The W/B HIDTA works to reduce drug trafficking and misuse by improving interagency collaboration, promoting accurate and timely information and intelligence sharing, and providing specialized training and other resources to its law enforcement intelligence, treatment, and prevention initiatives. | |
|
On June 1, 1994, I started my role as the executive director for the newly-designated Washington/Baltimore HIDTA (W/B HIDTA). The word back then was that the HIDTA Program would not last more than a few years. Thankfully, the HIDTA Program, and in particular the W/B HIDTA, has flourished over the past 29 years. The HIDTA Program grew from six HIDTAs in 1994 to 33 HIDTAs today, covering every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Thanks to the combined efforts of the more than 22,000 personnel working in HIDTA-funded initiatives nationwide, we take deadly drugs from the streets, seize illicit drug profits, and save an untold number of lives every day.
As executive director of the W/B HIDTA, I have had the great fortune of working with the finest staff and greatest partners imaginable. Initiatives we have grown accustomed to using in our daily work did not exist in 1994. I am very proud to say that thanks to the W/B HDTA’s talented and dedicated staff, we now have a nationwide event deconfliction system—Case Explorer—which interfaces with the other two event deconfliction systems, thereby enhancing officer safety. Our Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) system, developed to track overdoses in near-real time, has grown from covering just three counties in 2017, to covering all 50 states in just a matter of a few years. HIDTA’s Performance Management Process (PMP) system grew out of the insight and skill of W/B HIDTA staff into a HIDTA-wide system that ONDCP and Congress rely on for assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of the HIDTA Program, and drug enforcement overall. Today, researchers routinely use PMP data to determine drug trafficking trends and discover emerging threats.
Our accomplishments have not been limited to technological advancements. The W/B HIDTA’s Investigative Support Center (ISC) has long set the standard for information sharing and intelligence analysis. Our drug treatment and prevention initiatives have paved the way for interagency cooperation and coordination, resulting in the reliance on evidence-based practices that continue to save the lives of those suffering from substance use disorder and prevent others from turning to illicit drug use. A Division for Advancing Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) is leading the way in providing training and much- needed technical assistance to every HIDTA, and numerous state and local agencies.
I started my law enforcement career with the Maryland State Police July 5, 1971. I will end my law enforcement career with HIDTA sometime in early 2024, when our executive board selects my successor. After nearly 53 years in law enforcement, the best advice I can transmit to you is this:
1) Learn to listen
2) Embrace change
3) Surround yourself with smart people, and
4) Act based on their input and your moral compass.
Over the years, I have worked with some of the most dedicated and talented professionals, all of whom help to make my job so very rewarding. I am leaving with the knowledge that I have done the best I could do to make this nation a safer place. My thanks to everyone for your unwavering support.
Happy Holidays!
| | |
|
Tom Carr
Executive Director
Washington/Baltimore HIDTA
| | |
Decorated Law Enforcement Administrator and Champion Johnny Hughes Retires | |
|
Former W/B HIDTA Executive Board Member Johnny Hughes has retired as the U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland after a long and illustrious career focused on public service. He served as a Maryland State Trooper from 1967 to 1996, during which time he was a field training officer for a young Tom Carr, among other important roles.
Hughes was the chair of legislative and congressional affairs for the National Troopers Coalition from 1982 to 1996, and as the organization’s director of government relations for the next eight years.
Prior to becoming U.S. Marshal, Hughes was director of the National HIDTA Program’s congressional affairs and public information office. His service as U.S. Marshal began on February 14, 2002. During this time, Hughes led hundreds of law enforcement initiatives that have taken thousands of violent criminals off the street. Additionally, he addressed social issues by building public safety partnerships with the community. He was a proud supporter of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation’s Badges for Baseball program, Feds Feed Families Food Drive, Toys for Tots toy drive, and numerous other joint problem solving activities.
Hughes was the recipient of the U.S. Attorney General’s Special Commendation Award in 1993, and the recipient of the National Law Enforcement Council Achievement Award in 1992.
Tom Carr related, “Johnny has meant so much to so many people, including me. We have truly appreciated his active participation on the W/B HIDTA’s executive board, on which he led many committees and provided valuable feedback and ideas which advanced our organization’s mission.”
Congratulations and thank you Johnny for your dedication to making Maryland a safer, more compassionate place to live, work, and visit.
| |
Eight Indicted in Cocaine Trafficking Investigation on Maryland’s Eastern Shore | |
|
According to a Worcester County (MD) Sheriff’s Office press release, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team have conducted a long-term drug distribution investigation in the Pocomoke, MD area. The investigation began as a result of an increase in drug overdoses and several citizens contacting law enforcement about suspected drug activity in their community. At the investigation’s conclusion, eight people were indicted by a grand jury for charges ranging from narcotic production equipment, distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of cocaine.
Three additional individuals who were a part of this investigation were charged with various firearms and drug offenses earlier in the year. For more information, click here.
| |
ODMAP Introduces New Features Improving the System's Quality and Usability | |
|
The ODMAP team is always looking to improve how agencies use the system by enhancing the quality and characteristics of ODMAP’s tools. In November 2023, ODMAP released three new features, including: 1) polysubstance filters; 2) the demographics layer; and 3) spike alert layers.
The polysubstance filters feature, allows users to filter by primary suspected drug and additional suspected drugs. The filters can also be added to custom bookmarks. ODMAP users can now view additional suspected drugs on the incident pop-up when clicking on a data point on the National Map, as well as viewing on the chart feature.
The demographics layer provides users with a county-level data dashboard that includes information and charts on demographic and socio-economic data directly from the US Census. ODMAP users can toggle on the demographics layers by clicking on the layers button in the toolbar on the National Map.
Spike alert layers are intended to provide ODMAP users a view of where current and recent spikes are located directly on the National Map. Each layer is color-coded based on how long ago the spike occurred. By way of example, current spikes will appear bright yellow on the National Map, whereas recent overdose spikes vary in color depending on the timeframe of the spike.
To learn more about ODMAP, please visit http://www.odmap.org/ or email odmap@wb.hidta.org for more information.
| |
Investigative Support Center | |
Analyst Roundtable Discussions Go International | |
|
The W/B HIDTA Investigative Support Center has facilitated monthly Analyst Roundtable discussions for law enforcement analysts and investigators this year. These discussions enable the sharing of knowledge on drug and weapons trafficking, illicit finance, changing criminal landscapes and other valuable topics to further the efforts of law enforcement on the local, state, and federal levels.
In 2022, a new tradition emerged, taking the Analyst Roundtable discussions to the international level. On October 11th, 2023, the Canada Border Services Agency hosted the W/B HIDTA ISC Analyst Roundtable at the Canadian Embassy, focusing on fentanyl trafficking across national borders. Federal, state, and local representatives from the United States were joined with the International Targeting Center liaison officers from Canada to review presentations from the Canada Border Services Agency, the W/B HIDTA, and French Customs. We are looking forward to future collaboration in 2024.
| |
ADAPT Hosts Successful Annual HIDTA Prevention Summit | |
|
In October, during National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, A Division for Advancing Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) hosted its annual HIDTA Prevention Summit. Over 1,100 people participated in the day-long event to learn about strategies and resources which may be used to support their efforts to address complex substance use prevention issues.
Prevention experts and practitioners delivered presentations to strengthen understanding of the need to prioritize substance use prevention and integrate prevention activities into a comprehensive, community-based strategy. They emphasized how communities can thoughtfully develop and evaluate prevention activities using the best available evidence to prevent unintended harm. The following two new tools were released to support application of this content:
-
Developing a Comprehensive Community-Based Strategy, a brief designed to 1) summarize key lessons learned from prevention science that highlight what works to prevent substance use and promote positive development in youth, and 2) present a five-phase approach to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive, community-based prevention strategy.
-
Sharing Substance-Related Information with Youth 11-18: Integrating the Best Available Evidence to Prevent Unintended Harm, a resource providing evidence-informed considerations for how to share substance-related information with youth 11-18, grounded in the science of social norms, to reduce the risk of unintended harm.
Both tools are available under the ‘Tools Released by ADAPT’ heading at the
Prevention Intervention Resource Center today.
An overwhelming 100% of Summit participants walked away having learned something new and 77% left ready to apply what they had learned. Over 96% of attendees found the content and delivery of the material to be relatable, 95% found the concepts presented were easily digestible, and 70% of attendees found that the majority of the content was new to them.
If you missed the Summit, access to all event recordings and resources are available HERE.
| |
|
Check Out the New Training Opportunities Taking Place in the W/B HIDTA Region!
For information on how to register for these programs, please contact Ramona Boland at rboland@wb.hidta.org.
Technology Threats and Trends Against Law Enforcement
- Provided by: Northeast Counterdrug Training Center
- Co-hosted by: W/B HIDTA and the Metropolitan Washington, DC Police Academy
- When: April 3-4, 2024; 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Metropolitan Police Academy, Washington, DC
- Cost: Free of charge
This class is for law enforcement personnel who want to learn more about how technologies are being used or misused to commit crimes, avoid or detect investigations, and to conduct counter-surveillance. The class will also reveal simple, inexpensive ways to mitigate the success of criminals using or misusing these technologies for these purposes, and provide some investigative tips.
Human Trafficking in Narcotics Investigations
- Provided by: Hope for Justice
- Co-hosted by: W/B HIDTA and the Metropolitan Washington, DC Police Academy
- When: March 18, 2024; 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Where: Metropolitan Police Academy, Washington, DC
- Cost: Free of charge
This course covers the direct correlation between human trafficking and all levels of narcotics investigations. Topics will include the difference between human trafficking and human smuggling, how traffickers select and groom their victims, how to recognize human trafficking, how to investigate human trafficking, among others.
Cell Phone Investigation Techniques
- Provided by: Northeast Counterdrug Training Center
- Co-Hosted by: W/B HIDTA and the Metropolitan Washington, DC Police Academy
- When: June 10-11, 2024; 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Metropolitan Police Academy, Washington, DC
- Cost: Free of charge
Criminals’ heavy reliance of cell phones makes is crucial for police to learn how to successfully exploit these technologies. Among other topics, students will learn the fundamental aspects of developing wiretap investigations, uses and analyzing of pen registers, use of cell phone geo fences around a crime scene, and Wi-Fi router interrogation.
Tactical Narcotics Briefings
- Provided by: Northeast Counterdrug Training Center
- Co-Hosted by: W/B HIDTA and the Frederick County (VA) Sheriff’s Office
- When: July 15-17, 2024
- Where: Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Winchester, VA
- Cost: Free of charge
This course is designed to provide investigators with the skills necessary for obtaining information regarding narcotics investigations through interviewing and interrogation in an ethical and legal framework. Students will learn the difference between interrogations and interviews, methods for establishing rapport, how to develop case-specific themes, proper room setup, the difference between an admission and a confession, and techniques to ensure the interview is conducted in a legal manner.
| |
For more information on all the classes and how register, click HERE. | |
Thank you for reading The W/B HIDTA Quarterly Journal! | |
Click here to visit our website. | | | | |
