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(U) DEA - The "Other" Warfighter
FROM:
DEA Account Manager (S112)
Run Date: 04/20/2004
FROM:
DEA Account Manager (S112)
(U//FOUO) When you think about our top national security threats, chances are that terrorism
and military conflict come quickly to mind - and for good reason. But how many of us list illegal
narcotics among the top threats to our society? Our national leadership recognized the
seriousness this problem poses and declared a war on drugs two decades ago. This "war" has all
the risks, excitement, and dangers of conventional warfare, and the stakes are equally high.
(U//FOUO) We are all aware that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is leading our
nation's counternarcotics (CN) efforts. But many are not aware that from the start NSA has
been at the forefront of Intelligence Community (IC) support to this seemingly unconventional
DOD mission. The novel collection and analysis techniques NSA developed and refined against
these criminal hard targets have not only resulted in major successes in the war on drugs, but
they have also proven invaluable to other critical SIGINT missions, particularly counterterrorism,
sometimes blurring the lines between the two missions.
(C) DEA has close relationships with foreign government counterparts and vetted foreign
partners. The results of this team approach regularly make the headlines in the form of major
drug busts and arrests. Less known is the critical supporting role that NSA continues to play in
key DEA operations to disrupt the flow of narcotics to our country and thwart other, related
crimes. DEA, however, recognizes the unique access and sole source information NSA provides
and coordinates major cases with the S2F/ICN Product Line.
(C) As a result, both agencies enjoy a vibrant two-way information sharing relationship that
enhances their common mission. Processes have been carefully established to exchange lead
(foreign intelligence) information while protecting NSA equities. The Customer Relationships
Directorate (S1), the Data Acquisition Directorate (S3), and MRSOC work with the S2F/ICN
office as an integrated team to realize these mission successes.
(S//SI) One of those successes: Based on SCS (US-966L) intercept, S2F/ICN issued an OPS
IMMEDIATE report on 30 March 2004 on the exact whereabouts of Colombian narcotics trafficker
Gonzalo Hinojosa, an evasive and brutal international fugitive wanted for murder, drug
trafficking, and money laundering. S2F had the foresight to include a tearline to share the
actionable intelligence with Panamanian partners. With a short window for action, NSA's
worked through the Joint Interagency Task Force (JITF) - South to immediately
forward the information to DEA/Panama. DEA/Panama in turn alerted the Panamanian
authorities who quickly located and apprehended Hinojosa, without knowing the information
came from NSA SIGINT. As Chief
noted, this is an excellent example of
"outcome-oriented collaboration."
(U//FOUO) To learn more about NSA support to the "other" warfighter, DEA, visit the
International Crime and Narcotics (S2F) website.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108