THREAT
There are five designated High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) in the United States as depicted below:
Designated High Density Drug Trafficking Areas
These HIDTA have been designated to identify areas experiencing the most serious drug trafficking problems in the nation, and to determine the most pressing need for federal intervention. While many cities are experiencing substantial drug problems, it is the drug trafficking activities of organizations focused in New York, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and along southwest border which create many of these problems. The southwest border is the principal corridor for moving drugs. Over 50% of illegal drugs entering the US crosses the international boundary extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast. Drugs are smuggled via land, and air corridors, through and between the ports of entry.
Not only is Mexico a supplier of drugs, it is also a transit country from other countries. There are 150-200 Mexican based groups involved in smuggling drugs armed with modern sophisticated weapons and equipment. Limited resources preclude total surveillance along the 2,000 mile border. Smugglers often are willing to wait and see if our drug interdiction efforts along the border are effective before they attempt to penetrate them, or avoid them altogether.
Table
of Contents
Rules
of Engagement (ROE)
Counterdrug
Lessons
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