Federal Law Enforcement Honored at White House for Disrupting Drug Trade
Law enforcement officers from across the nation were recently honored at the White House, for their work in fighting the drug trade.
The annual United States Interdiction Coordinator Awards honor law enforcement officers who show “exemplary work to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and dismantle the criminal networks fueling the nation’s overdose epidemic.”
The awards were handed out by Dr. Rahul Gupta, the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
“I’m proud to honor the heroic efforts of these law enforcement leaders today who are working tirelessly around the clock to prevent deadly drugs from reaching our communities and hurting vulnerable Americans. The Biden-Harris Administration is grateful for their steadfast partnership, and will continue to support life-saving law enforcement efforts to reduce overdoses, deprive drug traffickers of their profits, and keep Americans safe,” said Dr. Gupta.
Land Interdiction
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Hartford’s Northeast Corridor Border Enforcement Security Task Force (NE-BEST) was awarded the Land Interdiction Award for its operation that focused on illegal drug and bulk currency smuggling. Over 80 kilograms of illicit substances and over $800,000 in cash was seized in 2023.
HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol credited cooperation between HSI, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and state and local partners.
“The achievements of the HSI Hartford Northeast Corridor BEST team show what is possible when we reach for ambitious goals and work together,” Special Agent Krol.
Highway Interdictions
Officer Julian Armijo of the New Mexico State Police and the HSI High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force was awarded the Highway Interdictions Award for a routine traffic stop that turned into a drug bust. Officer Armijo spotted criminal activity and conducted a probable cause search of the car that resulted in the seizure of over ten kilograms of fentanyl pills.
Maritime Interdiction
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James was awarded the Maritime Interdiction Award for pursuing a vessel with contraband off the coast of Ecuador. That vessel was intercepted and over 1,700 grams of cocaine was seized.
The James’ crew was lauded for its ability to spot a target on the high seas, without the use of radar or aerial assets.
“Our crew’s exceptional efforts disrupted illicit drug trafficking, deprived transnational criminal organizations of millions of dollars in revenue, apprehended suspected traffickers, strengthened a key partnership, and helped save lives by preventing drugs from reaching the streets,” said the James’ Captain, Capt. Donald Terkanian.
Illicit Finance
HSI Chicago Financial Crimes Task Force (FCTF) Group was awarded the Illicit Finance Award for starting Operation Banco Sucio, an investigation “designed to identify, disrupt, and dismantle complicit international money brokers and domestic operatives of a transnational criminal organization by conducting undercover money pickups of illicit funds.”
Banco Sucio led to the seizure of $6.6 million in illicit funds, nearly 800 kilograms of illicit substances, and one plane. It’s also led to 29 indictments.
Emerging Threats
The CBP- Land Border Integration Divisions Conveyance Monitoring and Predictivity Recognition System (CMPRS) Team received the Emerging Threats Award. The team was honored for using an intelligence targeting tool that was mounted at various locations, and can identify license plates, vessel numbers, and aircraft tail numbers.
The use of the tool resulted in the seizure of over $146 million in drugs, currency, firearms, and ammunition in 2023.
Domestic Investigations
The Indiana HIDTA- FBI Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) was honored with the Domestic Investigations Award for its work in a case that involved two individuals with a suspected fentanyl overdose.
The case was found to involve a regional drug trafficking organization (DTO) that was linked to a high priority target in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The DTO was dismantled and a dangerous supplier of fentanyl to Indiana communities was removed.
Cyber Investigations
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office, Hi-Tech Organized Crime Squad was awarded the Cyber Investigations Award for its work in targeting drug vendors on the dark web who were selling opioids for cryptocurrency. Six people were arrested, and 500 pounds of narcotics were seized.
The task force later coordinated with FBI headquarters to launch a nationwide initiative.
International Investigations
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Counternarcotic Cyber Investigations Task Force (CCITF) was honored for its work in targeting China-based chemical companies who play a key role in the fentanyl supply chain.
CCITF is credited with “significantly” disrupting the inflow of precursor chemicals. It also led to the largest-ever single Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) financial sanctions, the indictment of three China-based chemical manufacturers, and four Chinese nationals.
Special Recognition
The DEA Phoenix Field Division’s Tucson District Office (TDO) was given special recognition for seizing over one million fentanyl pills and over 26 pounds of fentanyl powder. The group also conducted 45 drug and drug conspiracy investigations.