Homeland Security

07 November 2005

U.S., Russia Increase Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking

Agreement seeks to improve coordination between countries' drug-control agencies

The chiefs of the American and Russian drug-control agencies signed a memorandum of mutual understanding (MMU) November 2 aimed at enhancing cooperation against illegal drug trafficking worldwide.

The MMU “provides a formal basis for enhanced coordination between our two agencies, as we seek to assist the Russian Federal Drug Control Service [FSKN] towards our common goal of identifying and dismantling international drug trafficking organizations,” said Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrator Karen Tandy. 

Tandy joined FSKN Director Viktor Cherkesov in signing the agreement at DEA headquarters near Washington.

Following is the DEA announcement:

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
November 2, 2005

DEA, Russian Officials Sign Historic Memorandum
Pledge International Support to Combat Illegal Drug Trafficking

Arlington, Virginia – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Karen P. Tandy and the Russian Federation Director of the Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN), Viktor V. Cherkesov, today signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding (MMU) at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, to express cooperation in combating illegal worldwide drug trafficking.

This agreement between the United States (U.S.) and the Russian Federation recognizes the need for international cooperation in combating illegal drugs and their precursor chemicals. These cooperative efforts include intelligence sharing, training, and assistance in disrupting and dismantling large criminal organizations that affect the drug trade in both the U.S. and Russia.

“There are nearly 5,000 miles and eight time zones between DEA and FSKN Headquarters, but in both our countries, we feel and fight the same ravages of drug abuse,” DEA Administrator Tandy said. “In the global fight against drugs, the challenges we see in the U.S. are often identical to those faced in Russia. This Memorandum of Mutual Understanding provides a formal basis for enhanced coordination between our two agencies, as we seek to assist the Russian Federal Drug Control Service towards our common goal of identifying and dismantling international drug trafficking organizations.”

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)