Dear Representatives Harder and Moran,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 2194, the “HIDTA Enhancement Act.”
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was enacted in 1988 to provide additional support to areas with high rates of drug trafficking. Since its enactment, the program has designated over 33 areas as HIDTA locations and has subsequently coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies to combat this issue. This includes the creation of Investigative Support Centers, which use cutting-edge technology to analyze and disseminate information about drug cartels. According to HIDTA, in 2022 over 134 criminal organizations were dismantled by HIDTA-sponsored initiatives and over 8,769 kilograms of drugs were removed from the black market.
The HIDTA program plays a key role in equipping our officers with the tools necessary to combat the ongoing drug epidemic. Your legislation would increase the HIDTA program’s budget by over $28 million to provide for the creation of new grant programs that would enhance fentanyl seizure operations and improve coordination between law enforcement agencies. Additionally, this legislation would require the assignment of U.S. attorneys to HIDTA locations, which would ensure that drug traffickers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It would also direct the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to provide reports detailing the use of HIDTA funds in investigating cases involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogs. Our officers face the dangers of drug trafficking every day, and this legislation would help keep our communities safe.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on this important issue. If I can provide any additional information about this bill, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President