|
MISSION STATEMENT
The Northwest HIDTA mission is to measurably reduce large-scale importation
and local drug trafficking by intercepting shipments, to disrupt local
manufacturing and trafficking operations, and to reduce demand by supporting
treatment and effective demand reduction programs. The Northwest HIDTA
focuses on high value drug trafficking targets and financial.
The goals of the Northwest HIDTA are to:
|
Location in Seattle |
|
 |
|
Investigative Support Unit |
THE NORTHWEST HIDTA:
In January 1997, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
designated a seven county area in Washington State as a High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area (HIDTA). In 2002, the Northwest HIDTA expanded to 14
counties, which encompasses Benton, Clark,
 Cowlitz,
Franklin, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston,
Whatcom, and Yakima. These counties are the region's main drug trafficking
gate-way, facilitating five different importation routes. These routes are
(1) SeaTac Airport; (2) large scale container traffic through the Ports of
Seattle and Tacoma; (3) I-5 corridor traffic coming north from the
U.S.-Mexican border; (4) the Yakima Valley (Highway 97), the predominant
corridor to Eastern Washington; and (5) cross-border traffic to and from
Canada in Whatcom County. The North-west HIDTA’s two greatest drug threats
are methamphetamine and marijuana. Although clan-destine methamphetamine lab
activity has significantly decreased, methamphetamine use remains prevalent.
The decrease in local production is off-set by increased production in
Mexico by Mexican poly-drug trafficking organizations. Marijuana is the most
readily available and widely abused drug in Washington State.
PREVENTION INITIATIVES:
Four Northwest HIDTA initiatives address the demand
reduction elements of the mission and goals. The Drug Court Development initiative
supports enhancements to each of the programs operated in HIDTA counties. The Community
Coalition Support initiative entails a regional substance abuse prevention strategy,
implemented by innovative projects in each HIDTA County. The Public Education/Awareness
initiative includes the “M-Files” website, the “Say It Straight”
training curriculum and print/video materials about marijuana and methamphetamine. The
MIS/Evaluation initiative is comprised of outcome studies of the HIDTA-region Drug Court
programs and prevention projects, and the development of a regional case management
information system network.
INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT UNIT:
The ISU’s two primary elements are the Watch Center
and Analytical Unit. The Analytical Unit provides both tactical and strategic intelligence
services. The strategic responsibilities of this group include providing regional threat
assessments on an annual basis. Analytical Unit members may work closely with
investigators as a criminal case develops or with attorney’s in preparation for
trial. This HIDTA service is designed to enhance the investigative process by applying
proven intelligence analysis techniques. The Watch center offers two very important and
highly valued services for drug investigators; deconfliction and Intelligence Research.
Deconfliction plots drug arrests, sales, money pickup, raids, and surveillance and places
them onto a computerized map. If another agency is working on the same subject, in very
close proximity or if the agencies are targeting each other, the computer alerts the
operator. Each agency involved is then told that a conflict may exist and is asked to
contact the agency in conflict. The Watch Center’s analysts have the ability to
supply investigators with drug intelligence information from the Federal, State, and Local
agencies. The Watch Center uses the Western States Information Network (WSIN) as its
primary database. All Watch Center employees are cross designated as WSIN analysts and
have computer access to WSIN and the Regional Information Sharing System (RISS).
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT PROGRAM:
The Investigative Support Unit has a surveillance equipment
loan program. It includes night vision equipment, tracking devices, audio and video
recording equipment. The HIDTA’s electronics technician provides assistance to
investigators by installing telephone intercept devices such as trap and trace; pen
registers and dialed number recorders. The HIDTA also provides investigators with the
ability to intercept criminal activity involving digital pagers. This loaned equipment
program is similar to WSIN’s in many respects. The HIDTA’s Electronic Technician
trains investigators on how to use each piece of evidence gathering electronics.
INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT UNIT:
The strategic
responsibilities of the ISC also include providing an annual regional drug
threat assessment and other special studies, as needed.
RELATED LINKS:
|
