Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), headed by Assistant Secretary David T. Johnson, advises the President, Secretary of State, other bureaus in the Department of State, and other departments and agencies within the U.S. Government on the development of policies and programs to combat international narcotics and crime. INL programs support two of the Department's strategic goals: (1) to reduce the entry of illegal drugs into the United States; and (2) to minimize the impact of international crime on the United States and its citizens. Counternarcotics and anticrime programs also complement the war on terrorism, both directly and indirectly, by promoting modernization of and supporting operations by foreign criminal justice systems and law enforcement agencies charged with the counter-terrorism mission.
Major INL Publications
- International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)
- Narcotics Certification Process
- Program and Budget Guide
Hot Topics
Dominican Republic Seizure
In a well-coordinated operation, on August 5 and 6, the Dominican Republic successfully interdicted 518 kilos of cocaine and made four arrests. An aircraft flying out of Venezuela made a drop 3 miles off the shore north of Semana. A Customs and Border Protection Blackhawk helicopter out of Puerto Rico assisted the DEA-vetted Dominican National Directorate for the Control of Drugs Tactical Response Team and the Dominican Navy to intercept the shipment. INL had provided training and equipment to these units, including the Dominican Navy patrol boats. INL is planning increased support which will further enhance the Dominican Republic's ability to conduct coastal surveillance and utilize its own air assets in end game operations.
Peru: Capture of "El Mono" Weakens Sendero Luminoso
Felix Victorino Mejia Ascencio (aka "el Mono" – "the Monkey") was captured near Tingo Maria, Peru on August 10th by INL-trained and equipped Peruvian counternarcotics forces. According to press reports, Ascencio may be third in command of Sendero Luminoso in the Huallaga valley, running their logistics operations. The capture of "El Mono" strikes a blow to Sendero; specifically to the organization’s drug trafficking operations in the Huallaga Valley – the heart of U.S. Government/Peruvian eradication efforts. INL funding provides operational support such as vehicles, radios, field gear for interdiction deployments, security for eradication operations, as well as training and field exercises.
Newsletter: The INL Beat, Summer 2009
In This Issue:
Full Text
INL Helps Lead Interagency Investigator Training Surge for Mexican Federal Police
State Magazine Features the Public-Private Partnership
Launched in December 2007, the Department’s Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan is an innovative initiative of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, which leads U.S. justice-sector reform efforts in Afghanistan...The partnership is a nonpartisan initiative that seeks to involve American judges, lawyers and representatives of business and academia in U.S. efforts to develop the rule of law in Afghanistan. Full Text
The U.S. Department of State announced the designation of ten new Mexico-based targets of its Narcotics Rewards Program. Full Text
Target of the Month: Luis Albeiro Pena-Pena
Also Known As: “B Supervisor,” “B hijodel Zapatero,” “B Senor de lasTunas,” “B Mono de Antioquia”
Luis Pena-Pena is the head of a well-organized money laundering and drug trafficking organization based in Colombia with different cells throughout the Lesser Antilles and the Caribbean. Learn More | Find Others
Foreign Policy Address at the Council on Foreign Relations
Secretary Clinton (July 15): "And we have been straightforward about our own measure of responsibility for problems like drug trafficking in Mexico and global climate change. When I acknowledged the obvious about our role in Mexico’s current conflict with narco-traffickers, some were critical. But they’re missing the point. Our capacity to take responsibility, and our willingness to change, to do the right thing, are themselves hallmarks of our greatness as a nation and strategic assets that can help us forge coalitions in the service of our interests." Full Text
U.S. Delivers Police Vehicles to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces
This delivery is part of a larger Department of State initiative to assist legitimate, professional law enforcement institutions in Lebanon. Full Text
Merida Initiative: Agreement With Dominican Republic
The U.S. and the Dominican Republic signed the first letter of agreement implementing the Merida Initiative, a multi-year regional effort to combat organized crime, gangs and the trafficking of narcotics and firearms. More
Fact Sheets: The Merida Initiative
The multi-year initiative complements broader efforts by Mexico, the Central American nations, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic to fight criminal organizations and drug trafficking. Full Text | Myths Vs. Facts
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