Terrorism & Its Links to Drug Trafficking

The folks over at the Multijurisdictional Couterdrug Task Force Training Center are currently offering a webcast dealing with the ties between drug trafficking and terrorism. This webcast has some pretty insigtful information that pertains to our career field and dual narcotics/force protection mission.  Head over here to check out the webcast. Check out the details of the webcast below:

The link between drugs and potential terrorism is not a new phenomenon, and while the United States has made significant progress over the last several years to reduce the demand for and availability of illegal drugs, challenges remain both at home and abroad.

Not only is the rapid increase of illegal drugs perceived as a danger, but the proceeds from the sale of drugs provides a ready source for funding other criminal activities, including terrorism. Whether a group is committing terrorist acts, trafficking drugs or laundering money, they are all forms of organized crime.

Governments across the globe have noted that drug piracy has become a standard part of organized international crime. They find themselves faced with classic terrorist groups that participate in, or otherwise receive funds from, drug trafficking to further their agenda. Heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine are not the only drugs targeted.

Terrorism & Its Connections to Drug Trafficking is an hour-long broadcast that focuses on officer safety as well as understanding terrorism and the importance of communication between law enforcement agencies. Domestically, State, local, and tribal law enforcement cooperation are supported by Federal initiatives such as the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) programs. These efforts are supplemented by the work of the DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) programs, as well as by the work of Federal Agents operating out of DEA and ICE field offices across the Nation.

Learning objectives:

• Understand what terrorism is
• See how the drug trade facilitates the activities of terrorists and organized criminals worldwide
• Learn how officers remain safe using basic fundamental policing skills
• Know how vital communication is between all levels of law enforcement and it can be improved
• Learn what pre-incident indicators are how to identify them
• Learn about weapons-for-drugs exchanges and who this profitable business attracts
• Understand the aspect of this “entrepreneurial”style of crime and the intricate manner in which drugs and terrorism may be intermingled
• See how petty crimes can lead to large scale criminal activities
• Find out where narcotics are entering the United States from and what latest trends are used
• See how communities can help law enforcement