White House Drug Policy Acting Director Announces 2014 Caribbean Counternarcotics Strategy

Washington, D.C. – Today, Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, announced the Obama Administration’s 2014 Caribbean Border Counter-Narcotics Strategy to reduce the threats posed to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, and associated violence. The documented cocaine flow through the Caribbean to the United States has more than doubled in the past three years to its highest level since 2008.

“The 2014 Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy will help reduce the flow of drugs into the United States and its territories while protecting communities in the region from drug-related crime and violence,” said Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy. “This is a critical part of our national drug control strategy which promotes a balanced approach to public safety and public health.”

The Strategy comprises the following objectives:

1. Enhance intelligence and information-sharing capabilities and processes associated with the Caribbean border.
2. Interdict illicit drugs and drug proceeds at and between U.S. ports of entry in the Caribbean.
3. Interdict illicit drugs and illicit drug proceeds in the air and maritime domains in and around the Caribbean border; maximize evidence and intelligence collection to support criminal investigations leading to associated and higher echelon networks.
4. Disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations operating in and around the Caribbean border.
5. Substantially reduce the level of drug -related violent crime in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
6. Strengthen communities and reduce the demand for drugs.

In response to elevated drug trafficking and related crime, federal law enforcement agencies have increased their efforts in the region.  The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security have devoted resources to address drug-related violent crime on the islands, and coordinated with federal and local partners to confront this ongoing threat to public safety. By building upon existing architecture, identifying needed resources, and enlisting state and local law enforcement in a genuine partnership, this Caribbean Strategy will enable the Nation to address the threat in a comprehensive manner.

For more information about the Office of National Drug Control Policy, visit: www.whitehouse.gov/ONDCP

The Office of National Drug Control Policy seeks to foster healthy individuals and safe communities by effectively leading the Nation’s effort to reduce drug use and its consequences.

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