Statement of Charles W Blau Before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control Concerning International Compliance With Multilateral and Bilateral Narcotics Control Treaties and Agreements on June 24, 1986

• NCJ Number: 102225
• Author(s): C W Blau
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 22 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Presentation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This statement describes the international work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), international narcotics treaties, multilateral and bilateral narcotics control agreements, and other international drug law enforcement cooperation.

Abstract

DEA's key international objectives are to gain the support of other nations for narcotics control and to strengthen narcotics control efforts and capabilities within foreign governments. The United States has negotiated mutual legal assistance treaties (MLAT's) with other countries to facilitate the exchange of information and evidence in narcotics and other criminal prosecutions. Currently, the United States has MLAT's with Switzerland, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Italy. An executive agreement with the Cayman Islands gives the United States access to bank records in the investigation of drug cases. The United States presently has extradition treaties with 103 countries, including several narcotics source countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Turkey. The negotiation of multilateral conventions and attendance at multilateral conferences and meetings are important in obtaining useful legal tools to combat drug trafficking and promote increased awareness of the problem in other countries. Important efforts in this regard include the International Drug Enforcement Conference, the Organization of American States Conference, the Franco/American/Canadian/Italian Conference, the Italian-American Working Group on Organized Crime and Narcotics Trafficking, and the 1987 World Conference on Drug Abuse.