• All Department of Defense (DoD) counterdrug activities are fully dedicated to this function and are scored as 100% drug-related.

• DoD administers programs that support domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies that have counterdrug responsibilities. The Department's drug control programs are summarized below relative to each of the National Drug Control Strategy Goals. 

• The National Guard State Plans demand reduction outreach programs provide various types of Community Based Activities in which the National Guard assists community groups to provide drug prevention information and education primarily to youth. In addition, numerous military installations have volunteer programs that use DoD personnel as role models to provide a positive reference to our youth. 

• DoD active duty military and reserve components continue to provide significant, direct support to Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEA) in the form of transportation, equipment, intelligence support, training, and services. Requests for support from DLEAs within the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) receive high priority. The National Guard provides support in accordance with the 54 States and Territories Governors' Counterdrug Plans to support Federal, state and local DLEAs. Additionally, the Defense Intelligence Agency hosts and supports the FBI-led Interagency Dominant Chronicle money laundering intelligence program. 

• DoD provides extensive Demand Reduction Drug Testing, Education and Awareness programs focused on maintaining military readiness. Additionally, DoD has implemented Drug Free Workplace Programs in all of its civilian agencies. 

• Pursuant to its statutory role as the lead agency of the Federal Government for the detection and monitoring of the aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs to the United States, DoD maintains a robust maritime air surveillance tracking system in the transit zone (the northern coast of South America to the U.S. border) and air surveillance aerostats along the U.S. Southwest border and Gulf Coast. 



• In the transit zone, DoD utilizes naval combatants, E-2, E-3 and P-3 aircraft, F-16 interceptors, two Relocatable Over The Horizon Radars (ROTHR), Caribbean Basin Radar Network (CBRN), and the aerostats. Transit zone interdiction operations provide a critical line of defense and have directly assisted law enforcement agencies to seize over 100 metric tons of cocaine each year. Additionally, extensive intelligence and training support is provided to participating nations and law enforcement agencies. 



• Further, requests for support from DLEAs along the Southwest border receive high priority. The National Guard and active duty and reserve components provide direct support in the form of transportation, equipment, intelligence support, training, and services. 



• Lastly, in response to Congressional direction, DoD is developing a suite of drug detection instruments and truck/container x-rays to support U.S. Customs' efforts at U.S. ports of entry.



• Beginning in FY 1997, certain intelligence programs previously included in the DoD drug control budget were transferred to the Intelligence Community Management Account (ICMA). 

• DoD supports extensive foreign intelligence collection and analysis programs that support cocaine source nations, transit zone interagency and international efforts to arrest and dismantle drug mafia kingpins and their organizations. These programs have contributed significantly to the arrest of the Cali mafia members and the disruption of their organizational infrastructure. DoD also maintains an air surveillance capability in the cocaine source nations of South America. 



• DoD supports programs to strengthen participating nations' efforts to interdict cocaine, perform riverine operations, and support participating nations with intelligence and planning. Over the past two years, the umbrella of Operation Laser Strike has been exceptionally successful in expanding participating nations' operational effectiveness in these areas. Additionally, for source nation support, DoD utilizes E-3 and Tracker aircraft, operates ground mobile radars, and is installing a ROTHR surveillance radar in Puerto Rico. 

1997 Base Program

• The 1997 enacted level of $957.5 million supports all five Strategy goals and includes $175 million in increases over the FY 1997 Budget Request of $782 million. These increases include a one-time increase of $165 million for both interdiction and state and local assistance efforts; and an additional $10 million for counterdrug operations (OPTEMPO), bringing counterdrug OPTEMPO funding in FY 1997 to $150.4 million. The 1997 enacted level includes:



• $14.1 million for National Guard Demand Reduction outreach programs which support Goal 1 of the Strategy. Of this amount, $4 million is directly attributable to the one-time FY 1997 enacted increase.



• $117.6 million for law enforcement support activities, of which $30.2 million is directly attributable to the one-time FY 1997 enacted increase. FY 1997 funding for activities that support Goal 2 includes the following highlighted programs: $9.1 million for counterdrug OPTEMPO, $10.3 million for operational support, $79.4 million for a portion of the National Guard State Plans that supports domestic drug law enforcement efforts outside the Southwest border and Puerto Rico, $2 million for Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces, and $11.8 million to support the Gulf States Initiative for regional counterdrug training.



• $73.7 million for military and civilian drug testing, education and awareness, and prevention activities in support of Goal 3.



• $517.1 million for interdiction activities, of which $100.7 million is directly attributable to the one-time FY 1997 enacted increase. FY 1997 funding for activities in support of Goal 4 includes the following highlighted programs: $132.2 million for counterdrug OPTEMPO; $171.7 million of detection, monitoring and interdiction programs (ocean-going surveillance ships, Virginia and Texas ROTHR, aerostats, CBRNs, E-2 support, and one-time funding for the modification of a P-3 AEW aircraft); $66.2 million for command and control and intelligence programs; $88.3 million in operational support (including support to Mexico, and Joint Task Force - Six and military reserve support programs); and $49.6 million for a portion of the total National Guard State Plans that supports domestic law enforcement efforts along the Southwest border.



• $235 million for intelligence activities and support to participating nations, of which $28 million is directly attributable to the one-time FY 1997 enacted increase. FY 1997 funding for activities in support of Goal 5 includes the following highlighted programs: $9.1 million for counterdrug OPTEMPO, $24 million for command and control and intelligence programs, $64.8 million for surveillance platforms (the Puerto Rico ROTHR, the tracker aircraft, and ground mobile radars) and effective ground-based end game operations, $11.9 million for intelligence support and analysis programs, $35.3 million for signal intelligence collection and processing programs, $47.6 million for training (e.g. host nation training), and $41.3 million for National Guard marijuana eradication efforts.

• The total FY 1998 drug control budget request is $808.6 million, a decrease of $149 million from the FY 1997 enacted level of $957.5 million. Howerver, this decrease does not reflect a lessening of program effort but includes $165 million in one-time increases provided in FY 1997. The FY 1998 Budget Request is an increase of $26.6 million over the FY 1997 base program level request of $782 million. Total counterdrug OPTEMPO funding for FY 1998 is $156 million. 

• The total drug control request for Goal 1 activities for FY 1998 is $10.1 million, a decrease of $4 million from the FY 1997 enacted level. The 1997 enacted level included one-time increases for National Guard programs. The 1998 request maintains the National Guard's efforts in assisting community groups to provide drug prevention information.

• The total drug control request for Goal 2 activities for FY 1998 is $89.1 million, a net decrease of $28.5 million from the FY 1997 enacted level. The decrease is attributable to FY 1997 one-time increases for National Guard programs and the Gulf States Counterdrug Initiative for regional counterdrug training. The FY 1998 programs continue the significant, direct support to law enforcement agencies, particularly in the HIDTA areas, and includes $8.8 million in counterdrug OPTEMPO.

• The total drug control request for Goal 3 activities for FY 1998 is $72.7 million, a decrease of $1 million from the FY 1997 enacted level. The 1998 request continues to support the introduction of automation upgrades in collection procedures, chain-of-custody procedures, confirmation testing within the military laboratories, and other laboratory improvements.  

• The total drug control request for Goal 4 activities for FY 1998 is $420.4 million, a decrease of $96.7 million from the FY 1997 enacted level. The decrease is attributable to the one-time FY 1997 increases for the modification of one P3 AEW aircraft, the procurement of Non-Intrusive Inspection Systems for the U.S. Customs, and increased funding for the Southwest border Information Systems. DoD will reach a new level of detection and monitoring capability in FY 1998 due to the completion of some major procurement/upgrade programs. Counterdrug upgrades to the Navy P-3 aircraft and an additional Airborne Early Warning asset will provide a more robust and flexible coverage of trafficker activities in the transit zone. Counterdrug OPTEMPO for FY 1998 in support of Goal 4 activities is $137.3 million.

• The total drug control request for Goal 5 activities for FY 1998 is $216.3 million, a decrease of $18.7 million from the FY 1997 enacted level. The decrease is attributable to the one-time FY 1997 increases for radar upgrades, riverine operations, and enhanced support within source nations. U.S. Southern Command will implement a new steady state plan that institutionalizes the successful programs and level of effort of Operation Laser Strike. The ROTHR in Puerto Rico will be installed and should be operational by the end of FY 1998. Greater emphasis will be placed on enhancing riverine operations, and an additional ground based radar will be operational in the source nation region. Five Citation Tracker aircraft will provide an enhanced end-game capability, and DoD will continue to build forward operating bases for and provide critical training to participating nation counterdrug forces. Counterdrug OPTEMPO for Goal 5 programs in FY 1998 is $9.9 million. 

VI. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

During FY 1996, DoD achieved the following accomplishments.

Accomplishments Relative to Goal 2:

• DoD provided over $35 million in military (Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve) support to DLEA requests.



• DoD transferred more than $381 million of excess equipment to DLEAs, including over 3,000 vehicles and 278 aircraft.



• DoD provided $2.6 million worth of fixed wing air transportation support to DLEAs. 

• DoD continues to execute a comprehensive military drug testing program that acts both as a deterrent and also identifies drug abusers, who are then discharged from the Service. This program maintains a level of drug use in the military which is significantly lower than that of the general population, and ensures combat readiness. The DoD testing program is supported by six military drug testing laboratories which handle over 3 million test samples annually.



• In addition, DoD provides extensive drug awareness and training for its military and civilian workforce, and complies with the Executive Order Drug Free Workplace Program, including civilian drug testing. The Department continues to automate the military drug testing laboratories and is implementing improvements to the overall deterrence value of the drug testing program. 

• DoD has maintained an effective, robust detection and monitoring capability in the Transit Zone with flexible assets such as the ROTHRs in Texas and Virginia, ocean-going surveillance ships, and E-2 and P-3 AEW aircraft. DoD's current counterdrug force laydown in the Transit Zone costs about half as much as that in FY 1993, and is more effective.



• Concurrent with DoD's improved detection and monitoring capability in the Transit Zone, significant progress was made in improving overland Transit Zone counterdrug efforts through military-to-military cooperation with Mexico.



• DoD implemented a comprehensive counterdrug capability improvement program for the Mexican military, focusing on the transfer of surplus U.S. military equipment and the conduct of specialized training for Mexican military units engaged in counterdrug support operations.



• DoD provided reconnaissance between ports of entry, minor construction of border roads and fences, linguists and intelligence analysts, National Guard cargo inspection support at ports of entry, and law enforcement training along the Southwest border.



• The National Guard assisted DLEAs in the seizure of 84 metric tons of cocaine and 371 metric tons of processed marijuana. In addition, the National Guard assisted the U.S. Customs Service with the inspection of over 145,000 sea/land containers and 750,000 trucks.



• Intelligence continues to play the dominant role in defining the target for LEA end-game operations. Intelligence contributed directly to numerous multi-ton cocaine seizures along the Southwest border, the interdiction of heavily-laden maritime craft enroute to the U.S., and the disruption of aerial penetrations and drug drop-offs in Caribbean waters. 

• During FY 1996, DoD detection and monitoring, communications, infrastructure development, logistical support, intelligence, and training enabled the nations of the cocaine source region to conduct aggressive and effective interdiction efforts.



• More than one dozen narco-trafficking aircraft were successfully interdicted through DoD supported detection, monitoring, and tracking efforts in Colombia and Peru. An additional twelve aircraft were seized by source nation drug law enforcement agencies as a result of investigations supported by DoD intelligence programs.



• The monthly incidence of narco-trafficking by air in the source zone remains 80% below rates observed in 1994 before more aggressive interdiction efforts were instituted. As a result of successful air interdiction, the price of coca base in Peru remains depressed at approximately $300/kilogram. At this level, a third of the coca farmers cannot make a profit.



• The U.S. Southern Command-executed Operation Laser Strike increased the level of personnel and detection and monitoring assets dedicated to source nation interdiction efforts and focused on enhancing military and police river interdiction capabilities.



• DoD funded the transfer of 11 Excess Defense Article A-37 aircraft to Peru in order to improve the operational readiness and sustainability of the Peruvian Air Force counterdrug air interdiction program.



• DoD transported excess UH-1H helicopters to Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Panama in support of State Department counterdrug programs throughout Latin America.



• DoD funded infrastructure development and upgrades in Colombia and Peru, as well as extensive training for law enforcement pilots and maintenance crews to enhance ground-based end-game operations.



• DoD personnel deployed throughout the source region to conduct comprehensive training on river patrolling tactics, vessel boarding procedures, riverine operations planning, safety and small boat maintenance.



• DoD continued to support Southeast and Southwest Asia country teams and host nations in their counterdrug effort against illegal heroin trafficking. Six training missions in support of host nation law enforcement personnel were conducted in FY 1996. DoD also provided intelligence analysts support to DEA overseas.



• DoD counterdrug support in Thailand has fostered goodwill and the spirit of cooperation between our governments. U.S. operational planning, training and communications equipment were provided to complete Thailand's Central Task Force Fusion Center, and efforts continue for the Southern Task Force Fusion Center.



• The eradication of 2 million cultivated marijuana plants and 33 million non-cultivated marijuana plants was carried out, resulting in over 125,000 arrests.



• DoD provided critical strategic, operational, and tactical intelligence production in support of host nation and LEA interdiction operations. More than ever, the value of intelligence-cued operations was evident in the significant disruption of narco-trafficking patterns in the source and transit zones, the arrests and incarceration of international drug transportation leaders, and the seizure of Cali Mafia assets.



• Key events included the arrest of the leader of the Mexican Gulf Cartel, arrests of many Cali Mafia second echelon leadership, and the dismantling of the single largest Latin American maritime organization and arrest of its leadership.