The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) currently coordinates with Federal, state, and local counterparts across 223 domestic offices, as well as 86 offices in 67 foreign countries (U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration 2014, DEA-12-13). It can be safely assumed that their coordinated counter-narcotic operations can and will run into some issues. In 1996, Harold Brown and Warren Rudman wrote about how the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the DEA were essentially duplicating counter-narcotics missions around the world. They believed that this created more conflict and that it could also taint the CIA by informants involved in drug trafficking activities (Brown an Rudman 1996). Although it isn’t a huge issue today, there are still some issues with information duplication. Not only does information or operation duplication challenge the operation, it costs more money, it uses unnecessary resources, valuable time, and risks the lives of agents. Another important factor encountered when coordinating these operations is the lack of collaboration from foreign entities. Drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) will often buy off politicians or law enforcement officers, this therefore thwarts counter-narcotic operations. The fact that drug traffickers change tactics and routes definitely creates a problem in coordinating counter-narcotics operations. Many DTOs pick up on the efforts made by U.S. counter-drug and law enforcement agencies and quickly adopt and adapt to new methods.

There are many benefits to coordinated counter-narcotic operations. For example the DEA trains many of its partners, just in Fiscal year 2012; the DEA trained 49,118 state and local officers (DOJ DEA 2014, DEA-13). The DEA has also been able to share intelligence and resources with its federal and state partners. The DEA was able to aid foreign partners in developing self-sufficient, effective drug law enforcement programs. The DEA has been able to successfully coordinate counter-narcotic programs with other agencies. In 2010 it created the first-ever National Take Back Initiative in which it worked with “3,000 state and local law enforcement partners, take-back sites were established at more than 4,000 locations across the United States. [and] Approximately 121 tons of potentially dangerous drugs were collected during the one-day event” (DOJ DEA 2014, DEA-77). Counter-narcotic efforts made by agencies in the U.S. are definitely beneficial and extremely necessary.

Reference List

Brown, Harold, and Warren B. Rudman. 1996. The Role of Intelligence, in Preparing for the 21st Century. Diane Publishing, (February 23). http://fas.org/irp/offdocs/int006.html

U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. 2014. FY 2014 Performance Budget Congressional Submission. https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/jmd/legacy/2014/02/28/dea-justification.docx.

What are some benefits and problems encountered in coordinating counter-narcotics operations?There are many problems that coordinating counter-narcotic operations encounter, beginning with the country of origin for the drugs. I have learned in this class that, drugs being trafficked in to the U.S. originate from countries like Afghanistan, Mexico and Columbia. Most of these countries that traffic drugs are poverty ridden countries, therefore the governments of these countries don’t have the money and resources to invest in counter-narcotics operations like the U.S. does. Due to the limited money and resources in these countries, this allows traffickers to organize and sophisticate their illegal crime rings, because their home countries are focused on wars and other unruly business that goes on in that country. This helps traffickers avoid being detected by American drug enforcement agencies. Which does not help with the USA’s fight to combat illegal drugs and the illegal activities that go along with them.

The benefits in coordinating counter narcotics operations, is that there are many agencies sharing information. When information is disseminated down and around to all the coordinating agencies one counter narcotic agency may not find the information useful, mean while another coordinating counter narcotics agency may need the information. As the intelligence is gathered and disseminated, it may not make sense on its own, but if a coordinating agency gets a piece of information that they can use and they add it to the information that they already have, it can be the puzzle piece needed to see the entire operation, allowing them to intervene and seize the drugs. The video “Tunnel Task Force” from this weeks reading and resources, shows how a piece of information from several sources helped the HSI San Diego, who formed a Tunnel Task Force comprised of ICE, DEA and border patrol. The coordinating agencies worked together with information they already then added the new information. They did not know the exact warehouse, but they knew the general area, and were able to stop the plan before the traffickers could see it all the way through.

The World Health Organization has always considered narcotics harmful for ones' health. Consequently, various states around the world have made some drugs including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin illegal. Moreover, these drugs have dangerous effects on people’s health and may lead to undesirable. Ventures in countering narcotic operations have faced numerous challenges all over the world. Therefore, following the justification that is evident, the fight against the cultivation, manufacture, and distribution of drugs ought to be encouraged.

Foremost, the benefits of fighting illegal drugs will see a redeemed social condition. Society needs people who are upright and mentally okay with the law and order to prevail. Narcotics, on the other hand, bring this order in the reverse. Most communities that have a high level of drug intake usually experience lawlessness. From isolated crimes to well-managed gangs and cartels, the police will always find it hard to curb and control this issue. However, with the well-coordinated counter-narcotic operation, law and order will prevail; hence, drugs will no longer be trafficked, and crimes will be no more. Moreover, a perfect economy will emerge since money laundering will be a past event.

However, this great course face numerous challenges when coordinating counter-narcotics operations. For example, foreign officials are often corrupt and players in this game (Kleiman & Hawdon, 2011). Furthermore, globalization of the world has seen social media connecting cartels efficiently, thereby curtailing efforts of countering the drug empires. Recently, many jurisdictions have ventured to legalize marijuana. This has proved to be quite a daunting task for the counter narcotic operations. The changes made by various states in defining legal drugs could affect the uniform system worldwide, allowing distribution of the foreign substance that is evidently harmful to human health.

The fight against drug trafficking and narcotics should be advanced. After accomplishing this task, peace, stability, and harmonious coexistence of people as well as economic development will become a reality.

References

Kleiman, M., & Hawdon, J. (2011). Encyclopedia of drug policy: "the war on drugs" past, present, and future. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE.