NCJ Number
89176
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article reviews coordinated police strategies for combatting organized international trafficking in illicit drugs and law enforcement tactics for dealing with the drug trade in local communities.
Abstract
The two-pronged direction of antidrug strategies must aim for incapacitating the supply organizations as well as for suppressing the consumption demand. Between these polarities, the petty drug smugglers and peddlers must also be targeted. Local drug operations should be infiltrated by undercover agents who can be easily reassigned among jurisdictions to maintain their cover. Since the supplies originate outside Europe, action against foreign drug rings must be handled at the international level by Federal manpower. Bilateral workgroups should work with the governments of both supply and transit countries for assisting the former in developing agricultural alternatives and for supporting police work of the latter. Ongoing multilateral interchange must be maintained among countries regarding intelligence on drug smuggling operations as well as the latest technical advances and policing approaches. Among the tactics to be employed against the local trade are the development of a reliable and protected informant network, capable undercover agents for evidence gathering, systematic suspect and transport tracking across national borders, electronic surveillance, border controls, and sting operations. Footnotes are given.