Calendar Year 2005

Annual Report

10220 NW Ambassador Drive, Suite 720

Kansas City, Missouri 64153

(816) 746-4911

(816) 746-9712 Fax

1 
2

MIDWEST HIDTA 

2005 ANNUAL REPORT 

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

During CY 2005, the Midwest HIDTA supported forty enforcement task forces and forty-eight 

initiatives in seventy-four HIDTA designated counties in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, 

North Dakota and South Dakota. During CY 2005, Midwest HIDTA supported task forces and 

initiatives effectively used HIDTA program resources to investigate a growing number of drug 

related cases that posed significant threats to strategic drug markets and other communities 

within the Midwest HIDTA region. The Midwest continues to provide a fertile environment for 

the importation, manufacturing and distribution of narcotics 

Midwest HIDTA Drug Task Force investigators conduct complex, in-depth, multi-jurisdictional 

investigations with an emphasis on dismantling organizations and reducing drug-related violence 

in designated areas. Investigations target the highest-level of drug trafficking and money 

laundering organizations utilizing undercover operations and electronic surveillance of command 

and control communications. These investigations are intelligence driven and are conducted in a 

spirit of cooperation between federal, state, and local counterparts in a task force environment. 

Although Drug Trafficking Organizations operating in this region are polydrug operations, the 

most significant drug threat in the Midwest HIDTA region remains methamphetamine. Law 

enforcement continues to confront multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine being 

transported into the region by Mexican trafficking organizations, and also the production of 

lesser amounts of high-quality methamphetamine in local clandestine laboratories. 

Mexican drug trafficking organizations continue to dominate wholesale transportation and 

distribution of imported methamphetamine and other illicit drugs into the region. These 

organizations use traditional transportation routes and concealment techniques coupled with ever 

changing and creative methods to deliver products. 

The following performance highlights illustrate the success of the Midwest HIDTA participating 

task forces and law enforcement agencies. 

3⁄4 9,219 individuals were arrested for drug violations by Midwest HIDTA initiative task 

forces during CY 2005. Task forces seized 1,684 firearms during the course of these 

investigations, an increase of 12% over CY 2004 firearm seizures. HIDTA Task forces 

seized 508 pounds (231 kilograms) of methamphetamine and 167 pounds (76 kilograms) 

of methamphetamine ICE during CY 2005. 6,756 pounds (3,071 kilograms) of cocaine 

was seized by HIDTA Initiatives during CY 2005 an increase of 165% for CY 2005 due 

to the addition of State highway interdiction efforts in MO, IA, and KS.

3⁄4 Federal defendants charged with drug violations for the six state region totaled 2,497 by 

the 8 federal Districts within Midwest HIDTA. Of these 1,388 individuals were charged 

with methamphetamine offenses. Of the 2,497 individuals charged during CY 2005, 694 

were result of OCDETF investigations. Federal drug convictions totaled 2,839 a 10% 

increase from CY 2004 convictions. There were 6,279 state drug prosecutions as a result 

of HIDTA task force investigations. 
3

3⁄4 Task Forces identified 259 new Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) during CY 2005, 

133 were local DTOs, 116 DTOs designated as multi-state, 14 designated CPOT 

investigations and 10 International DTOs identified. During CY 2005, 132 DTOs were 

disrupted and 42 DTOs were dismantled. 59 DTO investigations during CY 2005 were 

designated as OCDETF cases. 

3⁄4 3,826 clandestine lab seizure incidents were reported to EPIC through the National Clan 

Lab Seizure System during CY 2005 for the six states comprising Midwest HIDTA, a 

dramatic decrease in the 5,085 clandestine lab seizure incidents reported to EPIC during 

CY 2004. 

3⁄4 The ISC Watch Center SafeTnet Event Deconfliction Program received 2,414 entries. 

Subject and Target deconfliction through HIDTA SafeTnet and MOSPIN program totaled 

16,175 entries with all entries being submitted to the National Virtual Pointer System 

(NVPS) for national target deconfliction. This is an increase of 23% over 13,128 entries 

in CY 2004. 

3⁄4 Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center requests for case support totaled 456 with 

an additional 432 requests made to the Watch Center. Investigative Support Center 

analysts prepared 134 charts and graphs during CY 2005. 46 requests for document 

analysis were processed by the ISC. Toll analysis requests totaled 516 during CY 2005 

with an additional 80 requests for Pen Register analysis and assistance. The Watch Center 

assisted in obtaining 228 Drivers License Photos. A total of 1,003 work products were 

disseminated to law enforcement during CY 2005 by the Investigative Support Center.

3⁄4 In 2005, 872 users across 147 different locations are connected to HIDTA resources via 

HIDTA.Net (utilizing the riss.net) an increase of 11% over CY 2004 users total of 784, 

and an increase of over 6% in remote locations having access to HIDTA.Net compared to 

the 138 locations in CY 2004. 

3⁄4 During CY 2005 the National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System (CLSS) reported 

144 children being exposed and affected by methamphetamine laboratories in the 

Midwest HIDTA region.

3⁄4 The Midwest HIDTA distributed over 290,000 pieces of Drug Demand Reduction and 

Education material to law enforcement and governmental agencies through its partnership 

with the Fulfillment House during CY 2005.

II. INTRODUCTION

This Annual Report summarizes activities of Midwest HIDTA Initiatives for the calendar year 

2005. The Midwest HIDTA is tasked with implementing the Presidents National Drug Control 

Strategy through regional impact on national issues. The Director of the Office of National Drug 

Control Policy (ONDCP) designates regions with critical drug trafficking problems adversely 

impacting the United States as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs). The Midwest 

HIDTA, designated in 1996, consists of designated counties in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, 

Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. The Midwest HIDTA encompasses 74 designated 

counties consisting of urban core cities, statistical metropolitan areas (SMA) and suburban and 

rural areas with a population of approximately 8.1 million people, making the Midwest HIDTA 

one of the most populous of the 28 HIDTAs. Geographically, the Midwest HIDTA is located at 
4

the crossroads of significant importation, manufacturing, and staging areas for drug trafficking 

organizations (DTOs). The region’s location in the “Heart of America” provides a fertile 

environment for the production and distribution of narcotics that is either produced locally or 

imported into the region, primarily by organizations located in the southwest border area or 

Mexico. 

During 2005, the most significant development in attacking clandestine manufacturing of 

methamphetamine was significant efforts by Midwest State legislatures in enacting tough laws 

regulating the key ingredient to making methamphetamine, Pseudoephedrine (PSE). Control 

legislation has been enacted by State legislatures during 2005 by all six states in the Midwest 

HIDTA. The results of precursor control have been dramatic. The Iowa Governor’s Office of 

Drug Control Policy prepared a report concerning the Impact of Senate File 169 on Meth Abuse 

in Iowa. This report analyzed the impact of this important legislation. Between June and 

December 2005, Iowa meth lab incidents plummeted nearly 80% compared to the same period in 

2004. Iowa control legislation was implemented on May 21, 2005. A preliminary total of 138 

meth lab incidents were reported to the State for the period of June through December 2005, 

down from 673 for the same period in 2004. The most immediate effect of state control of 

precursors on community safety is the reduced threat of injury due to fire, explosion, respiratory 

distress and other hazards posed by toxic clandestine meth labs. 

A data snapshot shows a reduction in meth-related injuries and a savings of about $2.5 million in 

associated treatment costs in the State of Iowa. The reduction in meth labs also translated into a 

savings of time, equipment, supplies and other costs demanded of local and state law 

enforcement agencies. Authorities estimated that $2 million dollars previously spent on Iowa lab 

responses will be freed up to address other drug enforcement priorities, including meth and other 

drugs smuggled into Iowa communities. Potentially those resources previously devoting 

significant time and effort to clandestine manufacturing can now be used on methamphetamine 

importation and drug distribution. Although meth lab incidents are down significantly in the 

Midwest region the demand for methamphetamine has not decreased. The Iowa Governor’s 

office believes that drug trafficking organizations are filling this demand. Unfortunately, much of 

the supply is now in the form of crystal meth or ICE a purer form of methamphetamine. During 

2005 the average meth purity seized in Iowa has increased from an average of 27% purity in 

2001 to 54% purity in 2005. 

When the Iowa Legislature passed Senate File 169, Oklahoma and Arkansas already had similar 

legislation in affect. The following states have also made PSE a Schedule V Controlled 

Substance; Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and recently Illinois. The states of 

Nebraska, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee adopted similar, but less restrictive laws. North 

Dakota and South Dakota both passed laws placing single ingredient ephedrine/pseudoephedrine 

behind retail counters and enacted other purchase regulations. Both states have limited the 

amount of purchase per transaction. 
5

170

17

248 753

387 2,251

TOTAL CY 2005

CLANDESTINE LABORATORY

INCIDENTS

FOR MIDWEST HIDTA REGION

The Midwest HIDTA Program provides infrastructure support and resources to increase the 

capabilities of or establish federal, state, and local intelligence driven enforcement task forces, to 

impact regional and national drug markets. To achieve meaningful impact results, Midwest 

HIDTA initiatives need clear goals (the HIDTA Program Goals); recognition of the challenges 

faced (a Threat Assessment); a plan to get there (a Strategy with quantifiable performance 

targets); and a way to document achievements (an Annual Report). The controlling HIDTA 

mandate is embodied by the ONDCP National Program Mission Statement: 

National HIDTA 

Program Mission Statement 

The mission of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program is to 

disrupt the market for illegal drugs in the United States by assisting federal, state, and 

local law enforcement entities participating in the HIDTA program to dismantle and 

disrupt drug trafficking organizations, with particular emphasis on drug trafficking 

regions that have harmful effects on other parts of the United States. 

A basic tenant of the National Drug Control Strategy is that any market disruption leads to a 

potential reduction in the availability of drugs to consumers. One key to HIDTA effectiveness is 

federal, state and local collocated joint Intelligence Centers for information sharing. The 

initiatives of the Midwest HIDTA support the market identification and control strategy, which 
6

disrupts the illegal distribution market, and reduces the harmful consequences of drug 

trafficking. 

MIDWEST HIDTA 

Vision Statement 

The vision of the Midwest HIDTA is through cooperative efforts; improve the 

quality of life for our citizens by significantly reducing the harmful consequences 

of drug abuse in the Midwest region. In concert with the demand reduction 

community, supply reduction initiatives supported by HIDTA will disrupt drug 

markets by attacking trafficking organizations and significant targets. This 

disruption will measurably reduce drug production and drug trafficking. 

The HIDTA Program recognizes the importance of state and local law enforcement input into the 

regional enforcement strategy. The National Drug epidemic is in reality a network of related and 

unrelated regional and local drug abuse problems and the markets that supply them. A targeted 

strategy, implemented locally, produces greater immediate impact; while at the same time 

provides avenues for further investigation into national and international trafficking groups. 

Each designated region or HIDTA is different, with different problems, needs and resources. 

Funding to assist state and local law enforcement personnel to participate in these federal 

initiatives is critical to the success of advancing the Market Control Strategy. State and local 

agencies are facing critical revenue shortages from general funds. The loss or significant 

reduction of federal funding, through elimination of JAG (Byrne), COPS, or OJP funds, further 

strains the ability of HIDTA to sustain infrastructure to support federal, state, and local 

intelligence driven task forces. With limited federal resources in many areas of the Midwest, the 

need of federal agencies for state and local manpower is even greater to achieve national 

enforcement goals. HIDTA Program funds are used to build infrastructure for full time 

enforcement task forces. 

The HIDTA program has enjoyed wide acceptance by the heads of state and local law 

enforcement agencies for two important reasons. Under HIDTA, state and local leaders join with 

their federal counterparts as an equal partner to determine the direction of their individual 

HIDTAs, which provides a balanced approach to strategy development. There is no other 

cooperative endeavor of this magnitude in law enforcement today. Secondly, the HIDTA 

program has been able to project a degree of neutrality by its placement within ONDCP, which 

as an agency does not compete for valuable HIDTA resources. 

The many Interstate highway and public transportation routes crossing the Midwest show a 

significant amount of smuggling activity of illegal drugs into and through the area as well as cash 

being returned to importers located in Mexico or the Southwest Border. During CY 2005 

Interdiction initiatives were established in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota 

adding to the existing initiatives in Iowa and Missouri. During CY 2005, the Midwest HIDTA 

Investigative Support Center expanded a Midwest HIDTA Highway interdiction program 

documenting and sharing intelligence on significant seizures reported to the ISC. The majority of 

these seizures were along pre-identified major interstate corridors. 
7

These active interdiction efforts have resulted in significant drug removals and seizures, as well 

as establishing and identifying links to major Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) and CPOT 

investigations. Reality indicates that international trafficking occurs some distance away from 

the actual border. Significant resources are being placed at U.S. Borders to combat the entry of 

terrorists, illegal aliens, and Weapons of Mass Destruction. This effort is of utmost importance 

and needed. However, the emphasis on international sources of supply and the border is leaving 

a void in the detection of illegal narcotics moving through the interior of the country. Much of 

these drugs are being delivered to and through the Midwest HIDTA region. 

Midwest HIDTA 

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Midwest HIDTA is to reduce drug availability in critical and 

identified markets by creating and supporting intelligence driven enforcement 

task forces aimed at eliminating or reducing domestic drug trafficking. This 

mission is accomplished through enhancing and helping to coordinate drug 

trafficking control efforts among federal, state, and local enforcement agencies. 

Central to this mission is the expansion of cooperative, multi-jurisdictional law 

enforcement task forces, improvement in interagency collaboration, and the 

sharing of accurate and timely information and intelligence among participating 

agencies. 

Reporting Period: This Annual Report covers the reporting period January 1, 2005 to December 

31, 2005. 

Budget Allocation: During this reporting period, ONDCP allocated $12,516,550 for Midwest 

HIDTA operations. In addition, during FY 2005 the Midwest HIDTA received supplemental 

funds for specific projects at various locations in Midwest HIDTA. This supplemental funding 

included $150,000 for Accelerated Domestic Market Disruption (ADMD) in St. Louis, 

Missouri, $40,000 for Regional Drug Trafficking investigation by the DEA Wichita Task Force 

and $100,000 for the Jasper County Drug Task Force. $100,000 in supplemental FY 2005 funds 

provided to the Missouri Highway Patrol for targeting major traffickers utilizing interstate 

highways, traveling to and through HIDTA designated counties and worked by HIDTA 

Initiatives. In addition, Iowa Highway Patrol received $75,000 to target primary trafficking 

routes through Iowa, Kansas received $75,000, Nebraska received $50,000, South Dakota 

received $50,000 and North Dakota received $50,000 all to target primary drug trafficking routes 

as designated by the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) in conjunction with HIDTA task 

forces. 

Geographic Area of Responsibility: 

• Iowa- Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, Scott, Marshall, Black Hawk, Appaloosa, 

Woodbury and Linn counties. 

• Kansas- Cherokee, Crawford, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Saline, Seward, Barton, 

Sedgwick, Finney, Shawnee, Miami, Franklin, and Wyandotte counties. 
8

• Missouri- Cape Girardeau, Christian, 

Clay, Jackson, Lafayette, Lawrence, 

Ray, Scott, St. Charles, Greene, 

Benton, Buchanan, Jasper, Texas, 

Platte, Marion, and St. Louis 

counties. 

• Nebraska-Dakota, Dawson, Douglas, 

Hall, Lancaster, Sarpy, Madison, 

Dodge, Gage, Jefferson, Platte, and 

Scott’s Bluff counties. 

• South Dakota- Clay, Codington, 

Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, 

Lincoln, Meade, Minnehaha, 

Pennington, Union, Brown, 

Brookings, Beadle, and Yankton 

counties. 

• North Dakota- Burleigh, Cass, Grand 

Forks, Morton, Ramsey, Richland, 

Walsh, and Ward counties. 

III. NATIONAL HIDTA GOALS 

HIDTAs nationally have two specific goals to achieve which guide all HIDTA initiatives and 

activities. The Midwest HIDTA has developed an individual strategy to meet Midwest regional 

drug threats and in conjunction with national objectives: 

NATIONAL HIDTA GOALS 

Goal 1: Disrupt the market for illegal drugs by dismantling 

or disrupting drug trafficking and/or money laundering 

organizations; and

Goal 2: Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of 

HIDTA initiatives. 

The National HIDTA Program Goals are target objectives, which Midwest HIDTA Initiatives 

strive to achieve and form the basis for performance and outcome measurements. Each initiative 

funding request must present programmatic and fiscal justification that is based on its impact on 

the regionally implemented Threat Assessments. Each initiative must articulate how they address 

the threat and demonstrate through the performance measurement program how initiative 

funding has assisted Midwest HIDTA to meet its desired outcome. 

The Midwest HIDTA Executive Board is involved in all aspects of strategy and policy 

development and systematically and routinely reviews the operational efforts through a 

coordination and management subsystem to meet the Midwest HIDTA Goals. 
9

IV. SUMMARY OF THREAT ASSESSMENT FOR BUDGET YEAR 2005 

During CY 2005, the Midwest HIDTA supported forty drug enforcement task forces and fortyeight initiatives in seventy-four HIDTA designated counties. Additionally, a four-county threat 

assessment was prepared for Franklin, Cole, Boone and Jefferson counties in Missouri and 

submitted to ONDCP for consideration of HIDTA designation. During CY 2005 Midwest 

HIDTA supported task forces and initiatives effectively used HIDTA program resources to 

investigate a growing number of organizations that posed significant threats to communities 

throughout our region. The Midwest HIDTA region continues to provide a fertile environment 

for the importation, manufacture and distribution of narcotics. 

The threat outlook for the Midwest HIDTA can best be discussed by focusing on two distinct 

areas, urban and rural. The most significant problem in the urban areas of the Midwest HIDTA 

continues to be crack cocaine and the violence related to its distribution and use. The larger 

urban areas of St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha continue as national highway transportation 

hubs for the trafficking and distribution of narcotics. Mexican drug trafficking organizations 

continue to dominate the wholesale transportation and distribution of imported 

methamphetamine and other illicit drugs. New laws affecting the availability of pseudoephedrine are expected to compound the problem as locally produced methamphetamine 

declines. The Mexican drug trafficking organizations use traditional transportation routes and 

concealment techniques along with other new and creative methods to deliver their product. 

An example of the threat to the Midwest HIDTA area and the cooperation between local, state, 

and federal agencies was illustrated when The Internal Revenue Service; Kansas City, Kansas 

Police Department; Kansas City, Missouri Police Department; Bureau of Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Overland Park Police Department; and 

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a complex financial investigation on a local 

trafficking organization. The investigation identified significant assets and tracked proceeds back 

to Mexico. Over a 31-month period, this organization made $14,530,000 in gross sales. This 

figure includes $11,760,000 in marijuana sales in addition to $4,300,000 in cocaine sales. 

$1,545,000 in shipments and currency was seized by law enforcement. 

Drugs such as MDMA, Heroin, PCP, GHB, Psilocybin mushrooms, and “other” drugs were 

available within the region and are expected to continue to pose a threat. As the popularity of

these drugs continue to pose a threat throughout the Midwest, law enforcement will face a 

growing challenge to effectively deal with this problem. Sharing of criminal information and 

intelligence in a timely fashion will be critical to the successful disruption and/or displacement of 

Drug Trafficking Organizations. 

The Midwest HIDTA continues to focus and further refine threat areas to maximize enforcement 

activities and expected impacts. For CY 2005 these areas of primary and secondary threat have 

been defined. 

Primary Markets Identified: St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and greater SMA. Kansas City,

Missouri and Kansas, and the greater SMA. Omaha, Nebraska and the greater SMA; Des 

Moines, Iowa, and the greater SMA, (including Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Clandestine 

methamphetamine manufacturing hotspots occurring within designated areas. 

Secondary Markets Identified: Springfield, Missouri and I-44 importation corridor; Wichita, 
10

Kansas and Garden City, Kansas and I-35, I-70 importation corridor; Lincoln, and Grand Island, 

Nebraska and the I-80 importation corridor; Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the 

I-29 importation corridor; Rapid City, South Dakota and the I-90 importation corridor; Fargo, 

North Dakota, SMA and I-29 to Canadian Border importation area. 

V. HIDTA STRATEGY SUMMARY 

A summary of the Midwest HIDTA 2005 Strategy is provided below for informational purposes, 

full details of this strategy can be found in The Midwest HIDTA 2005 Strategy.

A balanced partnership approach produces a regional threat assessment that has documented a 

need to commit personnel and resources to mutual drug control efforts. Midwest HIDTA 

region’s position in the “Heart of America” places it in a unique environment for production, 

cultivation, and distribution of illegal narcotics that is either produced locally or imported by 

organizations primarily located in the Southwest Border region. During 2005, Midwest HIDTA 

had 48 Initiatives including 35 task forces to support its strategy. Midwest HIDTA also had 

support initiatives to include forensic lab initiative, prosecution initiative, as well as management 

and coordination initiative in the Office of Director. Midwest HIDTA also has a Technology 

initiative for connectivity as well as an Intelligence initiative centered by the Investigative 

Support Center (ISC).

The Midwest HIDTA Executive Board, through formed advisory committees and in conjunction 

with participating agencies, has identified primary and secondary threats, determined mission, 

and developed enforcement strategies and initiatives to implement the mission of the HIDTA 

Program. The Executive Board and the Midwest HIDTA Director, in cooperation with other 

subcommittees, coordinate the integration and synchronization of all participating agencies’ 

initiatives to ensure a unified effort in achieving the mission of the Midwest HIDTA. The 

Midwest HIDTA also maintains a working relationship with other governmental and nongovernmental programs addressing drug abuse issues. The Office of the Director, as the primary 

management and coordination initiative of the Midwest HIDTA is collocated with the 

Investigative Support Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Director’s field program staff assists and 

provides coordination support to regional task forces and HIDTA initiatives. Their offices are 

located within donated office space in five of the six states involved in the Midwest HIDTA 

Program. 

The Midwest HIDTA Executive Board is composed of representatives from twelve federal and 

twelve state and local enforcement agencies. The Board, selected by their peers according to 

guidance from ONDCP, is currently chaired by the Director, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal 

Investigation, with the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, St. 

Louis Field Division serving as the vice-chair. The Executive Board provides oversight, policy 

guidance, review and approval of all initiatives and budgets submitted to ONDCP. The HIDTA 

Directors staff provides day-to-day program and administrative management and serves as a 

conduit to the participating agencies for directives, policy, and related administrative information 

required by ONDCP and the Midwest HIDTA Executive Board. 

The Midwest HIDTA staff provides day-to-day oversight to the HIDTA program through its 

review process. In addition to reviewing every state and local reimbursement request, on site 

contacts with the task forces and fiduciaries are on going. This includes review of expenditures 

and the tracking of inventory. In addition, the ONDCP outside auditor KPMG Accounting firm 
11

visited the Iowa Forensic Lab initiative, Iowa DPS regarding the intelligence analyst position and 

the Muscatine Police Department and reported no findings in the fiscal administration of funds 

expended in the respective initiatives. 

The Midwest HIDTA has developed a cohesive and comprehensive regional program. Initiatives 

focus on reducing and disrupting the importation, distribution, and manufacturing of illegal 

narcotics. Additionally, the Midwest HIDTA strives to enhance the public awareness of the 

social, economic and environmental dangers of drug abuse, improve the systematic sharing of 

intelligence and increase officer safety as it relates to the investigation of clandestine 

laboratories. Midwest HIDTA initiatives were organized into and support five counter-drug 

subsystems, with each subsystem integral to the success of the Midwest HIDTA. These 

subsystems are identified as follows along with examples of the results achieved by Midwest 

HIDTA Initiatives during 2005. 

1. Intelligence Subsystem 

The Midwest HIDTA was instrumental in the development of the National Virtual Pointer 

System. The National Virtual Pointer System continues to expand and improve. The system 

went active on June 29, 2004. The Midwest HIDTA during CY 2005 received over 104,000 

requests and responded with 4,486 positive responses sent. Success stories regarding agency 

notifications of separate investigations with the same targets continue. Through the NVPS 

system valuable contacts between separate agencies or task forces took place enabling detectives 

and agents to share valuable intelligence regarding ongoing investigations. What began as a 

small beta test has evolved into a National Project supported by DOJ and ONDCP. Participating 

agencies, task forces and HIDTAs continue to join this Virtual Pointer system making law 

enforcement more efficient and effective. 

2. Investigative Subsystem 

9,219 individuals were arrested for drug violations by Midwest HIDTA initiative task forces 

during CY 2005. Task forces seized 1,684 firearms during the course of these investigations, an 

increase of 12% over CY 2004 firearm seizures. HIDTA Task forces seized 508 pounds (231 

kilograms) of methamphetamine and 167 pounds (76 kilograms) of methamphetamine ICE 

Drugs Removed From the Market Place CY 2005

(Based on Pounds Seized) 

Heroin

1%

Other

15%

Cocaine

9%

Marijuana

74%

Methamphetamine

1%

Heroin

Cocaine

Marijuana

Methamphetamine

Other
12

during CY 2005. 6,756 pounds (3,071 kilograms) of cocaine was seized by HIDTA Initiatives 

during CY 2005, an increase of 165% for CY 2005 due to the addition of State highway 

interdiction efforts in MO, IA, and KS.

Task Forces identified 259 new Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) during CY 2005, 133 

were local DTOs, 116 DTOs designated as multi-state, 14 designated CPOT investigations and 

10 International DTOs identified. During CY 2005, 132 DTOs were disrupted and 42 DTOs 

were dismantled. 59 DTO investigations during CY 2005 were designated as OCDETF cases. 

3. Forensic Lab Enhancement Subsystem 

During CY 2005, forty thousand drug exhibits and cases were submitted to federal, state, and 

local forensic laboratories receiving HIDTA assistance. Over one-hundred and twelve thousand 

drug samples were tested by the laboratories, with significant aid rendered to task forces and 

prosecutors based on reduced turn around time for exhibit analysis. 

4. Prosecution Subsystem 

Federal defendants charged with drug violations for the six state region totaled 2,497 by the 

8 federal Districts within Midwest HIDTA. Of these 1,388 individuals were charged with 

methamphetamine offenses. Of the 2,497 individuals charged during CY 2005, 694 were result 

of OCDETF investigations. Federal drug convictions totaled 2,839 a 10% increase from CY 

2004 convictions. There were 6,279 state drug prosecutions as a result of HIDTA task force 

investigations. 

5. Demand Reduction Subsystem 

During CY 2005, Midwest HIDTA distributed 290,000 pieces of Drug Demand Reduction and 

Education material to law enforcement and government agencies through its partnership with the 

Fulfillment House. To date, Midwest HIDTA has distributed approximately 2.3 million pieces of 

Drug Demand Reduction and Education materials and an additional 6.7 million drug demand 

reduction door hangers. 

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

TOTAL NUMBERS

Defendants

OCDETF

Meth Related

Total Drug Convictions

PROSECUTION SUBSYSTEM

Federal District Wide

(8 Districts for CY 2005)

2002

2003

2004

2005
13

The Midwest HIDTA has developed a cohesive, comprehensive program to accomplish the core 

measures of the HIDTA Program: reducing drug availability in identified markets, reducing the 

harmful consequences of drug trafficking, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of law 

enforcement organizations within HIDTA. 

VI. HIDTA Performance Measures 

The Office of National Drug Control Policy has highlighted the need to establish performance 

milestones and measurable goals, output and outcome measures appropriate for program 

evaluation progress and a process for collecting and reporting data. The Midwest HIDTA is 

committed to demonstrate effective performance by developing and achieving meaningful, 

outcome oriented, performance targets. The importance of developing a performance monitoring 

system is hampered by the realization that limited data sources are available to measure the 

relationship between drugs and crime, or to measure law enforcement’s impact on drug 

trafficking. Outcomes are the results of program outputs or products that signify progress toward 

program goals. Outcomes are usually expressed as an intended change, such as a better-trained 

officer, or more efficient and effective investigation capability, or disruption of a drug trafficking 

organization. Impacts are long-term outcomes, and are the broader, indirect effects of policies 

and programs. Impacts also may be reflected in measures external to the program, and require a 

rigorous evaluation before establishing a cause and effect relationship between a program and its 

impact. The National Drug Control Strategy documents and identifies the HIDTA Programs 

goal to impact the availability of drugs in identified illicit markets and disrupt the activity of 

priority trafficking organizations, as the expected impact of the HIDTA Program. 

A. Performance Measures for Goal 1

Table 1 – Percentage of DTOs and MLOs Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005 
14

Table 2 - Percentage of DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope, 2005 

Table 3 – Percentage of Money Laundering Organizations 

Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope, 2005 

Table 4 – Operational Scope of All DTO and MLO cases initiated 2005 

Table 4 reflects the activities of the OCDETF Program in 2005 pertaining to HIDTA designated 

task force investigations. Through the efforts of the Midwest HIDTA task forces significant 

arrests and seizures occurred during CY 2005 by vigorously investigating identified 

organizations. 
15

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Total

Arrests

Possession

Trafficking

Manufacturing

Total Arrests 

By Midwest HIDTA Task Forces

CY 2002 - CY 2003 - CY 2004 - CY 2005

2002 2003 2004 2005

There were also 17 arrests for money laundering violations by Midwest HIDTA task forces. All 

Midwest HIDTA task forces made a total of 9,219 arrests during CY 2005. The inherent violent 

nature of drug trafficking is evident in the 1,684 firearms seized by Midwest HIDTA task forces 

during CY 2005. 

Investigative Case Examples

The Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force serves a population base of approximately 250,000 to 

300,000 in and surrounding the Sioux Falls metropolitan area and is part of Midwest HIDTA. 

The task force is collocated within the Sioux Falls Police Department, the lead agency. 

During early June of 2004, the Sioux Falls Police Patrol Division arrested an individual who was 

in possession of 1⁄2 gram of cocaine. This individual decided to cooperate and became a 

confidential informant. A series of buys followed as well as obtaining telephone tolls, 

surveillances, and interviews with several user level customers. In late summer and early fall of 

2004, a final buy was attempted and surveillance identified a storage locker that served as the 

stash location. Over 1 pound of cocaine and 30 lbs. of marijuana was seized. As a result of the 

stash owner’s cooperation and a Federal proffer, the investigation continued to two high level 

distributors in the Laredo, Texas and North Carolina area. An OCDETF case was opened 

(TEXKOTA) on this group. Two individuals were eventually arrested in early 2005, and wound 

up cooperating with Task Force Agents that led to the main supplier out of Laredo, Texas. The 

supplier is linked to a crime family (C-POT) operating in Texas and Mexico. After agents from 

the Task Force traveled to Laredo, the supplier and a close associate were arrested and were 

booked into the Minnehaha, County Jail in June of 2005. 

Several spin-off cases were also developed as a result of this investigation including; a person, 

who had been distributing cocaine and methamphetamine in the Sioux Falls area for the past 

number of years and; another individual, who was a major crack cocaine dealer in the Sioux 

Falls area. The two individuals produced the crack from the cocaine hydrochloride obtained 

from the local Mexican supplier and his associates. All of the above individuals have been or are 

being prosecuted through the US Attorney’s Office in Sioux Falls. The group was responsible 
16

for distributing 10-15 kilograms of cocaine and nearly 100 pounds of marijuana in the Sioux 

Falls area during the short time they were operating there. 

On April 18, 2005, the Bismarck Metro Area Narcotics Task Force (MANTF) signed up a 

confidential informant (Informant #1), that had ties to local powder cocaine circles. This 

informant was forwarded to the MANTF by the North Dakota Highway Patrol and worked with 

the MANTF on a Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol charge. 

Informant #1 was used on two separate incidents to purchase powder cocaine from Informant 

#1’s supplier. This individual was identified as an individual that deals in ounces of powder 

cocaine. The drug transactions took place on April 18, 2005, and on April 20, 2005. These deals 

allowed the MANTF to obtain a search warrant for a drug storage house and led to the 

apprehension of two other individuals that dealt in cocaine and prescription drugs. 

The MANTF then met with Informant #1’s supplier and signed up this individual (Informant #2), 

as a confidential informant. The MANTF then contacted city, county and federal law 

enforcement agencies and requested their assistance with the investigation. A Drug Trafficking 

Organization (DTO) was identified and a joint law-enforcement operation began. 

The MANTF then used Informant #2 on two separate incidents to purchase powder cocaine from 

Informant #2’s supplier. This supplier was identified as an individual that deals in pounds of 

powder cocaine that comes out of the Tacoma, Washington area. These drug transactions took 

place on May 5, 2005, and on May 9, 2005. 

With these controlled drug transactions and information from Informant #2, the MANTF 

obtained and executed a drug search warrant on Informant #2’s supplier, on May 11, 2005. The 

search warrant positively identified the main supplier in the area and led to the seizure of powder 

cocaine, U.S. currency, handguns, and property. 

On May 12, 2005, the MANTF continued follow-up interviews with Informant #2’s supplier. 

These interviews led to signing up the supplier (Informant #3) as a confidential informant, and 

the release of drug monies that Informant #3 had stashed in a cold storage unit inside a vehicle. 

Informant #3 released an additional $184,130.00 in drug proceed monies to the MANTF. 

Informant #3 was then used to arrange a buy/bust scenario for powder cocaine with Informant 

#3’s supplier. This individual was identified as an individual that deals in kilograms of cocaine, 

and lives in Tacoma, Washington. The controlled drug transaction took place on June 10, 2005, 

and led to the apprehension of two trafficking suspects and the seizure of 993.88 grams of 

powder cocaine. The two apprehended traffickers were interviewed by MANTF and DEA 

agents. The interviews led to the identification and targeting of numerous drug connections that 

deal in both cocaine and heroin in the Tacoma, Washington area. 

In October 2004, the DEA Des Moines HIDTA Task Force opened an investigation entitled 

Operation Storage Locker targeting a large-scale poly-drug organization distributing cocaine, 

methamphetamine and marijuana in and around the Des Moines, Iowa, metropolitan area. While 

poly-drug in nature, the majority of the trafficking involved the importation of powder cocaine to 

Iowa by Mexican Nationals, which was then converted to crack cocaine by a primarily African 

American, controlled organization for distribution in Des Moines. Through a series of 

undercover purchases, the pooling of intelligence and investigative efforts, Title III Intercepts 

were initiated on 5 telephones of key organization members in Des Moines. 
17

In coordination with DEA Headquarters Special Operations Division (SOD) and the sharing of 

information by the DEA Des Moines HIDTA Task Force with other participating DEA offices, 

Operation Storage Locker became an integral part of a world wide DEA SOD OCDETF Priority 

Target Organization investigation entitled Operation Three Hour Tour. 

On August 18 and 19, 2005, take downs were conducted in Des Moines, Iowa, involving 

approximately 175 law enforcement officers in coordination with simultaneous enforcement 

operations in Colombia, Los Angeles, California, New York, and New Haven, Connecticut. 

Operation Storage Locker since its inception has resulted in the arrest of 48 individuals. Seizure 

totals associated with the dismantling of this organization include approximately 40 pounds of 

methamphetamine, 4 kilograms of powder cocaine, 10 ounces of crack cocaine, 105 pounds of 

marijuana, $997,000.00 US currency, 14 vehicles and 10 handguns. 

As a result of coordinated efforts, Operations Three Hour Tour and Storage Locker have resulted 

in the arrest of 162 suspects and the seizure of $6,004,707.00 US currency, 3,550 pounds of 

cocaine, 155 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 pounds of heroin, 10,000 dosage units of MDMA 

(ecstasy), 10 ounces of crack cocaine, 216 pounds of marijuana, 60 vehicles and 66 firearms. 

These investigations resulted in the simultaneous dismantlement of three major transportation 

cells/groups and 27 distribution cells/groups involved in poly-drug trafficking throughout the 

United States. These drug trafficking groups have been responsible for distributing millions of 

dollars worth of dangerous drugs and smuggling these profits out of the United States. This 

investigation received national and international attention and was highlighted by DEA 

Administrator Karen Tandy as a major success during an Attorney General press conference 

reference the U.S. Government's Methamphetamine Initiative on August 30, 2005. 

Operation Storage Locker was worked jointly by the DEA Des Moines HIDTA Task Force, the 

Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), the Mid Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task 

Force (MINE), the Des Moines Police Department (DMPD), the 18 County Clan Lab Task 

Force, the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Iowa, and the Polk County 

Attorneys Office. 
18

Table 5 - Drugs Removed from the Marketplace, 2005 

Midwest HIDTA task forces had a significant amount of drug removals and seizures during CY 

2005. Interestingly, even though methamphetamine continues to be a significant area of focus 

during CY 2005, Midwest HIDTA task forces seized over three tons of cocaine during the year. 

A great deal of these significant removals and drug seizures are the result of the increased effort 

of law enforcement interdiction on identified drug trafficking routes crossing the Midwest 

HIDTA region. 

* Drug wholesale prices based on National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) National Illicit 

Drug Prices December 2005 Product No. 2006-L0424-005. 
19

Table 6 - Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace 

by Law Enforcement Initiatives, 2005 

Table 7 - Return on Investment (ROI) for Assets Removed from the Marketplace 

by Law Enforcement Initiatives, 2005 

An example of Midwest HIDTA task forces ability to remove drugs and assets from the market 

place is as follows: 

The Kansas City Interdiction Task Force (KCITF) is a DEA led, multi-agency task force that 

targets drug trafficking organizations utilizing private or commercial modes of transportation, 

shipping or Hotels and Motels to facilitate the delivery of drugs or proceeds. The interception of 

drug and money couriers directly impacts Drug Trafficking Organizations operating in Kansas 

City and throughout the nation. 

During the period of January 1, 2005 through September 1, 2005, the KCITF initiated 68 cases, 

reported 125 arrests, obtained high conviction rates and seized $2,085,241.00 in assets. During 

that same time, the KCITF achieved the following drug removals: 422 kilograms (kg) cocaine, 

4,152 kg marijuana, 39 kg methamphetamine, five kg of Heroin, 10 liters of PCP and 3,000 

dosage units of MDMA. The KCITF conducted seven controlled delivery operations to the 

following cities: Fargo, Chicago, Raleigh, Cleveland, Indianapolis and two to Detroit. The 

KCITF received eight controlled delivery operations into Kansas City from various federal, state 

and local agencies. 
20

Derivative Case Example 

On February 3, 2005, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a van occupied by male and 

female on I-70 near Hays, Kansas, for a traffic violation. A subsequent consensual search of 

their van yielded 166 kg of cocaine hidden inside commercial grade speaker boxes. The KCITF 

debriefed the male suspect, who admitted he was to deliver the cocaine to Romeoville, Illinois. 

He further identified a second cocaine-laden van headed to a Ramada Inn near the Newark 

Airport. Through coordination with the DEA Special Operations, the Grand Junction Resident 

Office and the New Jersey Division, the load driver was located in Newark and the New Jersey 

Division agents recovered an additional 140 kg of cocaine. The third defendant also cooperated 

and three additional suspects were arrested as they took possession of second load van. 

Simultaneously, KCITF agents drove the first two defendants, 166 kg of cocaine and the van to 

Chicago, arriving on February 4, 2005. DEA Chicago executed the controlled delivery in 

Romeoville and arrested the seventh subject, who claimed his Uncle was driving a third van 

containing bulk currency to his house in Las Vegas. Chicago agents contacted DEA Las Vegas 

who later observed the Uncle as he arrived at his residence in a van; they arrested suspect 

number eight and seized $2,400,000. 

KCITF agents also provided the Los Angeles Division with directions to a Sherman Oaks 

residence where first defendant claimed to have previously collected cocaine. On February 5, 

2005, Los Angeles agents executed a search warrant at the Sherman Oaks residence and 

recovered drug ledgers, money counters and arrested two more suspects, including the registered 

owner of the load van in Las Vegas. The Newark Division subsequently initiated three Title III 

cellular intercepts with funding and coordination with DEA Special Operations Division. 

The combined efforts of the Kansas Highway Patrol and six DEA offices culminated in the 

arrests of 10 suspects, the seizures of 308 kg of cocaine and $2.4 million in cash. These actions 

created a significant disruption to a now documented Drug Trafficking Organization. 

Table 8 - Total Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs and Assets Removed from the 

Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives, 2005 

Midwest HIDTA task forces were extremely effective in removing drugs and assets from the 

marketplace. 
21

Table 9 - Prosecution Outputs and Outcomes, 2005 

The Midwest HIDTA Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) Initiative is designed to 

enhance the resources of these U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to ensure that additional trafficking cases 

are aggressively prosecuted at the federal level. Many of the Midwest HIDTA funded SAUSAs 

are cross-designated to assist state prosecutors in their area. Additionally, the SAUSAs 

specializing in methamphetamine cases will be able to follow trends in distribution, 

manufacturing, precursor chemicals, organizations and legislation impacting illegal drug use 

resulting in more efficient investigations and prosecutions. 

Of the 2,497 individuals indicted for drug offenses during CY 2005 in the eight Federal Districts, 

1,411 were the direct result of HIDTA task forces. Over 57% of the drug indictments of the 8 

federal judicial districts in Midwest HIDTA are the result of Midwest HIDTA task force 

investigations. During CY 2005, 2,839 individuals were convicted in the eight Federal Districts 

comprising Midwest HIDTA. 1,673 of those individuals convicted of drug offenses in the eight 

Federal Districts were the result of investigations by HIDTA task forces. 

Table 10 - Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled in 2005, by Size 
22

Midwest HIDTA agencies continue to deal with the effects of methamphetamine abuse as well as 

the physical and environmental aspects of clandestine laboratories operating in the region. 

Although there are occasional super labs operating in the area of Midwest HIDTA, the 

predominant labs encountered are small addict related labs. These small labs do not produce 

significant amounts of methamphetamine at each cook, but create enormous problems for law 

enforcement, child welfare agencies and the environment. All six states in the Midwest HIDTA 

region have active Retail Watch programs to identify and prosecute those individuals purchasing 

ingredients to include pseudoephedrine for the purpose of methamphetamine production. All of 

the States now have legislation to make medicines containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine 

more restrictive. 

Table 11- Clandestine Labs 2005 

Table 11 illustrates the significant numbers of dumpsites and chemical glassware incidents in 

Midwest HIDTA region. These sites pose significant health hazards as well as environmental 

damage to the Midwest HIDTA region. The creation of the Clandestine Laboratory Seizure 

System (CLSS) has significantly improved not only the reporting of these sites but the 

intelligence gathered concerning serial offenders. 
23

Performance Measures for Goal 2 

Table 12 – Midwest HIDTA Training Efficiency by Type 2005 

Midwest HIDTA recognizes the importance and necessity of training to improve effectiveness, 

efficiency and the safety of participating law enforcement officers. Although not a training 

provider, Midwest HIDTA is active in partnering, co-sponsoring and facilitating training with 

national and regional training providers and centers. As indicated in the chart above a great deal 

of training was provided with a relatively small amount of funding due to leveraging of existing 

partnerships. 

Table 13 - Percentage of HIDTA Initiatives Using Event and Case 

Deconfliction Services, 2005 
24

Table 14 - Percentage of Event and Case Deconfliction Submitted, 2005 

The chart below illustrates the sustained growth of deconfliction efforts in the Midwest HIDTA 

region. 

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

Number 

of

Submissions

Targets

Events

Event and Target Deconflictions

For Midwest HIDTA

CY 2002

CY 2003

CY 2004

CY 2005

In 2005, 872 users across 147 different locations are connected to HIDTA resources via 

HIDTA.Net (utilizing the Riss.Net) an increase of 11% over CY 2004 users total of 784, and an 

increase of over 6% in remote locations having access to HIDTA.Net compared to the 138 

locations in CY 2004. 

The Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center (MHISC) is a key mechanism to implement 

these system improvements. The MHISC, managed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, 

and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, is a multi-agency intelligence task force 

consisting of federal, state, and local agencies. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the MHISC is 

electronically linked via HIDTA.net to all Midwest HIDTA enforcement task forces and 

participating agencies, and to HIDTA Program intelligence initiatives. The MHISC collects and 

analyzes information from all Midwest HIDTA task forces and other participating task forces 
25

and agencies. The MHISC provides event and subject deconfliction, multi-source name checks, 

post seizure analysis, investigative case support, toll analysis, charting, and trend analysis. 

The MHISC also provides continual data collection and evaluation of the drug threat to the 

region. By improving the exchange of intelligence and information through more efficient 

coordination and communications, the MHISC enhances the ability of federal, state, and local 

law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute key members of narcotic trafficking 

and manufacturing organizations. Trend and predictive analysis developed by the MHISC 

assists the Midwest HIDTA in utilizing its limited resources more efficiently. 

The MHISC coordinates and utilizes three separate initiatives to enhance and implement the 

intelligence subsystem. The first is the FBI CIU/Terrorism Squad 3 in Kansas City. The CIU 

consists of representatives from various local, state and federal agencies within the Kansas City 

area. The group collects and analyzes information regarding Drug Trafficking Organizations 

(DTOs) and disseminates this information to the MHISC for sharing with other law enforcement 

agencies. The FBI Criminal Intelligence Group is collocated within the ISC facility and has 

expanded its mission to provide interface and activity into terrorism and Homeland Security. The 

FBI Criminal Intelligence Group holds quarterly meetings in Western Missouri and Kansas for 

intelligence sharing. The second activity supporting the MHISC is the Bureau of ATF Regional 

Intelligence Group, which is also collocated within the MHISC facility. This group provides 

intelligence support and assistance within the Kansas City Division area of Missouri, Kansas, 

Nebraska, and Iowa. This collocation enhances the coordination of intelligence relating to 

firearms, gun tracing, domestic terrorism, and violent drug trafficking offenders. During CY 

2005, 5,078 gun traces were conducted by the ATF group for law enforcement in the Midwest 

HIDTA region. The third integrated initiative is the DEA St. Louis Intelligence Group. This 

initiative assists in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating information to the St. Louis DEA 

regional enforcement area. While physically located in St. Louis, the initiative is electronically 

connected via firebird, and HIDTA.net to facilitate exchange of information and intelligence 

products. The initiative primarily focuses on both domestic and international intelligence 

support to DEA led Midwest HIDTA task forces. The initiative also addresses DTO-CPOT 

intelligence issues in the St. Louis DEA geographic region. 

Midwest HIDTA, since its inception has recognized the need of deconfliction efforts to not only 

provide needed officer safety safeguards, but to provide the basic sharing of intelligence through 

a viable pointer system. 100 % of the 40 Midwest HIDTA task forces participated in Midwest 

HIDTA deconfliction system. The primary method is through SafeTnet for both targets and event 

deconfliction with some participating in target deconfliction through other systems connecting to 

the National Virtual Pointer System (NVPS). In addition, 81 separate law enforcement agencies 

or units also utilized SafeTnet for deconfliction totaling 18,589 separate events or targets being 

placed into SafeTnet. Once the names are placed in the target portion of SafeTnet they are 

automatically checked against other systems through the (NVPS). 
26

Table 15 - Percentage of Investigations Provided Analytical Support, 2005 

The MHISC requests for case support totaled 456 with an additional 432 requests made to the 

Watch Center. Investigative Support Center analysts prepared 134 charts and graphs during CY 

2005 for HIDTA task forces. 46 requests for document analysis were processed by the MHISC. 

Toll analysis requests totaled 516 during CY 2005. A total of 1,003 work products were 

disseminated to law enforcement during CY 2005 by the MHISC. 

Midwest HIDTA task forces initiated over 13,900 investigations during CY 2005. A significant 

amount of these cases were referred to the Midwest HIDTA ISC for analytical support. 

VII. CONCLUSIONS 

The Midwest HIDTA has developed a cohesive and comprehensive program to accomplish the 

core measures of the HIDTA Program combining regional and state specific initiatives to reduce 

drug availability in the designated threat area. By taking a regional coordinated approach to 

implementation of the National Drug Control Strategy, the enforcement problems of target 

displacement and cross-jurisdictional investigations is diminished. The HIDTA Program allows 

law enforcement to increase enforcement activities, provide focus to regional problems, and 

facilitate cooperation between criminal justice agencies. In implementing the National Drug 

Control Strategy, the Whitehouse Drug Policy Office, (ONDCP), has established the National 

Priorities of: 

1. Stopping Use before it Starts: Education and Community Action. 

2. Healing America’s Drug Users: Getting treatment resources where they are needed. 

3. Disrupting the Market: Attacking the economic basis of the drug trade. 

Within the National goals and priorities the Office of State and Local Affairs has established and 

identified HIDTAs primary program goals as: 

1. Reducing the availability of drugs in identified markets by eliminating or disrupting 

drug trafficking organizations. 

2. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement organizations and their 

efforts within the HIDTA. 
27

To this end the Midwest HIDTA has identified primary and secondary threats, desired initiative 

outputs and activities, and expected or desired program outcomes. The Midwest HIDTA is a 

locally managed, regional impact program tied to accomplishing a national mission. 

Identified and ever changing Threats will challenge the Midwest HIDTA program during CY 

2006 and into CY 2007 as we implement the enforcement strategy within tight fiscal 

environment and ever increasing costs. 
28

VIII. Appendices 

A. Table of Organization for the HIDTA. 

B. Table listing composition of Executive Board showing local, state and federal affiliation. 

C. List of participating agencies. 

D. HIDTA Initiatives 

IX. List of Tables and Charts 

Table 1 - Percentage of DTOs and MLOs Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005.................................. 13 

Table 2 - Percentage of DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope, 2005 .................................... 14 

Table 3 - Percentage of Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope, 

2005....................................................................................................................................... 14 

Table 4 - Operational Scope of All DTO and MLO cases initiated 2005..................................... 14 

Table 5 - Drugs Removed from the Marketplace, 2005 ............................................................... 18 

Table 6 - Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace by Law 

Enforcement Initiatives, 2005............................................................................................... 19 

Table 7 - Return on Investment (ROI) for Assets Removed from the Marketplace by Law 

Enforcement Initiatives, 2005............................................................................................... 19 

Table 8 - Total Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs and Assests Removed from the 

Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives, 2005............................................................. 20 

Table 9 - Prosecution Outputs and Outcomes, 2005..................................................................... 21 

Table 10 - Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled in 2005, by Size ............. 21 

Table 11 – Clandestine Labs 2005................................................................................................ 22 

Table 12 - Midwest HIDTA Training Efficiency by Type 2005.................................................. 23 

Table 13 - Percentage of HIDTA Initiatives Using Event and Case Deconfliction Services, 2005

............................................................................................................................................... 23 

Table 14 - Percentage of Event and Case Deconfliction Submitted, 2005................................... 24 

Table 15 - Percentage of Investigations Provided Analytical Support, 2005............................... 26 
MIDWEST HIDTA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

ONDCP

MIDWEST HIDTA

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Intellig

Investig

C

Iowa

Advisory

Committee

Task Forces

DEA / Des Moines

 Sioux City DEA

Tri-State TF

Muscatine TF

Kansas

Advisory

Committee

Missouri

Advisory

Committee

Nebraska

Advisory

Committee

South Dakota

Advisory

Committee

North Dakota

Advisory

Committee

Task Forces

Garden City

Southeast Kansas

KBI Great Bend

Task Forces

St. Charles

SEMO TF

South Central

Springfield DEA

St. Louis FBI

MOSHP

Interdiction

Task Forces

Tri City

WING

III Corp

Omaha Metro

Lincoln/

Lancaster

Task Forces

Sioux Falls

 Pennington

County

Task Forces

Grand Forks

DEA Fargo

HIDTA Bismarck

DEA 

Kans

Indep

Kansa

Jackso

Missouri 

Kansas 

US Attorney Iowa - Southern/Northern

US Attorney District of Kansas

US Attorney Missouri - Eastern/Western

US Attorney District of Nebraska

US Attorney District of North Dakota

Prosecution Subsystem

 Demand Reduction

DEA/Cedar Rapids

ATF 

St. Louis DEA #32

St. Louis County

FBI C

St. Louis Violent

Traffickers

St. Louis Intel

Group

St. Louis MI

Group

Kansas City

Metro TF

Kansas City DEA

Interdiction

St. Louis DEA FIT

St. Louis

Interdiction

NDHP Interdiction

SDHP Interdiction

Reg

In

NSP Interdiction

ISP Interdiction

KC - OP / DEA

Wichita DEA

KSHP Interdiction

Jasper County

Drug TF

29 
Midwest HIDTA

Executive Board

Systems Support Unit

HIDTA Director

Administrative

Officer

Deputy Director

Financial Manager Information Systems Manager Demand Reduction & Planning Coordinator

Program 

Intelligence

Committee

Fiscal

Planning

Committee

30 
Appendix B 

31 

Midwest HIDTA 

Executive Board 

Chair: Vice Chair: 

Jerry Kemmet Preston Grubbs

Director Special Agent in Charge 

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Drug Enforcement Administration 

Todd Graves Catherine Hanaway 

United States Attorney United States Attorney 

Western District of Missouri Eastern District of Missouri 

Charles Larson Matthew Whitaker 

United States Attorney United States Attorney 

Northern District of Iowa Southern District of Iowa 

Eric Melgren Michele Tapken 

United States Attorney United States Attorney 

District of Kansas District of South Dakota 

Mike Heavican Drew Wrigley

United States Attorney United States Attorney 

District of Nebraska District of North Dakota 

Thomas Warren David Sankey

Chief of Police Major 

Omaha NE Police Department Nebraska State Patrol 

Ken Carter Joe Frisbie 

Director Chief of Police 

Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement Sioux City IA Police Department 

Ken Conlee James Keathley

Chief of Police Major 

Lee’s Summit MO Police Department Missouri State Highway Patrol 

Larry Welch Ron Miller

Director Chief of Police 

Kansas Bureau of Investigation Kansas City KS Police Department 

Mike Milstead Mike Boxler

Sheriff Special Agent in Charge 

Minnehaha CO Sheriff Office Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 

Kevin Stafford C. Mauri Sheer 

Special Agent in Charge U.S. Marshal, Western District of Missouri 

Federal Bureau of Investigation U.S. Marshal's Service 

Kevin Thom Lauren Wild 

Director Sheriff 

South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Walsh County ND Sheriff's Office 
Appendix C 

32 

 

The following agencies and organizations participate in Midwest HIDTA initiatives 

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, 

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue 

Service, United States Attorney’s Office (Northern and Southern District of Iowa, District of 

Kansas, Western and Eastern Districts of Missouri, District of Nebraska, District of North 

Dakota, and District of South Dakota), United States Marshals Service, United State Border 

Patrol, United States Forest Service. 

• Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office, Iowa State 

Patrol, Iowa National Guard, Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Iowa Department of Public 

Safety, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas 

Highway Patrol, Kansas National Guard, Kansas Attorney General’s Office, Missouri 

National Guard, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska National 

Guard, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, 

South Dakota National Guard, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, North Dakota 

National Guard, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. 

• Adams County Sheriff’s Office (NE), Altoona Police Department (IA), Benton County 

Sheriff’s Office (IA), Bellevue Police Department (NE), Belton Police Department (MO), 

Blue Springs Police Department (MO), Bonner Springs Police Department (KS), Butler 

County Sheriff’s Department (MO), Cape Girardeau Police Department (MO), Cass County 

Sheriff (ND), Christian County Sheriff’s Office (MO), Cedar Rapids Police Department (IA), 

Clay County Sheriff’s Department (MO), Clay County Sheriff’s Department (MN), Crawford 

County Sheriff’s Office (KS), Des Moines Police Department (IA), Dodge County Sheriff’s 

Office (NE), Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (NE), Dunklin Police Department (MO), 

Edwardsville Police Department (KS), Fargo Police Department (ND), Festus Police 

Department (MO), Finney County Sheriff’s Office (KS), Garden City Police Department 

(KS), Gering Police Department (NE), Grand Island Police Department (NE), Grand Forks 

Police Department (ND), Grand Forks County Sheriff (ND), Green County Sheriff’s 

Department (MO), Grundy County Sheriff’s Department (IA), Hardin County Sheriff’s 

Department (IA), Hooper Police Department (NE), Independence Police Department (MO), 

Jackson Co. Drug Task Force (MO), Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department (MO), Johnson 

County Sheriff’s Office (KS), Kansas City Police Department (KS), Kansas City Police 

Department (MO), Kansas City Airport Authority (MO), Lake St. Louis Police Department 

(MO), LaVista Police Department (NE), Leavenworth Police Department (KS), Lee Summit 

Police Department (MO), Lincoln Police Department (NE), Linn County Sheriff’s Office 

(IA), Marion Police Department (IA), Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office (IA), Marshall 

County Sheriff’s Department (IA), Marshalltown Police Department (IA), Minot Police 

Department (ND), Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department (SD), Moorhead Police 

Department (MN), Muscatine Police Department (IA), Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office 

(IA), New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department (MO), O’Fallon Police Department (MO), 

Olathe Police Department (KS), Overland Park Police Department (KS), Papillion Police 

Department (NE), Pembina County Sheriff’s Department (ND), Poplar Bluff Police 

Department (MO), Pennington County Sheriff’s Office (SD), Pennington County Attorney’s 

Office (SD), Pittsburg Police Department (KS), Platte County Sheriff’s Department (MO), 

Polk County Sheriff’s Office (IA), Richmond Police Department (MO), Sarpy County 

Sheriff’s Office (NE), Scottsbluff County Sheriff’s Office (NE), Scottsbluff Police 

Department (NE), Sikeston Department of Public Safety (MO), Sioux City Police 
33

Department (IA), Sioux Falls Police Department (SD), South Sioux City Police Department 

(NE), Springfield Police Department (MO), St. Charles Police Department (MO), St. Charles 

County Sheriff’s Department (MO), St. Louis County Police Department (MO), St. Louis 

Police Department (MO), St. Peters Police Department (MO), Tama Police Department (IA), 

Tama County Sheriff’s Department (IA), Walsh County Sheriff (ND), Wentzville Police 

Department (MO), Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office (IA), West Des Moines Police 

Department (IA), Ward County Sheriff (ND). 

 
Appendix D 

34 

Midwest HIDTA Initiatives CY 2005 

The operations, identified below are multi-agency collocated task forces. Each targets 

the most significant identified targets in their area. Several specialize in clandestine 

laboratory investigations. 

• Office of the Director — implements the policies of the Midwest HIDTA Executive 

Board in accordance with ONDCP Program Guidance. Provides coordination 

through state coordinators and various committees and acts as the primary liaison 

with the Office of National Drug Control Policy. (Kansas City, Missouri) 

• Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center — assists HIDTA task forces and 

other federal, state, and local enforcement agencies within the region in exchanging 

information and intelligence, linking each of the six states electronically, continually 

evaluating the threat in the region, and providing case support, post-seizure analysis, 

investigative support and trend analysis. Maintains a Watch Center for one stop 

shopping of target information, and subject and event deconfliction. Intelligence 

“Nodes” and sub-initiatives are located in state police headquarters to facilitate 

communication. (Kansas City, Missouri) 

• St. Louis DEA Intelligence Group — provides investigative intelligence and support 

on National Priority investigations and DTOs to HIDTA task forces and the 

Investigative Support Center by working in conjunction with DEA sponsored task 

forces. (St. Louis, Missouri) 

• ATF Intelligence Group — Collocated with the Midwest HIDTA Investigative 

Support Center. Intelligence group responsible for investigative intelligence on 

firearms and explosive investigations in the Kansas City Field Division, MO-KS-NEIA. (Kansas City, Missouri) 

• St. Louis DEA Financial Investigation Team — a collocated, multi-jurisdictional 

task force that conducts financially focused investigations of drug and drug moneylaundering criminal enterprises. (St. Louis, Missouri) 

• FBI, CIU/S3 — Collocated with the Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center. 

Collocated multi-agency intelligence task force that identifies major Drug Trafficking 

Organizations through the use of long-term intelligence based investigations. Added 

mission to support the Joint Terrorism Task Force added in 2003. Collocated with 

the Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center. (Kansas City, Missouri)

• Iowa Interdiction Support — Operational support for Highway interdiction activities on 

pre-identified trafficking routes. 

• Des Moines DEA Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task force who targets 

major manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations the Des Moines 

area. (Des Moines, Iowa) 
35

• Muscatine Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task force that targets 

distribution organizations in eastern Iowa. (Muscatine, Iowa) 

• Tri-State, Sioux City DEA Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task force with 

members from Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska law enforcement agencies who 

collaborate to target importation, manufacturing, and distribution organizations in the 

region. (Sioux City, Iowa) 

• Cedar Rapids DEA Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task force which 

targets major manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations in the Cedar 

Rapids DEA RO area of responsibility. (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) 

• Kansas Bureau of Investigation Enforcement Initiative — operational support for 

the narcotics units of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to investigate 

methamphetamine producers, drug distribution, and trafficking organizations in the 

state of Kansas. This initiative provides response to clandestine labs. (Great Bend, 

Kansas) 

• Kansas Highway Interdiction — Operational support for Highway interdiction 

activities on pre-identified trafficking routes. 

• Garden City DEA Task Force — co-located, multi-agency task force, which targets 

major manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations in southwest 

Kansas. (Garden City, Kansas) 

• Southeast Kansas Drug Enforcement Task Force — co-located multi-agency task 

force targeting trafficking and manufacturing organizations in the southeastern 

counties of Kansas. (Pittsburg, Kansas) 

• Wichita DEA Task Force — co-located multi-agency task force targeting trafficking 

and manufacturing organizations in the Wichita Kansas area, as well as the 

designated counties served by the Wichita Resident Office of the DEA. (Wichita, 

Kansas) 

• Kansas City Overland Park DEA Combined Task Force — a co-located, multiagency task force which investigate and dismantle methamphetamine laboratories, 

importation and trafficking organizations, and CPOT and RPOT investigations in 

Kansas and northwest Missouri. (Overland Park, Kansas) 

• Kansas City DEA Interdiction Task Force – a collocated multi-agency task force 

which has as a core of its mission the interdiction of drugs by trafficking 

organizations through investigations involving smuggling and transshipment of illicit 

narcotics. (Kansas City, Missouri) 

• Kansas City Metropolitan Enforcement Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency 

task force, which targets and investigates clandestine labs, career repeat offenders, 

precursor chemical sources and suppliers, along with importation, and distribution 

organizations. (Kansas City, Missouri) 
36

• Springfield DEA Task Force — collocated multi-agency task force targeting 

manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations in southwest Missouri. 

(Springfield, Missouri) 

• Missouri Interdiction and Information Exchange — provides assistance and 

operational coordination and support to Highway drug interdiction program and 

investigations conducted as a result by the Drug and Crime Division and HIDTA 

Task Forces. This initiative also provides MoSPIN network support to Midwest 

HIDTA initiatives and the ISC. (Jefferson City, Missouri) 

• St. Charles County Drug Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task force which 

targets manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations. (St. Charles, 

Missouri) 

• South Central Missouri Drug Task Force — a collocated multi-agency task force 

which target manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations as well as 

marijuana cultivation in south-central Missouri to include the Mark Twain National 

Forest. (Willow Springs, Missouri) 

• Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task force which 

target manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations in southeast 

Missouri. (Sikeston, Missouri) 

• St. Louis DEA HIDTA Group 32 — a co-located, multi-agency task force targeting 

manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations in the designated counties 

of St. Louis and St. Charles. (St. Louis, Missouri) 

• St. Louis DEA Violent Traffickers Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task 

force targeting the most notorious violent drug trafficking organizations operating in 

the St. Louis metropolitan area. (St. Louis, Missouri) 

• St. Louis FBI Combined Enforcement Task Force — a collocated, multi- agency 

task force targeting importation and distribution organizations and conducting longterm National Priority Targeting investigations. (St. Louis, Missouri) 

• St. Louis County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Task Force — a collocated, 

multi-agency task force targeting methamphetamine and other community drug 

related problems in the St. Louis County and St. Louis Metropolitan area. (St. Louis, 

Missouri) 

• St. Louis Interdiction — a collocated, multi-agency task force targeting traffickers 

and importers through hotel-motel and highway interdiction activities. (St. Louis, 

Missouri) 

• St. Louis DEA Major Investigations and Conspiracy Group (Group 37) — a colocated, multi-agency task force that supports cooperative efforts that focus on 
37

priority target organizations (PTOs) and regional priority organizational targets 

(RPOTS) within the St. Louis Metropolitan area. (St. Louis, Missouri) 

• Jasper County Drug Task Force — a co-located, multi-agency task force which 

targets manufacturing, importation and distribution organizations. (Joplin, Missouri) 

• Omaha Metro Drug Task Force — a multi-agency collocated task force targeting 

distribution, importation, and manufacturing organizations in Omaha. (Omaha, 

Nebraska) 

• Tri-City Drug Task Force — a multi-agency collocated task force targeting 

distribution, importation, and manufacturing organizations in central Nebraska. 

(Grand Island, Nebraska) 

• Lincoln-Lancaster Drug Task Force — a multi-agency collocated task force 

targeting distribution, importation, and manufacturing organizations in central 

Nebraska. (Lincoln, Nebraska) 

• WING Drug Task Force — a multi-agency collocated task force targeting 

distribution, importation, and manufacturing organizations in western Nebraska 

Panhandle area. (Scottsbluff, Nebraska) 

• III Corp Drug Task Force — a multi-agency collocated task force targeting 

distribution, importation, and manufacturing organizations in the Dodge county 

Nebraska area. (Fremont, Nebraska) 

• Nebraska State Patrol Highway Interdiction — Operational support for Highway 

interdiction activities on pre-identified trafficking routes. 

• South Dakota DCI Enforcement/Investigative Support — provides assistance to the 

narcotics unit of the DCI, HIDTA Task Forces and non-HIDTA rural areas to 

coordinate investigative efforts in South Dakota targeting DTOs operating in the state 

and provides funding for state clandestine laboratory response. (Pierre, South Dakota) 

• Sioux Falls Task Force — a co-located state and local task force, with noncollocated participation from several other local, state, and federal agencies, targeting 

manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations operating in Sioux Falls 

and other parts of South Dakota. (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 

• Pennington County Drug Task Force — a co-located multi-agency task force, with 

non-collocated participation from several other local, state, and federal agencies, 

targeting manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations operating in 

Pennington County and other parts of South Dakota. (Rapid City, South Dakota) 

• South Dakota Interdiction — Operational support for Highway interdiction activities 

on pre-identified trafficking routes. 
38

• HIDTA Task Force Bismarck — a co-located multi-agency task force, targeting 

manufacturing, importation, and distribution organizations operating in Bismarck and 

other parts of North Dakota. (Bismarck, North Dakota) 

• Grand Forks County Task Force — a multi-jurisdictional federal, state and local task 

force operating in the Grand Forks area, targeting drug trafficking and violent crime. 

(Grand Forks, North Dakota) 

• Fargo DEA Task Force — a collocated federal, state, and local task force serving as 

a focal point of enforcement efforts in southeast North Dakota. The task force 

consists of federal, local and state officers from North Dakota and Minnesota. (Fargo, 

North Dakota) 

• North Dakota Highway Interdiction — Operational support for Highway interdiction 

activities on pre-identified trafficking routes. 

• Forensic Laboratory Enhancement — law enforcement agency chemists, are 

assigned to forensic labs in Midwest HIDTA designated areas to reduce delay in 

processing and analysis of drug exhibits thus increasing law enforcement analytical 

abilities, and also expediting on-site chemist response to clan lab incidents. 

• Special Assistant United States Attorney — enhances the resources of United States 

Attorney’s Offices in seven of the eight Midwest districts to aggressively prosecute 

narcotics trafficking cases at the federal level, and to cross-designate state prosecutors 

when appropriate. 

• Regional HIDTA Training — This initiative tracks and coordinates regional training 

to enhance the effectiveness and safety of HIDTA taskforces and law-enforcement 

officers throughout the Midwest HIDTA region. 

• Regional Technology Enhancement — The Technology initiative provides 

connectivity from the ISC to taskforces in each of the states. The Technology 

Initiative supports all information infrastructures established to connect all taskforces 

and participating agencies together through a Virtual Private Network (HIDTA.net), 

utilizing partnership with riss.net/LEO. 

• Regional Demand Reduction Initiative — law enforcement agencies in collaboration 

with anti-drug agencies collaborate to expand public awareness regarding the 

consequences of illicit drug use, methamphetamine in particular, and provides 

education and training targeting youths and their families in the six state area.