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Message from the Director Dave Rodriguez |
January '99 |
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Northwest HIDTA, in conjunction with NICI, US
Customs, National Guard, Coast Guard and INS recently hosted a congressional staff
delegation visit. The purpose of the visit was to examine the threat posed by increased
usage and importation of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana along the
U.S./Canadian border and the densely populated Western Washington area. The participants received a briefing from the HIDTA staff and the
Snohomish Regional Narcotics Task Force. They also viewed a Tacoma drug court in session
and a prevention program sponsored by the National Guard, at Camp Murray, that
incorporated hands on team building techniques. The following day the group was flown to
Blaine Washington and received an excellent presentation by US Customs, US Border Patrol
and the RCMP. They were also able to observe port of entry activities as well as
operations between ports of entry. This was followed by an orientation by the US Coast
Guard aboard their vessel, USS Cuttyhunk. It was a great two days and the feedback I have
received from NICI was laudatory in all respects. Thank you to all that participated. |