WATCH

The following was compiled by DEA Watch after interviewing DEA Special Agents...

From 1980 to the present the FBI has slowly immersed itself into the troubled waters of drug enforcement. For all practical purposes the FBI is now running the drug war within the Justice Department having usurped DEA's power and status. It is clear that the FBI is in charge of the drug war and not the DEA. International governments are also starting to realize FBI influence in this arena.

August 19, 1993 - The New York Times reported Vice President Al Gore and Attorney General Janet Reno say they want to merge the FBI and DEA in Gore's "Reinventing Government" plan.

September/October 1993 - DEA Administrator Robert Bonner and DEA Deputy Administrator Stephen Greene put up a vigorous defense of DEA demonstrating DEA's importance as a "single-mission" agency.

October 21, 1993 - Janet Reno announces that the FBI-DEA merger will not happen. However, she has decided that FBI Director Louis Freeh will filla new Justice Department position,Director for Investigative Agency Policies. Freeh's job will be to resolve operational issues where there is overlapping jurisdiction among law enforcement agencies of the Justice Department. This includes drug trafficking, violence and apprehension of fugitives.Robert Bonner,DEA Administrator applauded Reno's decision to maintain DEA's independence.

October 31, 1993 - Robert Bonner resigns from the DEA, saying he found fault with Janet Reno's naming of FBI Director Louis J. Freeh to head a new Justice Department office devoted to mediating disputes involving the FBI, DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Border Patrol."This represents an abdication of the responsibility of the Justice Department, which should exercise civilian policy control over federal law enforcement agencies. Having the Director of the FBI call the shots here certainly is not going to create the perception of impartiality, neutrality that I think is important."

January 12, 1994 - Thomas Constantine will become the Administrator of the DEA. News reports say Constantine has enjoyed a close working relationship with the new Director of the FBI, Louis Freeh. Mention was made that Constantine's tenure at The New York State Police had been marred by troopers' admissions that they falsified fingerprints in and effort to convict suspects.

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WATCH

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
For Immediate Release AG
Thursday, October 21, 1993
(202) 514-2007

WASHINGTON DC -- Attorney General Janet Reno today said that she has settled on a plan to implement the recommendations of the National Performance Review, directed by Vice President Al Gore, which called for improved coordination by all Justice Department components in the war on drugs. The VP's task force recommended"major structural changes to integrate drug enforcement efforts of the DEA and FBI."

After numerous discussions with the VP, his staff and the component agencies of the Justice Department, the Attorney General proposes, after appropriate consultation with Congress, to establish a new position in the Justice Department, theDIRECTOR FOR INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY POLICIES.

The Director would have decision-making authority, subject to review by the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, to resolve operational issues where there is overlapping jurisdiction among law enforcement agencies of the Department of Justice -- FBI, DEA, US Marshals and the Border Patrol. This would include such matters as drug trafficking, violence and apprehension of fugitives.

The Director would also advise the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General with respect to administrative, budgetary and personnel issues involving those agencies.

The Director would be appointed, Reno said, from among Presidential appointees, and have a staff of senior personnel chosen from the existing resources of investigative agencies and housed in the Justice Department. The Director would establish and implement uniform standards for investigations, including targeting, intelligence gathering and dissemination, training and procurement.

The Attorney General said that she had asked Louis J. Freeh to be the first Director for Investigative Agency Policies when the position is constituted. In addition, Freeh would continue as FBI Director.

The Drug Enforcement Administration would remain a specialized, single mission agency conducting investigations of matter involving illicit trafficking in drugs. It would be headed by its own Administrator, as it is now. It will continue to choose, promote and supervise its own personnel. However, where overlap occurs among Department of Justice investigative agencies, the Director for Investigative Agency Policies would make the decisions and implement strategies and objectives necessary to maximize the effective use of Justice Department resources. #### 93-320 [ Return ]

FROM -- Drug Enforcement Administration
Public Affairs Section, Washington DC

For Immediate Release, Thursday, October 21, 1993

Robert C. Bonner, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), issued the following statement today concerning the Attorney General's decision to maintain the DEA as an independent agency:

"I am gratified that the Attorney General has announced her decision today to preserve the Drug Enforcement administration as a specialized, single-mission agency dedicated to combating the scourge of illegal drugs. The men and women of DEA deeply appreciate the confidence she has demonstrated by her decision in their expertise, capabilities, and professionalism. DEA fully supports the initiative announced by the Attorney General today to harmonize investigative activities where there is overlap between investigative agencies of the Department of Justice."[ Return ]