Evaluation of Illinois' Cash Transaction Reporting Units and Drug Conspiracy Task Forces

• NCJ Number: 176910
• Author(s): E L Cowles; L A Gransky; M Patterson; P Hagner
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 279 pages
• Grant Number(s): 95-DB-VX-0017
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA); Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
• Corporate Author: University of Illinois at Springfield
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of Illinois' two-pronged drug law enforcement effort: the Cash Transaction Reporting Unit (CTRU) and the Drug Conspiracy Task Force (DCTF).

Abstract

Federal funds combined with State general revenue matching funds permitted the Illinois Attorney General's (IAG's) Office and the Illinois State Police (ISP) to launch four interrelated efforts in two enforcement arenas. The first, the CTRU, was designed to collect, store, and analyze cash-transaction data for the subsequent identification, investigation, and prosecution of individuals involved in drug-trafficking money laundering. Separate CTRUs were established in the IAG Office and the ISP. The second prong of the enforcement effort was the development of the DCTF in the two agencies. The purpose of the DCTF was to enhance the prosecution of mid-level narcotic traffickers operating on at least a multi-county level in the State. Similar to the CTRU, individuals from both the ISP and IAG offices were assigned to the DCTF function. These efforts were begun in 1992 and early 1993. An implementation and impact evaluation of the DCTF and CTR units was conducted in 1996. Data were obtained from program documentation records, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals involved in the operation of one or more of the programs. A number of site visits were also conducted with each of the four units to collect case-level data and confer with unit administrators regarding unit operations and issues related to data interpretation. Person and telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of individuals in other agencies who had been users of the services provided by the ISP- CTR unit. Based on evaluation findings, the study recommends that three of the units (ISP-DCTF, IAG-DCTF, and ISP-CTRU) should maintain a clear focus on higher level drug conspiracies, particularly regarding case identification and development. Another recommendation is that units reassess their operation on three process dimensions: communication, roles, and internal/external relationships. Further, information management needs to be examined in terms of data collection/retention, quality, and accessibility. Finally, The IAG and ISP should explore mechanisms to enhance the integration of the operations of the CTRU/DCTF units. 18 tables, 19 figures, 34 references, and appended evaluation instruments and data