U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997

United States Department of State

Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

International Training

International anti-narcotics training is managed and funded by INL, and carried out by the DEA, U.S. Customs Service, and U.S. Coast Guard. Major objectives are: contributing to the basic infrastructure for carrying out counternarcotics law enforcement activities in countries which cooperate with the U.S.; improving technical skills of drug law enforcement personnel in these countries; and increasing cooperation between U.S. and foreign law enforcement officials. Over 6,700 persons participated in the U.S. Government's international narcotics control training program in FY 1996, an increase of approximately one-third from FY 1995. Included in this total were individuals trained by DEA using funding from the Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Fund.

INL training has become increasingly focused on encouraging foreign law enforcement agency self-sufficiency through infrastructure development. The effectiveness of our counternarcotics efforts overseas should be viewed in terms of what has been done to bring about the establishment of effective host country enforcement institutions, thereby taking drugs out of circulation before they begin their journey toward the U.S. U.S. law enforcement personnel stationed overseas are increasingly coming to see their prime responsibility as promoting the creation of host government systems which are compatible with and serve the same broad goals as ours.

During FY 1996, law enforcement training devoted increased attention to the development and support of infrastructure building in those countries which posed the greatest threat to the U.S. as a result of their role as source or transit countries for narcotics destined for the U.S. INL received positive feedback both from U.S. Embassies and foreign governments on the continuing benefits gained from this training.

INL-funded training will continue to support the major U.S. and international strategies for combatting narcotics trafficking worldwide. Emphasis will be given to promoting training on a regional basis, and to contributing to the activities of international organizations, such as the UNDCP and the OAS. Through the meetings of major donors, the Dublin Group, UNDCP and other international fora, we will coordinate with other providers of training, and urge them to shoulder greater responsibility in providing training which serves their particular strategic interests.

Programs dealing with financial crimes (i.e., methods for promoting asset seizure and combatting money laundering) will continue to expand. INL will maintain its role of coordinating the activities of U.S. law enforcement agencies in response to assistance requests from U.S. Embassies. This will avoid duplication of effort, and ensure that presentations represent the full range of U.S. Government policies and procedures.

TRAINING STATISTICS

                                   Number of     Number of
                                   Participants   Programs

Drug Enforcement Administration

Training in U.S.:
 Executive Observation Program             10    10
 Special Observation Program               85   376
 International Visitors Program           985   746
 Forensic Chemist Seminar                  42     2
 Int'l Narcotics Enf. Mgt. Seminar         47     2

Training in Host Countries:
 In-Country Drug Enforcement Seminar      292    16
 Advanced Drug Enforcement Seminar        366     8
 Int'l Asset Forfeiture Seminar           175     4
 Airport Operations                        43     2
 Methods of Instruction                    20     1
 (ILEA) Int'l Law Enf. Academy            350     5
 Other                                    765    15

Subtotal                                3,180 1,187

U.S. Customs Service

Training in U.S.:
 Executive Observation Program              8     4
 International Visitor Program            519   135
 Carrier Initiative Program                37     1

Training in Host Countries:
 Overseas Enforcement Training            567    19
 Contraband Enforcement Team              145     4
 Train-the-Trainer Workshop                99     8
 Money Laundering Seminar                 527     4
 Carrier Initiative Program               822     5

Subtotal                                2,724   180

U.S. Coast Guard

Training in Host Countries:
 Maritime Law Enforcement                 749    29
 Port Security and Safety Course           86     3

Subtotal                                  835    32


TOTAL INL TRAINING FY 96                6,739 1,399