NCJ Number
37156
Date Published
1975
Length
95 pages
Annotation
THIS GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) STUDY ADDRESSES THE PROBLEMS OF ORGANIZATIONAL FRAGMENTATION AND RESULTANT INTERAGENCY CONFLICTS IN FEDERAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.
Abstract
THE REVIEW WAS DIRECTED PRIMARILY TOWARD AN ANALYSIS OF THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (DEA) AND ITS PREDECESSOR AGENCIES. THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE US CUSTOMS SERVICE, THE FBI, AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION WERE ALSO EXAMINED. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH REVIEW OF POLICIES, PROCEDURES, CORRESPONDENCE, AND DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO EACH AGENCY'S APPROACH TO DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTERAGENCY INFORMATION EXCHANGE. SELECTED DEA CASE FILES WERE EXAMINED; AND STATISTICS REGARDING DRUG SEIZURES, ARRESTS, AND CONVICTIONS WERE COMPILED AND ANALYZED. ONSITE VISITS TO REGIONAL AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF CUSTOMS, DEA, AND THE FBI WERE CONDUCTED AS WELL AS VISITS TO US ATTORNEYS' OFFICES IN NEW YORK, SEATTLE, SAN DIEGO, AND LOS ANGELES. RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING INTELLIGENCE COORDINATION AND COOPERATION BETWEEN CUSTOMS AND DEA, THE ROLE OF THE FBI IN FEDERAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION ARE MADE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.