation in Supervisory Investigations Since taking command of the CGDTF HIDTA Initiative, SSA Vogt has refocused task force personnel away from street-level buy/bust operations to more sophisticated multi-state, inulti-jurisdictional conspiracy cases that impact other HIDTA regions. SSA Vogt has provided direction and coordination over the CGDTF HIDTA Initiative's complex investigations. SSA Vogt has emphasized the importance of telephone toll manipulation and the usage of the Special Operations Division (SOD) in order to link local DTO's to higher-level national/international DTO's. SSA Vogt developed the innovative idea of having HIDTA CGDTF personnel draft spin-off'Title III affidavits and provide court orders to other HIDTA regions' task forces to move the cases forward throughout the country. This technique has made it easier for HIDTA groups in other regions to initiate Title I!i spin-off investigations on targets significant in their jurisdiction. During this past year SSA Vogt was unique in his application of Global Positioning Technology (GPS) to track cellular communications on a DTO. This is a unique application of this technology to locate and identify movement of large drug shipments. SSA Vogt successflilly used this technique in OCDETF investigation '°Noon Ore" to track and intercept a tractor-trailer, bound for Ohio flom the Southwest Border loaded with 1000 lbs. of marijuana and 30 kilograms of cocaine. 2. Leadership and Direction After September I1, 2001, FBI Headquarters directed FBI field offices to re-assign a large contingent of drug investigators to counter-terrorism matters. However the Cleveland Division was made an exception due in part to the strength and comnlitnlent of SSA Vogt's HIDTA Initiative's drug progranl and the impact it has had on the national level in reducing the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. During the 2004 reporting period under SSA Vogt's leadership and direction, CGDTF HIDTA Initiative developed 25 Title Ill investigations and passed 6 spin-oft~ investigations to law enforcement agencies in Phoenix, Tucson, Miami and 187 New York. SSA Vogt has personally drafted Title III affidavits for other HIDTA groups to move cases up the chain to identify and prosecute the hierarchy of national/international DTO's. SSA Vogt has been certified by the Federal District Court in Northern Ohio to testify as an expert witness on drug cases. SSA Vogt has taught Title III investigative techniques at the FBI Academy, Cleveland Heights Police Academy, Chicago FBI Field Office and the Ohio HIDTA to further exploit the usage of the Title III investigative technique. 3. Commitment to the HIDTA Program SSA Vogt is a firm believer in the HIDTA and OCDETF national strategy of promoting intelligence sharing for the purpose of identifying and investigating multi-state, multi- jurisdictional DTO's. Over the past year, SSA Vogt's HIDTA Initiative has shared intelligence that resulted in six spin-off investigations to other HIDTA regions. SSA Vogt has coordinated investigative activity with other HIDTA regions in order to maximize the dismantlement of the entire DTO. During the past year, the CGDTF HIDTA Initiative under SSA Vogt's leadership has achieved the following successes as a result of his commitment to the HIDTA Program: • 25 Title III's • Interception and analysis of over 20,000 wiretap telephone conversations • 6 spin-off Title III's to other HIDTA regions • Over 100 indictments • Seizures include: o 60 kg of cocaine o 1022 lbs marijuana o $500,000 cash o $2 million in property and assets SSA Vogt has been a powerful proponent of innovative and sophisticated investigative techniques to promote intelligence sharing throughout the HIDTA program and push investigations beyond the borders of the Ohio HIDTA. 188 2004 National HIDTA Program Award OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE EFFORT RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT ASSET FORFEITURE Rocky Mountain HIDTA - Southern Colorado Task Force - "Operation Forklift" The Southern Colorado Task Force targeted an organization involved primarily in the distribution of cocaine and money laundering activities by individuals in the Colorado Springs metro area. It is estimated that the organization distributes over 2,000 kilos of cocaine and generates 40 million dollars annually. As the investigation progressed, the documentation and evidence linked this group to a consolidated priority organization target (CPOT) Vicente Carillo- Fuentes. Southern Colorado Task Force worked this case fulltime for 2 years. They utilized 52 pen registers, 20 Title III intercepts, satellite tracking devices, cell site surveys, aircraft, pole cameras, recruitment of infornlants and interviews of potential witnesses/defendants. The task force also engaged in thousands of miles of surveillances coordinated with other jurisdictions across the country. Surveillances were successfully supervised, established and maintained to and from Chicago, Illinois, Greensborough, North Carolina and El Paso, Texas. All of the evidence collected on this on-going investigation involved extensive use of the federal grand jury system. Some of the highlights of the investigation included: o January 2003-Agents seized 265 kilos of cocaine. The controlled delivery to New York resulted in seizing 1.4 million dollars. o March 2003-Undercover agents purchased a kilo of cocaine from one of the primaries in Colorado Springs, which resulted in the identification of the ranch where the cocaine was stored. o May 2003- Agents seized 270 pounds of marijuana, 5 weapons, and $143,000 cash in Woodland Park, Colorado. May 2003- Agents seized approximately 2 millions dollars in Pueblo, Colorado. o July 2003- Agents seized $350,000 cash in Chicago Illinois. o July 2003- Agents seized $700,000 cash in E1 Paso, Texas. o August 2003- Agents seized 14 kilograms of cocaine and an assault rifle in Pueblo, Colorado. o September 2003- Agents seized 548 kilograms of cocaine in Chicago, Illinois. o October 2003- Agents seized $1,395,000 cash in New York City. ,, October 2003- Agents seized ½ million dollars cash in New York City. o November 2003- Agents seized $830,000 cash in Greeley, Colorado. o November 2003-Agents seized 1.7 million dollars cash in Chicago, Illinois. o November 2003-Agents seized $86,552 cash in El Paso, Texas. o December 2003-Agents seized 125 kilos of cocaine in El Paso, Texas. As a restllt of the efforts of the Southern Colorado Task Force and in cooperation with drug law enforcement authorities throughout Colorado, Texas, New York, North Carolina and Illinois, this drug trafficking organization and money laundering group was dismantled in tile spring/sunmler of 2004 with the arrest of 60 members of the organization, seizure of 1,824 kilos 189 of cocaine, 521 pounds of marijuana, and $8,900,000 cash. Three high level members of the Mexican Cartel have been indicted in Colorado. This investigation has also led to "spin off~' wire intercepts in three different DEA Divisions. This is historically one of the most significant investigations ever completed out of the Rocky Mountain region and has had major impact nationwide. The Southern Colorado Drug Task Force felt that the cooperation and coordination nationwide with various HIDTAS, federal authorities, as well as state and local authorities, was tremendous. This case has and will continue to have inflicted a tremendous blow to tile Vicente Carillo-Fuentes organization, particularly related to their bulk currency system. 190 2004 Nafionan HIID3FA Program Award ONDC D]IREC3I'OR $ AWARD Washington / Baltimore H~DTA -Director, Thomas H. Carr Few individuals involved in the National HIDTA Program have contributed as much as Thomas Carr. Since 1988, he has played an active role in shaping the HIDTA Program and led the way in encouraging HIDTAs to adopt the latest developments in technology and intelligence techniques. His leadership and vision have contributed to the HIDTA Program's success and growth in numerous ways both great and small. Tllomas Carr began working with the staff of the National HIDTTA Program in late 1989 after a distinguished career with the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Governor's Drag and Alcohol Abuse Commission. During the early years of the HIDTA Program, he used his expertise in drug enforcement and law enforcement intelligence operations to help ONDCP staff shape the HIDTA Program's approach to drug enforcement. When the Washington Baltimore HIDTA was designated in February of 1994, Mr. Carr quickly emerged as the one candidate for Director who could command the trust and respect of the many agencies that would be participating in the newly formed HIDTA's activities. From the very beginning, Mr. Cart turned to technology and innovative intelligence and investigative techniques to address the claallenges faced by the W/B HIDTA region. To improve communication and coordination among initiatives located throughout the H1DTA region (which includes areas of Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia), he worked with his technology staff to build a wide area network which today connects more than 400 computers. Realizing the potential of information technology to improve information sharing, he secured HIDTA and outside grant funds to develop the Case Explorer system (a case management/case deconfliction system) and the H IDTA Automated Treatment System (an information system that allows treatment providers and criminal justice system professionals to track offenders in treatment from intake through the completion of their treatment programs after their release on probation or parole). With the help of Dr. John Eck, a nationally known expert on crime mapping and the relationship between crime and place, he established the Evaluation and Crime Mapping Unit (the first of its kind in the FtlDTA Program) to assist law enforcement and intelligence personnel in evaluating drug trafficking and crime patterns, conducting geo-targeting studies to identify areas suffering from the highest concentration of drug activity and evaluating the effects of enforcement efforts in targeted areas. He has also taken a leading role in promoting regional and national information sharing efforls, such as supporting the connection of" 1-11DTAs to the RISS network and working with the Philadelphia/Canaden HIDTA to promote use of its DIGS data mining system. Thomas Carr has also distinguished himself as one of the HIDTA Program's most capable directors. His leadership and determination to see that all participating agencies received an equal voice in the HIDTA's affairs was instrumental in unifying the HIDTA during its early days. As participating agencies' commitment to the HIDTA grew, he harnessed this growing sense of unity to build support for addressing several challenging issues. He worked closely with the Executive Board's commiltees to enhance fiscal accountability at the initiative level and promote an active role for committee and Executive Board members in the budget process. He has been a prominent supporter of the HIDTA's intelligence program, encouraging initiative supervisors to adopt intelligence-driven investigative techniques, assisting participating agencies 191 in building their own information sharing programs and helping to generate Executive Board support for expanding and reorganizing the HIDTA's intelligence program to meet changing drug threats. As the W/B HIDTA confronted the challenges posed by limited funding and large- scale redeployment of personnel and resources following the September 11 terrorist attacks, his quiet example and commitment to fair play were invaluable in preserving the smooth and efficient operation of the HIDTA and its initiatives. His greatest contributions to the HIDTA Program's management culture have come in the area of performance measurement. Building on the example set by the HIDTA's Treatment/Criminal Justice Program, Mr. Cart has been the driving force behind efforts to develop meaningful and quantifiable measurements of each initiative's performance, actively encouraging the Executive Board and its committees to mandate regular statistical reporting and the use of electronic systems such as Case Explorer and HATS to track progress on key outcomes. His expertise in this area was recognized by the HDAC when he was chosen to lead several committees that played key roles in helping the HIDTA Program to develop the HIDTA Performance Standards and revise its performance measurement policies. In 2003 and 2004, his years of effort in this area culminated in the design and adoption of the HIDTA Program's new Performance Measurement Process (PMP) system. The PMP system is a truly unique achievement, providing a performance measurement system flexible enough to meet the needs of the various HIDTA regions yet powerful enough to provide ONDCP with the data needed to conclusively demonstrate the HIDTA Program's effectiveness. His ongoing involvement in training HIDTA region staff and implementing the new system is sure to pay many dividends to both the individual HIDTA regions and the National HIDTA Program in the years to come. Mr. Carr's leadership at the HIDTA Program's national level has not been restricted solely to performance measurement. Over the years, he has played an active part in HDAC efforts to improve the HIDTA Program's financial management, intelligence systems and information technology. At the request of ONDCP staff, he has taken part in various efforts to develop improved intelligence sharing (such as planning for development of the National Virtual Pointer System) and has assisted a number of newly-appointed HIDTA Directors in setting up their operations. His dedication to the principles of the HIDTA Program and his determination to help it grow and succeed have won him the respect and admiration of his fellow Directors and ONDCP staff alike. Thomas CarT'S numerous accomplishments have benefited not only the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA, but the National HIDTA Program as a whole. His many contributions have played an invaluable role in making the HIDTA Program what it is today. 192 - - , ..... t.s.. .2077 ;; ...... " :- ~-2 -(, -v , 2004 National H DTA Program Award OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE EFFORT RESULTING IN S GNIHCANT ASSET FORFEITURE Southwest Border H~DTA, West Texas Regional Partnership - "Operation Lone Star" Operation Lone Star is a unique HIDTA initiative. Lone Star is not the usual initiative in the traditional full-time collocated sense. This initiative is an umbrella initiative covering an enormously expansive border region with joint, cooperative, inter-agency interdiction operations. Operation Lone Star is organized to capitalize on intelligence and information that will lead to successful interdiction operations along the border highways, desert crossings, and Border Patrol checkpoints. Participating agencies in Operation Lone Star will collaborate and conduct joint interdiction operations that target, interdict and seize a substantial amount of drugs, vehicles and Drug Trafficking Organization proceeds. The success of this initiative in its cooperative investigative and interdiction efforts through the multi-agency task force concept resulted in a signifcant disruptive impact to drug trafficking in tile Big Bend region. Throughout 2003 and 2004, significant operations within tile Marfa Border Patrol Sector included "Hilltop l & 11, Gear Jammer 2003, Gear Jammer II 2003", netting significant amounts of marijuana, weapons and vehicles seized. Additionally, El Paso Sector Operation "Cobija XIV" netted significant amounts of marijuana, vehicles, and cocaine seized. Communication and counter-drug measures initiated through the Operation Lone Star initiative - between U.S. Border Patrol and counterpart county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies - have resulted in the disruption of 7 local, 2 regional, 2 national, and 1 international drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in calendar year 2003. These disruptions have continued throughout 2004. Counter-drug measures resulted in the seizure of currency in the amount of $648,005, vehicle assets valued at $7,004,415, the seizure of 82,317.67 kilos of marijuana, 793 kilos of cocaine, and 9.523 kilos of heroin, leading to 968 arrests. Drug trafficking organizations' operations and financial returns are disrupted and reduced due to the outstanding interdiction efforts of tiffs initiative. Liaison between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and interdiction techniques initiated by Operation Lone Star have led to the increase of jurisdictional cooperation in a vast region. Without this cooperation, it would be extremely difficult for a single agency to succeed in the prevention of narcotics further invading our country. The liaison among these agencies developed into further investigations by the Department of Homeland Security -- Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration that has led to targeting and dismantling multiple organizations. Initiative quantitative efforts significantly breached narcotics trafficking activities to the area. Ongoing investigative efforts between these agencies and the Operation Lone Star initiative are predicted to disrupt and possibly dismantle drug trafficking organizations affecting the West Texas HIDTA Region in the future. Asset forfeiture and vehicle seizure numbers demonstrated by Operation Lone Star and participating law enforcement agencies impeded the narcotics traffickers' profits and armed the West Texas HIDTA Region with accountable measures for further funding of its mission - to deter, disrupt, and dismantle narco-terrorisna threatening national security. 193 iZi~7~7'~~i~!i~'~C'~ ili ~i !ii!i!~~L~I~'II]~!!!171!I¸~ i'i ~i!~"~ ,!!i, ~ ;~L~II~I)~ ~ ~ ~~i ~:~:,~ • ¸¸¸¸~~,,,,,~,~ ¸¸¸¸¸¸¸...... ~,, i + ~'i :i ii i iil i ~iiT!iiiiiiiiiii~;iilD:~ i i!~i~!ii~;: i)~ili~i!)i ¸¸¸7¸i¸¸¸ iii ii(~ !ii~iiiii~ii!ii~i ~IIiiIii~i~ i~!ii~!ii~i! i~iiiiii~i~ii!i~i~i~,~i~ii~ i,i!~ii~iii!i:~~~! iii !i~ iii~i~!~;i!i~i~~ ii !; ~ii~i~ii~ ,~i ~,~ ~ ~;ii~ ~