NCJ Number
177359
Date Published
1998
Length
63 pages
Annotation
This report evaluates the effectiveness of drug law enforcement activities conducted by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
Abstract
The activities are broadly divided into three types: (1) geographically focused crackdowns on retail drug dealing in specific neighborhoods; (2) investigations of drug traffickers and trafficker groups; and (3) support activities facilitating information exchange. Two geographically based projects in Prince George's County are described, along with the COMETS system of strategic intelligence gathering. The COMETS system refers to information collection about communications, organization, movement, environment, transactions, and security. Assistance received by HIDTA initiatives from other law enforcement groups and assistance provided to other law enforcement groups by HIDTA initiatives are noted. The potential of geographically targeted drug law enforcement activities is assessed, and supplemental information on the performance of HIDTA initiatives is provided in nine appendixes. Tables and figures