NCJ Number
115533
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 61 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1988) Pages: 295-303
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes the history, functions organizational structure, philosophy, effectiveness, and future development of the British National Drugs Intelligence Unit (NDIU).
Abstract
The NDIU was established on November 1, 1985, to gather, collate, analyze, and disseminate drugs intelligence, whether emanating from the United Kingdom or abroad. It provides the essential link between the two drug enforcement agencies of the police and customs. There are 82 personnel attached to the NDIU consisting of 41 police officers, 13 customs officers, and 28 civilians. The two divisions of NDIU are (i) operations and (ii) support and development. Although the divisions are separate, there are many overlapping functions. Each division is linked by computer terminal to the NDIU database. Intelligence information is recorded in manuscript on an intelligence log. Each piece of information is evaluated by the collector/receiver of the information regarding its source and the weight placed on the information. The overall assessment is shown by a code which is inserted against each item of information. More time will be required for an accurate assessment of NDIU's success, but few of the recent major operational successes in drug enforcement were achieved without the assistance, facilities, or coordinating functions of NDIU. The most pressing need for NDIU is a new computer system.