Drug trafficking

Arizona lawmaker calls drug trafficking organizations a threat to the United States

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today called for an increased federal focus on strengthening security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Speaking at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, the Arizona lawmaker noted that the U.S. Department of Justice considers Mexican drug traffickers the “greatest organized crime threat” to the United States.

“I remain very concerned about stemming the flow of fugitives, drugs and guns across our southern border,” Giffords told committee members.    » read more »

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today introduced legislation to reauthorize funding for the Public and Indian Housing Crime and Drug Elimination Program (PIHDEP). The bill will help fund public and Indian housing entities to battle crime and drug use in partnership with their local law enforcement.

“This effective program eliminated by the previous Administration left public and Indian housing without important resources,” said Johnson. “This bill would allow local communities to develop programs to better fight drug use and drug-related crime. I’m proud to introduce this bill and will continue to fight to provide critical funding for public and Indian housing in South Dakota and across the country.”    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, praised an agreement signed today that would give more counternarcotics authority to immigration agents to help reduce illegal drugs entering American communities.

In response to the signing of this Interagency Cooperation Agreement that increases cooperation and information sharing between the Department of Health And Human Services’ Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) and the Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Sen. Carper said:    » read more »

Bayh Measure to Thwart Production of Methamphetamine Passes Senate; Measure will help keep ingredients out of the hands of illicit drug manufacturers

June 10, 2009 -- Washington -- Tough new anti-drug legislation championed by Senator Evan Bayh to reduce methamphetamine production and abuse passed the United States Senate yesterday. The Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act of 2009 strengthens enforcement laws to reduce the production and distribution of this dangerous drug.    » read more »

Bill would enforce retail compliance with the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act

June 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate has approved legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) that would require retailers of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products to verify that they have trained their staff in the requirements of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act that went into effect in 2006.

The next step in the fight against methamphetamine is to pass the Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act – a bill pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Grassley is a co-sponsor of the legislation.    » read more »

Schumer Announces Senate Passage Of Legislation To Combat Methamphetamine Production; Bill Will Tighten 2006 Law Which Required Sellers of Drug to Be Trained and Certified

June 9, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the United State Senate has passed the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act of 2009, a bill that he backed to enhance the ability of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to crack down on methamphetamine production.    » read more »

Bill would enforce retail compliance with the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act

June 9, 2009 --
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate has approved legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) that would require retailers of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products to verify that they have trained their staff in the requirements of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act that went into effect in 2006.

The next step in the fight against methamphetamine is to pass the Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act – a bill pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Grassley is a co-sponsor of the legislation.    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today continued his efforts to keep meth off the streets and out of the homes of Iowans. Legislation he co-sponsored with Senator Dianne Feinstein to help control meth precursor chemicals, passed the Senate tonight by unanimous consent. It will now be sent to the House for consideration.

“Iowa has been hit harder than most states by the meth epidemic. Passage of the Combat Meth Act in 2006 provided us with a good deal of success in reducing the domestic meth supply, but it’s tough to stay a step ahead. So, we’re looking to do more to get this dangerous drug out of the hands of people across the country,” Grassley said.    » read more »

June 5, 2009 -- Today, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, and Director of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske released President Obama’s strategy to stem the flow of illegal drugs and their illicit proceeds across the Southwest border and reduce associated crime and violence in the region.    » read more »

June 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today applauded the Obama Administration’s unveiling of an extensive strategy to combat drug smuggling, arms trading, and currency trafficking along the U.S.-Mexican border.    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- The United States should forge a strategic partnership with Mexico that emphasizes reform and long-term institution building as a way to battle the ongoing drug war and other security challenges that face Mexico, according to a new RAND Corporation report.

While much attention has focused on addressing Mexico's recent drug violence, the new RAND report goes beyond the narcotics-violence link and examines a broader set of issues that confront Mexico's security and the security interests of the United States.    » read more »

April 15, 2009 -- The Administration has released the names of three Mexican organizations against which the President has decided to impose sanctions pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (the "Kingpin Act") (21 U.S.C. 1901-1908, 8 U.S.C. 1182). Kingpin Act targets, on a worldwide basis, significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their organizations, and operatives.

Background    » read more »

March 24, 2009 -- Today, Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg and United States Deputy Attorney General David Ogden will lay out the Administration’s comprehensive response to the situation along the border with Mexico. President Obama and his Administration are focused on all aspects of the U.S. relationship with Mexico because it is vital to core U.S. national interests.    » read more »

March 24, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today several Southwest border initiatives designed to crack down on Mexican drug cartels through enhanced border security. The plan calls for additional personnel, increased intelligence capability and better coordination with state, local and Mexican law enforcement authorities.

“This issue requires immediate action,” said Secretary Napolitano. “We are guided by two very clear objectives. First, we are going to do everything we can to prevent the violence in Mexico from spilling over across the border. And second, we will do all in our power to help President Calderón crack down on these drug cartels in Mexico.”    » read more »

March 24, 2009 -- Mr. Gibbs: Good morning, guys. I want to discuss an issue that's very important to the President this morning -- the steps we are taking on both sides of the border, working with our Mexican partners to support the Mexican government's campaign against the violent cartels and to reduce contraband in both directions across the border.    » read more »