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Updated on April 08, 2009


 

The mission of NDIC is to provide strategic drug-related intelligence, document and computer exploitation support, and training assistance to

the drug control, public health, law enforcement, and intelligence communities of the United States

in order to reduce the adverse effects of drug trafficking, drug abuse, and other drug-related criminal activity.

TTY users please call (814) 532-5815.

 

NDIC Highlights January-December

Office of the Director
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901-1622
(814) 532-4601
Fax: (814) 532-4690

 

 

Printable copy (72 KB)


The following is a summary of NDIC Highlights for January 2008-December 2008.


2009 National Drug Threat Assessment cited by Director of the office of National Drug Control Policy

On December 11, 2008, the President and the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) held a press conference regarding "Recession in Illegal Drug Market Signaled by Falling Youth Use, With Higher Prices and Decreased Purity for Cocaine Nationwide." During the press conference, the National Drug Intelligence Center's 2009 National Drug Threat Assessment was cited. Specifically, the press release from the Executive Office of the President stated in part, "As reported in the 2009 National Drug Threat Assessment of the National Drug Intelligence Center, 'counterdrug agencies have made measurable progress against cocaine production, transportation, and distribution, contributing to a reduction in cocaine availability in the United States.'"

NDIC nominated for IALEIA award

On December 9, 2008, the Executive Office of the President - Office of National Drug Control Policy wrote to the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts nominating NDIC for an award as a result of our Indian Country Drug Threat Assessment of 2008. In the letter, NDIC’s report was cited as "…the best and most comprehensive Indian Country Threat Assessment that has been produced to date."

United States Attorney, Middle District of Georgia that cited NDIC's assistance as "instrumental" in the three year investigation

NDIC Director Michael Walther received a letter dated December 5, 2008, from the United States Attorney, Middle District of Georgia, that cited NDIC's assistance as "instrumental" in the 3-year investigation of a doctor charged with "running a 'pill mill' operation, wherein multiple people lost their lives. The (NDIC) analysts took the seemingly insurmountable amount of evidence (4,000 patient computer and physical charts) and assembled the information in a way that proved the premise of our case. NDIC is an invaluable tool that I have recommended to multiple districts with similar cases ranging from individual doctor prosecutions to internet pharmacies. I can not imagine preparing for one of these type cases without the assistance of the analysts from NDIC."

NDIC's assistance was essential in the prosecution of DEA Miami Field Division case

On November 3, 2008, the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division released a teletype reporting on the conviction of Robert L. Ignasiak, M.D. NDIC's support is specifically acknowledged in this teletype: "NDIC's assistance was essential in the prosecution of this case. . . ."

NDIC Deputy Director presented with the Attorney General 's Award for Excellence in Management

On October 28, 2008, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey presented NDIC Deputy Director Irene Hernandez with the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management. This award recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements that have significantly improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs.

ONDCP Praises NDIC Publications and Document Exploitation

In an October 3, 2008, letter from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, it stated, "NDIC is doing an excellent job of producing a large number of products that serve a variety of customers within ONDCP."

NDIC received a letter from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, praising NDIC's Document and Media Exploitation. Specifically: "The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) has been a pioneer in the realm of Document and Media Exploration (DOMEX), developing unique, robust capabilities such as the Digital Evidence Laboratory and the Real-time Analytical Intelligence Database." (10/2/08)

NDIC Publication was Cited to Support Senator's Bill

On October 1, 2008, an NDIC publication was cited to support a bill introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), "Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008" (S3666). Specifically, the bill references the National Drug Intelligence Center's 2008 Threat Assessment report on the growing threat of methamphetamine use. The Director of the Department of Defense's Counter Narcotics Analysis Cell (CNAC) wrote, "I would also like to convey my appreciation for the contributions that the National Drug Intelligence Center has made to the Counternarcotics Analysis Cell and to request continued support. . ." and "Only NDIC analysts provide this support to the project." (8/12/08)

CNAC Recognizes NDIC Contributions

A Resident Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration expressed appreciation for the "invaluable assistance" and "excellent work" provided by NDIC. (7/08/08)

Additional Accolades

The Director of the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area commended NDIC for producing an "excellent" report: "On behalf of the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NCHIDTA), I would like to thank you and your staff for the production of an excellent Northern California HIDTA Drug Market Analysis for Calendar Year 2007." (6/23/08)

The Executive Director of the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area wrote, "I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to your staff for providing professional, accurate and timely reports on the current situation with gangs and drugs in the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. These objective and factual reports are critical in assisting decision makers in developing drug and gang strategies. . . ." (5/6/08)

NDIC was chosen to prepare the Attorney General's Report to Congress on the Growth of Violent Street Gangs in Suburban Areas. The Department of Justice reported, "The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) is gratefully acknowledged for developing the substance of this report. NDIC supports national-level policymakers and the Intelligence Community by preparing strategic analytical studies on the trafficking of illegal drugs and on related illegal activities that pose a threat to the national security of the United States." (April 2008)

The Arizona Attorney General's Office commended NDIC for major contributions to the public good. (1/29/08)

At the request of Congressman Rick Larsen, NDIC presented a briefing to the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine on the findings contained in NDIC's 2008 National Methamphetamine Threat Assessment. (1/28/08)

The Director of the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center commended NDIC for providing "outstanding support": "I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for the outstanding support NDIC has provided to the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center (SD-LECC)." (1/23/08)

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy featured two NDIC reports (2007 National Methamphetamine Threat Assessment and Methamphetamine-Related Identity Theft) on their home page. (1/22/08)

NDIC was presented with the National Marijuana Eradication Award by the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. (1/17/08)

 


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