CONNECTICUT MAINE MASSACHUSETTS

NEW HAMPSHIRE RHODE ISLAND VERMONT

NEW ENGLAND 

HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA 

Calendar Year 2005

Annual Report 

New England HIDTA

Colonel Frederick H. Booth, Chair, NEHIDTA Executive Board 

Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville, Vice Chair, NEHIDTA Executive Board 

George C. Festa, Executive Director, NEHIDTA 
New England HIDTA 

2005 ANNUAL REPORT 

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The New England HIDTA was established in June 1999 because of the cheap high 

purity heroin and plentiful supply of cocaine, crack cocaine and other drugs. Although the New 

England HIDTA task forces have successfully disrupted or dismantled many significant Drug 

Trafficking Organizations the very pure Colombian heroin and pharmaceutical opiates are 

causing escalating death rates throughout New England. 

 “Deaths from drug overdoses reached an all-time high in Maine last year, according to 

state estimates, surpassing the number of people killed in traffic accidents for the first time 

Officials with the state Medical Examiner’s Office estimate that 178 people died of drug 

overdoses in 2005, 140 of them classified as accidental. That compares with 168 traffic fatalities. 

The state’s previous high for overdose deaths was 166 in 2002” Portland Press Herald, January 

12, 2006.

 “A Salem man who gained access to a 9-year-old girl by offering her mother free 

cocaine pleaded guilty yesterday (October 17, 2005) to multiple-rape charges and was sentenced 

to 15 to 18 years in state prison. Judge David Lowy went along with the plea agreement, but 

added, ‘Obviously, there is no punishment commensurate with the evil that constitutes this 

crime’ ”. Lawrence Eagle Tribune, October 18, 2005.

Virtually every component of society in the New England region is affected by illegal 

drugs. The effects are evident in the availability of illegal drugs, drug related crime, medical and 

legal costs and the personal tragedies that affect families, friends, neighbors and co-workers. 

Prevention programs, treatment and law enforcement are the critical components of an effective 

law enforcement strategy. However, the first line of defense has been, and always will be, strong, 

creative law enforcement. If the prevention programs fail and the drug abusers do not seek 

treatment, law enforcement will be there to save lives and arrest the violent drug traffickers. 

The HIDTA program is at the forefront of regional drug law enforcement by significantly 

disrupting the market and dismantling Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO). This is 

accomplished by seizing illegal drugs and assets and arresting the leaders of the Drug Trafficking 

Organizations. The New England HIDTA, in a cost effective and efficient manner, consistently 

meets or exceeds its performance targets. The following highlights illustrate the New England 

HIDTA’s success this past year: 

 

• The HIDTA philosophy embodies the principles of cooperation, coordination, collocation 

and communication. The New England HIDTA practices these principles in that over 100 

federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the 6 New England states participate in the 

13 regional law enforcement initiatives, and 1 intelligence center. The Investigative Support 

Center supports these initiatives and participating agencies in identifying, investigating and 

dismantling or disrupting the region’s most dangerous and profitable drug trafficking and money 

laundering organizations. 
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• The New England HIDTA seized illicit drugs worth almost $15 million. These drugs seized 

from DTOs represent a sizeable reduction in illicit drug availability. 

• Every NEHIDTA dollar spent on law enforcement and investigative support activities, 

contributed to removing $6.00 in illicit drugs from the market and $4.00 of drug-related assets. 

The NEHIDTA initiatives achieved a remarkable combined Return-on-Investment of $10.00 for 

every $1.00 of NEHIDTA funds invested. 

• HIDTAs exist to disrupt or dismantle DTOs. At the beginning of 2005, New England HIDTA 

initiatives identified 168 DTOs and targeted 165. By the end of the year, 47 of these targeted 

DTOs were disrupted. In addition, 45 DTOs were totally dismantled, a significant achievement. 

• A total of 57% of the targeted DTOs were disrupted or dismantled during 2005. 

• The NEHIDTA strategy emphasizes the investigation of complex international, multi-state 

and local DTOs. As illustrated by the statistical measures contained throughout this Annual 

Report, during CY 2005, the New England HIDTA initiatives targeted more complex cases and 

handled 15 OCDETF cases and CPOTs. In addition, the NEHIDTA Fugitive Task Force arrested 

fugitives from 7 OCDETF cases. 

• One NEHIDTA initiative targeted a Mexican DTO operating in central Massachusetts. This 

organization was suspected of transporting and distributing multiple kilogram quantities of 

cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana. The NEHIDTA initiative conducted several 

Federal Title III wiretaps and subsequently secured 14 Federal indictments for members of the 

organization. As a result, agents arrested 14 individuals and seized $500,000 U.S. currency, 2500 

pounds of marijuana, 3 kilograms of cocaine, 16 vehicles, 2 houses and 6 firearms. 

• In a joint Vermont NEHIDTA Task Force/Canadian law enforcement operation over 30 

wiretaps, house and vehicle electronic surveillance techniques were utilized. At the conclusion of 

the investigation 20 Canadian citizens were arrested for extradition to the United States and 

approximately $4.5 million in cash, vehicles and real property have been seized on both sides of 

the U.S./Canadian border. 

• One NEHIDTA task force initiated a CPOT connected OCDETF/HIDTA investigation 

targeting a major Dominican/Colombian heroin trafficking organization operating in Boston, 

New York and Colombia. This investigation has led to 4 separate Title IIIs and has identified the 

money man for the DTO in Colombia as well as the transportation and supply line through New 

York to Boston. The investigation resulted in 17 arrests and the seizure of several kilograms of 

heroin. 

• The NEHIDTA Investigative Support Center provided analytical support to an OCDETF 

investigation that involved oxycontin, cocaine and marijuana trafficking with proceeds laundered 

through a racetrack in New Hampshire. The case has numerous links in Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, Nevada and Florida. Analytical support included: target packages, pen register and 

telephone toll analysis, link charts, financial analysis and intelligence summaries. Twenty-eight 

indictments have resulted from this case and significant asset forfeiture potential exists. 

• For the past two years, a NEHIDTA task force has been conducting an investigation targeting 

a violent gang related heroin/cocaine trafficking organization based in the East Bay area of 
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Rhode Island. At least 14 residents of that area have died from heroin and/or cocaine overdoses 

during the past 3 years. Using undercover agents and confidential sources the NEHIDTA task 

force infiltrated the violent drug distribution organization known as the Mafioso Street Gang. 

This investigation has resulted in the arrest of 30 individuals and effectively dismantled this 

organization. A financial investigation was also initiated targeting the movement of drug 

proceeds and has identified nearly $500,000 in assets. 

• NEHIDTA Task force Officers in Connecticut targeted a crystal methamphetamine 

distribution organization operating from California to Connecticut. The task force initiated an 

undercover investigation that resulted in six arrests and the largest known seizure of crystal 

methamphetamine in Connecticut history. Additional arrests are expected and the entire 

organization has been identified. 

• NEHIDTA Task Force Officers in Maine initiated an OCDETF investigation targeting a 

cocaine trafficking organization. The investigation resulted in ten arrests, two kilograms of 

cocaine, $500,000 in assets, twenty handguns and assault rifles and one bomb. Task force 

Officers also identified and arrested kilogram sources of supply in New Hampshire, 

Massachusetts and New York. 

II. INTRODUCTION 

The New England HIDTA is pleased to present this Annual Report documenting its 

activities during calendar year 2005. The NEHIDTA is one of 28 HIDTAs under the Office of 

National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and includes the six New England states: New 

Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont. The Director of 

ONDCP designates regions with critical drug trafficking problems adversely impacting the 

United States as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. The critical drug trafficking problems 

are documented through annual Drug Threat Assessments. The HIDTAs formulate a strategy 

based on the regional drug threat assessment and implement the strategy with HIDTA funded, 

collocated federal, state and local task forces and intelligence centers. The foundations of the 

NEHIDTA are the principles of cooperation, coordination and communication. The NEHIDTA 

is a neutral entity bringing together over 100 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in 

13 task forces, 1 intelligence initiative and Executive Board. Intelligence driven investigations 

targeting international and regional DTOs that impact other HIDTAs and regions of the United 

States are the priority of the NEHIDTA. Disrupting or dismantling these organizations is the 

goal. 

The 18 member Executive Board brings together 9 state/local and 9 federal law 

enforcement and prosecution executives who govern the NEHIDTA. The NEHIDTA Executive 

Board is a unique body and the only one of its kind in New England. The combined federal, 

state and local experience on the Board provides oversight, leadership and guidance. 

 

 To achieve meaningful results, each HIDTA needs clear goals, a recognition of the 

challenges faced, a plan to get there, and a way to document achievements. This is accomplished 

through the HIDTA Program Goals, Threat Assessment, Strategy and Annual Report. The 

overall HIDTA mission is embodied by the National Program Mission Statement: 
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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. 

 

The New England HIDTA Vision Statement reflects why we exist and provides a clear 

image of the future for the HIDTA Program. The NEHIDTA Director, Staff and Executive Board 

developed the following vision for the future: 

NEW ENGLAND HIDTA 

VISION STATEMENT 

• Reduce drug availability by eliminating or disrupting drug trafficking 

organizations. 

• Reduce the harmful consequences of drug trafficking. 

• Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement organizations 

and their efforts within the New England HIDTA. 

The New England HIDTA seeks to reduce drug trafficking in the HIDTA region by targeting 

retail and wholesale drug markets, with emphasis on the flow of heroin, cocaine and crack 

cocaine into New England. The New England HIDTA will strive to identify, disrupt and 

dismantle Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTS), Regional Priority Organization 

Targets (RPOTS), Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Organizations and other criminal 

groups that are transporting and distributing drugs throughout New England. The New England 

HIDTA will continue to lead the way in identifying emerging drug trends and monitoring source 

areas, to include New York City, the Southwest Border and the New England-Canadian Border. 

A basic tenet of the New England HIDTA is that the ability of local, state and Federal law 

enforcement agencies is significantly improved when agencies work together and share 

information. The Investigative Support Center is central to the New England HIDTA Vision, in 

that it facilitates intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies through the systematic 

collection, analysis and dissemination of secure, accurate and timely intelligence. The 

Investigative Support Center will endeavor to share information and intelligence among the 

HIDTA task forces, as well as with participating and non-participating agencies inside and 

outside the New England region. This cooperative model of sharing intelligence will promote 

interagency communication and coordination, enhance officer safety through deconfliction and 

eliminate duplication of effort. 
NEW ENGLAND HIDTA 

Mission Statement 

The mission of the New England HIDTA is to reduce drug availability by creating 

intelligence-driven drug and financial crimes task forces aimed at eliminating or 

reducing domestic drug trafficking and its harmful consequences through 

enhancing and helping to coordinate drug trafficking control efforts among 

federal, state and local 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 a $2,947,636 budget for 

New England HIDTA operations. NEHIDTA dollars are well spent supporting the 13 task forces 

and Investigative Support Center in New England. The NEHIDTA allocates 86% of its budget to 

the task force and intelligence initiatives. 

Geographic Area of Responsibility: 

• Massachusetts–Essex County, Middlesex County, 

Suffolk County, Plymouth County, Worcester

County and Hampden County. 

• Connecticut – Fairfield County, Hartford County 

and New Haven County 

• Vermont - Chittenden County 

• Maine – Cumberland County 

• Rhode Island – Providence County 

• New Hampshire – Hillsborough County 

The New England HIDTA region encompasses six 

states, three of which share the border with Canada. 

Each of the six states is challenged by unique drug 

enforcement problems from the highway systems, 

waterways and international border. Large cities, with 

dense populations, and rural areas provide an ideal 

habitat for drug smuggling, transportation, 

distribution, production and consumption of illegal drugs and diverted pharmaceuticals. The 

close proximity to New York, the traditional source of supply for New England, is a 

significant and dangerous threat requiring a cooperative, coordinated strategy. 

III. National HIDTA Goals 

HIDTAs nationally have adopted two specific goals to be achieved in meeting the drug 

control challenge. These two national goals guide all HIDTA initiatives and activities throughout 

the United States. The New England HIDTA is proud to present these national HIDTA program 

goals, plus the concise summaries of its Threat assessment for Budget Year 2005 and resultant 

Strategy in the following sections. The New England HIDTA produces a regional strategy to 

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meet the New England threats, in conjunction with the national objectives and the impact on 

other HIDTAs: 

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 HIDTA Goals are the foundation upon which performance planning and outcome 

measurement are based. The process begins with the annual Threat Assessment which provides 

the basis for the Strategy. The Strategy is implemented by the NEHIDTA initiatives that are 

proposed to the NEHIDTA Executive Board for approval and funding. Each NEHIDTA 

initiative must present programmatic and fiscal justifications that are based on the Threat 

Assessment and how the initiative’s funding request directly addresses the threat. Through the 

Performance Management Plan the NEHIDTA sets realistic performance measures. Ultimately, 

each initiative must eventually provide specific information on how the funding has allowed the 

NEHIDTA to meet its desired outcomes. All NEHIDTA initiatives are developed within clear 

national guidelines governing all HIDTA activities and expenditures. 

The NEHIDTA’s 18 member Executive Board approves all Threat Assessments, the 

Strategy, initiatives and budgets. The combined federal, state and local experience on the 

NEHIDTA Executive Board provides oversight and leadership that is unique in law enforcement. 

The Executive Board has established an Operations Subcommittee to oversee all budget and 

fiscal related issues. The Board also established an Intelligence Subcommittee that supports 

NEHIDTA initiatives and participating agencies on a wide variety of intelligence and 

information issues and other matters. New England HIDTA’s success is measured by results, and 

each initiative is fully accountable for its success or failure in meeting its objectives. 

IV. Summary of Threat Assessment for Budget Year 2005 

The HIDTA Program maximizes operational effectiveness by requiring each HIDTA to 

produce a regional Threat Assessment each year. The reader is referred to the NEHIDTA Threat 

assessment for Budget Year 2005 for details on the threats identified. The following summary is 

presented for your convenience. 

The New England HIDTA Threat Assessment 2005 clearly demonstrates that heroin 

continues to be a significant drug threat in New England. This is evident with the majority of 

indicators relating to its availability, use and consequences remaining stable or surpassing 

previous years reported levels. Cocaine availability remains relatively stable while the 

availability of crack cocaine continues to rise throughout the region. The highest rates of 

marijuana use among persons 12 and older occurred in the West and Northeast. The Northeastern 

states were all in New England: Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island and New 

Hampshire, ranked in the top fifth nationwide, meaning the highest rates for past month 

marijuana use. Massachusetts had the highest estimated rate of past month use of any illicit drug 

among persons age 12 or older in the nation. 
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The illegal production and smuggling of hydroponic marijuana at the New England-Canadian 

border continues to escalate. High-grade Canadian hydroponic marijuana is increasingly 

imported into Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine for distribution throughout New England 

and other regions of the country. The profits from the smuggling of hydroponic marijuana are 

transported out of the New England region via private vehicles, often to Canada or New York 

City. Last year, law enforcement officials along the New England-Canadian border seized 

$1,985,351 in outbound U.S. currency. 

The primary transporters and distributors of illicit drugs in New England, Colombian and 

Dominican criminal groups, and to a lesser extent Asian Criminal Groups, are also the primary 

money laundering groups in New England. 

OxyContin remains readily available in New England and methadone, an opiate used to treat 

heroin addiction, is increasingly abused in New England. 

The plentiful supply of all drugs and violence, the vast, open Canadian border and the thousands 

of miles of rugged coastline are significant and formidable challenges for the New England 

HIDTA. These critical problems are the focus of the New England HIDTA and our partners in 

law enforcement, prosecution, prevention, treatment, medical examiners, and health care 

professionals. These partnerships are the foundation of our strategy.

V. HIDTA Strategy Summary 

The strategy for New England HIDTA is to collect and develop intelligence on Drug Trafficking 

and Money Laundering Organizations, targeting those organizations and sources of supply, and 

dismantling the organizations through creative and effective law enforcement and prosecution. 

The NEHIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC) facilitates the collection, analysis and 

dissemination of drug intelligence/drug information between the NEHIDTA initiatives, other 

HIDTAs around the country and other intelligence groups. 

Timely and detailed intelligence/information from the NY/NJ HIDTA is critical to the success of 

the NEHIDTA strategy. A closer working relationship has been established with the NY/NJ 

HIDTA and efforts will be intensified to promote the success of this relationship. 

The NEHIDTA interdiction task forces intercept the drugs at the major transportation centers 

and, through investigation, determine the source of supply. 

The NEHIDTA task forces initiate investigations on Consolidated Priority Organization Targets 

and Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Organizations, develop the investigations to reach 

the command and control of the Organizations and prepare for and assist in the prosecution. 

Although New York is the primary source of supply, several cities in Massachusetts are major 

distribution centers for other New England states. Lawrence and Lowell, Massachusetts supply 

heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine to northern New England. New Bedford and Fall River, 

Massachusetts are the sources for heroin and cocaine distribution in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. 

Providence, Rhode Island is also a source of heroin and cocaine for Cape Cod, Massachusetts. 

Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts are source areas for Vermont and transshipment points 

for Connecticut. 
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The NEHIDTA will strive to identify, disrupt and dismantle the Consolidated Priority 

Organization Targets (CPOTS), Regional Priority Organization Targets, Drug Trafficking and 

Money Laundering Organizations and other criminal groups that are transporting and distributing 

drugs throughout New England. Successfully attacking the transportation systems and 

organizations will thereby help reduce drug availability and the impact of illicit drugs and related 

violent criminal activity in the entire region and in other areas of the world. Successful 

investigations in New England will lead to the sources of supply in New York and other states 

and eventually to the sources in the countries that produced, manufactured, transported and 

distributed the drugs. These New England regional and CPOT investigations will ultimately 

result in the successful investigation and prosecution of the leaders of the international organized 

criminal drug organizations. Our strategy will also continue to monitor and investigate criminal 

activity at the Canadian border because of the threat this vast area poses for the New England 

region and elsewhere. 

The New England HIDTA funded 16 initiatives in CY 2005 as follows: 

• 9 Investigative DTO focus 

• 1 Investigative Money Laundering focus 

• 2 Interdiction focus 

• 1 Investigative Fugitive focus 

• 1 Intelligence focus 

• 1 Training Support Initiative 

• 1 Management Operations focus 

(Note- A detailed description if each initiative can be found in Appendix D.) 

The New England HIDTA also received ONDCP supplemental funding, $250,000, for 

interdiction under the COBIJA Program and $150,000 for heroin investigations in Lawrence and 

Lowell, Massachusetts as part of the Accelerated Domestic Market Disruption Initiative 

The Interdiction funding enabled the NEHIDTA and the State Police Departments in New 

England to establish an interdiction program coordinating with other major east coast cities. The 

funding was used for coordinated operations and much needed training. This program has proved 

to be very successful. 

The Accelerated Domestic Market Disruption Initiative has enabled law enforcement to target 

mid-level heroin dealers in the Lawrence and Lowell areas. This program is effective because it 

focuses law enforcement efforts on heroin trafficking and measures the impact of these 

investigations and enforcement actions. 

VI. HIDTA Performance Measures 

The HIDTA Program has initiated a new Performance Measurement Process (PMP) that 

introduces a new capability for HIDTAs to track performance and monitor results. With 

application of the new PMP, the New England HIDTA Annual Report functions as a report card; 

a barometer of HIDTA efficiency and effectiveness; a source of comparison with previous year’s 

efforts; and most importantly, a map for future action. The next series of tables and charts 

present specific outputs and efficiency measures organized in New England HIDTA Goal order. 

These measurable results reflect a continuing increase in efficiency and effectiveness at lower 

programmatic costs. 
Drug Trafficking Organizations are organizations of five or more persons that (1) have a 

clearly defined hierarchy or chain of command and (2) whose principal activity is to generate 

income or acquire assets through a continuing series of illegal drug production, manufacturing, 

importation, or distribution activities. 

Performance Measures for Goal 1 

Table 1 – Percentage of DTOs and MLOs Disrupted or Dismantled 

Table 2 - Percentage of DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope 

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

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Table 4 - Operational Scope of All DTO Cases Initiated 

Tables 1 through 4 reflect the remarkable impact New England HIDTA initiatives had on 

Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs), not only within the New England HIDTA region itself, 

but also nationally and internationally. At the beginning of each year, New England HIDTA 

initiatives are hard at work investigating DTOs that have been previously identified, many of 

which will also have been specifically targeted for disruption or total dismantlement. Table 1 

shows that as of January 2005, New England HIDTA initiatives had already identified 168 DTOs 

and targeted 165 for either disruption or dismantlement. By the end of calendar year 2005, the 

New England HIDTA disrupted 47 and dismantled 45 DTOs originally identified and targeted in 

the beginning of 2005. As a result, a total of 92 DTOs were disrupted or dismantled. In short, of 

the 165 DTOs targeted in the reporting period, over 57% were disrupted or dismantled, a truly 

notable achievement. 

 The NEHIDTA region includes the 6 New England states. Drug trafficking organizations 

range from lower level dealers to multi-state and sophisticated international organizations. 

Several NEHIDTA investigations are targeting Consolidated Priority Organization Targets 

(CPOTs). The dealers distribute in small towns, large cities and in the vicinity of the CanadianNew England border. In a departure from historic drug distribution, the dealers in many cases 

distribute more than one drug. This relatively new strategy by the dealers and organizations 

requires sophisticated and adaptable law enforcement strategies to penetrate the highest levels of 

the traffic. The NEHIDTA initiatives have been very successful penetrating and dismantling or 

disrupting the Drug Trafficking Organizations. Several major investigations began as 

cooperative investigations with state and local law enforcement. Through hard work, 

coordination, and the combined talents of the state, federal and local law enforcement officers, 

these investigations identified and subsequently targeted the command and control of the 

organizations. Many of these investigations are ongoing and will eventually lead to the 

dismantling of these organizations. These investigations would not have been possible without 

the NEHIDTA. 

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Table 2 explains New England HIDTA success in terms of the operational scope of the 

DTOs identified and targeted in calendar year 2005. Of the DTOs identified, 110 operated 

beyond the NEHIDTA region in multiple states, or were involved in international operations. 

NEHIDTA initiatives targeted 109 of these major operations, disrupting 29 and totally 

dismantling 33 of the larger targeted DTOs. Thirty two of the 55 targeted international DTOs 

were either dismantled or disrupted. While this was short of the targeted number, it still reflects 

the NEHIDTA commitment to identify, target and dismantle or disrupt large-scale drug 

operations. 

 Table 2 also demonstrates the New England HIDTA’s commitment to reduce retail drug 

sales, violence and improve the quality of life in local communities by targeting 56 local DTOs. 

This attention to local DTOs resulted in 18 disruptions and 12 dismantlements. Attacking street 

level traffickers in conjunction with the larger DTO targets has a ripple effect in the drug supply 

chain. Taking off a small dealer, even though the drug quantity seized may be small, impacts the 

ability of international and multi-state DTOs to get their drugs into the hands of drug users, thus 

helping to reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of this black market industry. In addition, drug 

related violence is reduced or eliminated and the people living in those communities can pursue 

their interests without fear and enjoy a finer quality of life. 

 The City of Lawrence, MA has experienced significant violent crime and drug trafficking 

due to the criminal activities of organized violent gangs. The NEHIDTA North Shore Gang Task 

Force targeted the Almighty Latin King/Queen Nation and Latin Gangsta Deciples. The 

investigation of these gangs resulted in the arrest of 22 Latin King members and several Latin 

Gangsta Deciples. Violent crime has significantly decreased in Lawrence and according to the 

Police Chief there has not been a homicide in Lawrence, MA for the past 20 months. 

 The NEHIDTA stresses the importance of developing cases having the potential to qualify 

for OCDETF designation. Of the 168 cases opened in 2005, 12 received OCDETF designation. 

Of the 55 international DTOs targeted, NEHIDTA initiatives developed enough information to 

cause 3 of these to be designated as CPOT cases. Five of these also became OCDETF cases. 

Table 4 shows that, 9% of the international cases and 9% of the multi-state cases opened in 2005 

received OCDETF designation. This is another strong indication that the NEHIDTA disrupted 

the market place for drugs by focusing on those DTOs operating at the multi-state and 

international levels of operation. 

 Tables 1-4 clearly reflect the nature of the NEHIDTAs enforcement efforts and 

demonstrate its effectiveness in achieving its targeted outcomes. In nearly every instance, the 

NEHIDTA significantly impacted its performance targets. 
Table 5 - Drugs Removed from the Marketplace 

 During CY 2005, the NEHIDTA had a significant impact on the region’s drug trade 

through its drug seizures. Table 5 lists the wholesale values of the respective drugs seized, thus 

giving a highly accurate and true depiction of the economic impact of removing these drugs from 

the marketplace. In this fashion, achieving the NEHIDTA goals is more clearly shown in terms 

of real dollar outcomes. 

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

Law Enforcement Initiatives 

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

Enforcement Initiatives

NEHIDTA initiatives seized $10,640,636 in drug assets during CY 2005, thereby 

reducing availability and subsequent abuse. This amount yields an impressive ROI of $4.00 for 

every $1.00 of HIDTA funding invested in NEHIDTA law enforcement and intelligence 

initiatives. It is well recognized, of course, that additional law enforcement dollars from agencies 

outside HIDTA for such expenses as officer salaries, police overhead and so forth, also 

contribute to drug seizures. Table 7 does not attempt to calibrate such outside expenses, but is 

focused directly on what HIDTA spends. 

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

Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives

 Drug trafficking is a business and a significant way to disrupt it is to seize its drugs and 

assets. Tables 6, 7 and 8 demonstrate the efficiency of the NEHIDTA insofar as removing illicit 

drugs and drug profits from the DTOs. 2004 was the first year that the HIDTAs used the 

Performance Management Process, 2004 figures shown in Tables 6 and 7, serve as a baseline to 

estimate. Based upon available funding, the NEHIDTA invested $2.4 million and seized 

$25,115,751 in Drugs and Assets Removed From Market. This represents a phenomenal Return 

on Investment of $10 for every NEHIDTA dollar spent. This clearly shows the value of the 

HIDTA Program. 

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Table 9 - Prosecution Initiative Cost Per Investigation

The NEHIDTA has no Prosecution Initiatives. 

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

 

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Table 11 - Clandestine Laboratory Activities, 2005 

 

Performance Measures for Goal 2 

Table 12 – Training Efficiency by Year and Type of Training 

Training is essential in improving both the efficiency and effectiveness of NEHIDTA 

operations. In Calendar year 2004 the NEHIDTA had two individuals coordinating training. The 

training program changed in 2005 when one of the coordinators was transferred to Florida. As a 

result, the NEHIDTA has one part-time training coordinator for the 6 New England states. 

NEHIDTA provided training to 569 students in 2005 for a total of 10,133 classroom 

hours. This is quite an accomplishment with one part-time training coordinator. The training was 

designed to improve the students computer and analytical skills, bolster their investigative 

knowledge and develop their managerial abilities. This training, which cost NEHIDTA on 

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average $1.17 per classroom hour, was provided free of charge to NEHIDTA assigned and 

participating agency investigators. These training courses would not have been available without 

NEHIDTA support and funding. 

Table 13 - Percentage of HIDTA Initiatives Using Deconfliction Services 2005 

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

 Separate law enforcement initiatives, while aggressively pursuing suspects or covering an 

event, can easily have conflicts in the field. This can be dangerous if either party is unaware of 

the other. In a “best case” scenario, it merely results in harmless interference. At worst, however, 

it could cost an officer his or her life in a dangerous encounter. Thus, information which can 

serve to deconflict such potential encounters is vital to well coordinated policing. The NEHIDTA 

provides such information through its Investigative Support Center. Of the 13 NEHIDTA 

initiatives eligible to use NEHIDTA deconfliction services, 100 percent took advantage of these 

valuable tools. Table 13 and 14 depict how well NEHIDTA initiatives and participating agencies 

used these services. These services promote officer safety, conserve resources and help to 

coordinate investigations. 

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Table 15 - Percentage of Investigations Provided Analytical Support 

Table 16 - Percentage of HIDTA Initiative Investigations Referred to Other HIDTAs and 

Other Agencies 

 

 Tables 15 and 16 clearly depict the positive outcome achieved by NEHIDTA initiatives 

in the areas of Investigation Support and Affiliated Case Referrals. These activities, which are 

well over projections, are essential to the NEHIDTA of improving efficiency and effectiveness 

through information sharing and coordinated intelligence. The NEHIDTA far exceeded the 

anticipated number of requests for analytical support, and in every instance was able to provide 

this service. Further, NEHIDTA investigators and analysts referred 784 investigations either to 

other HIDTA regions or other agencies for closer scrutiny and subsequent action. 

 

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VI. Conclusions 

 

Conclusion: 

CY 2005 marks the second year that the New England HIDTA has reported initiative 

operational targets and subsequent outcomes using the new Performance Management Process 

(PMP), which includes the efficiency and effectiveness performance measurement tables spread 

throughout this Annual Report. These measurement tables clearly illustrate the value of the New 

England HIDTA and identify its many successes. In future years we will be able to more 

efficiently chart our progress because the HIDTA Program has established calendar year 2004 as 

the base year for the performance measures. 

The New England HIDTA initiatives are maturing and, as a result, are targeting more 

complex Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Organizations. The use of sophisticated 

electronic surveillance has increased as well as the quantity and quality of long term 

investigations. Many of the NEHIDTA’s successes are described in this report however; the true 

value of the NEHIDTA is in the cooperative partnerships that have been established throughout 

New England’s six states. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors participate in the 

NEHIDTA because they believe in the HIDTA philosophy of cooperation, coordination, 

collocation and communication. NEHIDTA task forces are minimally funded and depend on 

federal, state and local agencies to provide personnel and facilities for the task forces. The true 

measure of the NEHIDTA’s success is in the unselfish and significant good will readily and 

consistently given to the New England HIDTA initiatives from participating agencies. 

It is because of this cooperative spirit that the New England HIDTA initiatives have been 

so successful. Not only are the initiatives disrupting or dismantling international and multi-state 

Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Organizations but they are also supporting local police 

departments whose communities have significant violent crimes, organized gang activity and 

drug distribution. The New England HIDTA and Executive Board formulated a balanced 

strategy to address the impact of large and small criminal organizations throughout New 

England. The NEHIDTA is also at the forefront of emerging threats which are assessed and 

addressed throughout the year. 

The centerpiece of the New England HIDTA is the Investigative Support Center (ISC)

that provides analytical case support and event and subject deconfliction services. Officer safety 

is the New England HIDTA’s first priority because our law enforcement officers are our greatest 

and most important asset. The Investigative Support Center is a key component to working 

intelligence-driven investigations that will have the greatest impact in the New England region. 

Using the resources of the ISC allows the NEHIDTA initiatives to achieve their goals with a 

minimum of resources and a greater measure of success. 

Although the New England HIDTA has made considerable progress over the past year, 

there are still many challenges. Significant drug overdose deaths, escalating abuse of diverted 

pharmaceutical drugs, significant drug smuggling and other crimes on the New England –

Canadian border will require the innovative and effective efforts of the New England HIDTA 

and participating agencies. The strength of the New England HIDTA is in its partnerships with 

state, federal and local agencies. The NEHIDTA will continue to be successful and to provide 

creative solutions to the major drug and violent crimes in New England. 
19

VII. 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 - (Optional listing with brief descriptions) 

VIII. List of Tables and Charts 

Table 1 - Cost per DTO Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005................................................................ 9 

Table 2 - Percentage of DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope, 2005 ...................................... 9 

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

2005......................................................................................................................................... 9 

Table 4 - Operational Scope of All DTO Cases Initiated, 2005 ................................................... 10 

Table 5 - Drugs Removed from the Marketplace, 2005 ............................................................... 12 

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

Enforcement Initiatives, 2005............................................................................................... 12 

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

Enforcement Initiatives, 2005............................................................................................... 13 

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

Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives, 2005............................................................. 13 

Table 9 - Prosecution Initiative Cost Per Investigation, 2005 ...................................................... 14 

Table 10 - Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled in 2005, by Size ............. 14 

Table 11 - Clandestine Laboratory Activities, 2005..................................................................... 15 

Table 12 – NEHIDTA Training Efficiency by Year and Type of Training ................................ 15 

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

............................................................................................................................................... 16 

Table 14 - Percentage of Event and Case Deconflictions Submitted, 2005 ................................. 16 

Table 15 - Percentage of Investigations Provided Analytical Support, 2005............................... 17 

Table 16 - Percentage of HIDTA Initiative Investigations Referred to Other HIDTAs and Other 

Agencies, 2005...................................................................................................................... 17 
Participating Agencies: 

Federal: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, 

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation 

Division, United States Attorneys for New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 

Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, United States Coast Guard, United States Marshals for 

Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, United 

States Postal Service, United States Border Patrol and Bureau of Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement. 

State: Connecticut State Police, Connecticut National Guard, Maine Drug Enforcement 

Agency, Maine State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts National Guard, 

New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire National Guard, New Hampshire Attorney 

General's Drug Task Force, Attorney General’s Office, New Hampshire, Rhode Island 

State Police, Rhode Island National Guard, Vermont State Police, Vermont National 

Guard, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Airport Police. 

Local: Berlin, CT Police Department, Boston, MA Police Department, Branford, CT 

Police Department, Bridgeport, CT Police Department, Bristol, CT Police Department, 

Bristol, RI Police Department Brockton, MA, Police Department, Brookfield, CT, Police 

Department, Burlington, VT, Police Department, Central Falls, RI, Police Department, 

Charlestown, RI Police Department, Chittenden County, VT, Sheriff’s Department, 

Clinton, MA Police Department, Coventry, RI Police Department, Cranston, RI Police 

Department, Cumberland County, ME Sheriff’s Department, Easton, CT Police 

Department, East Hartford, East Haven, CT Police Department, East Providence, RI 

Police Department, East Windsor, CT Police Department, Essex County, MA Sheriff’s 

Department, Essex, VT, Police Department, Fairfield, CT, Police Department, 

Greenwich, CT, Police Department, Hamden, CT Police Department, Hartford, CT, 

Police Department, Haverhill, MA Police Department, Lawrence, MA, Police 

Department, Lewiston, ME, Police Department, Lowell, MA Police Department, MBTA 

Police Department, Manchester, NH Police Department, MBTA, Police Department, 

Methuen, MA, Police Department, Middlesex County, MA Sheriff’s Department, 

Nashua, NH Police Department, Naugatuck, CT Police Department, New Canaan, CT 

Police Department, New Haven, CT, Police Department, New London, CT, Police 

Department, New Milford, Ct, Police Department, Newport, RI Police Department, 

Newtown, CT, Police Department, Norwalk, CT Police Department, Orange, CT Police 

Department, Pawtucket, RI Police Department, Providence, RI, Police Department, 

Scarborough, ME, Police Department, Scituate, MA Police Department, Shelton, CT 

Police Department, Southington, CT Police Department, South Burlington, VT Police 

Department, Springfield, MA Police Department, Stanford, CT Police Department, 

Stratford, CT Police Department, Tiverton, RI Police Department, University of 

Connecticut Police Department, Waterbury, CT Police Department, Warwick, RI Police 

Department, Webster, MA Police Department, Westbrook, ME Police Department, 

Westerly, RI Police Department, West Haven, CT Police Department, Windham, ME 

Police Department, Woonsocket, RI Police Department, Worcester County, MA 

Sheriff’s Department. 

Appendix C 
New England HIDTA Executive Board

Chair 

Colonel Frederick H. Booth 

New Hampshire State Police 

Special Agent in Charge June W. Stansbury 

Drug Enforcement Administration 

New England 

Honorable Michael J. Sullivan 

United States Attorney 

District of Massachusetts 

Honorable Thomas P. Colantuono 

United States Attorney 

District of New Hampshire 

Special Agent in Charge Robin Avers 

Bureau of Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement-New England 

Special Agent in Charge William J. Hoover 

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 

New England 

U.S. Marshal Anthony Dichio 

District of Massachusetts 

Director Roy McKinney 

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency 

SAC William J. Schenkelberg 

U.S. Coast Guard - CGIS 

New England 

Vice Chair 

Special Agent in Charge Kenneth W. Kaiser 

Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Boston, Massachusetts 

Special Agent in Charge Joseph Galasso 

Criminal Investigation Division 

Internal Revenue Service 

New England 

Colonel Thomas G. Robbins 

Massachusetts State Police 

Colonel Edward J. Lynch 

Connecticut State Police 

Colonel Thomas Powlovich 

Vermont State Police 

Colonel Steven Pare 

Rhode Island State Police 

Chief of Police Colonel Stephen McCartney 

Warwick, Rhode Island 

Chief of Police John Jaskolka 

Manchester, New Hampshire 

Director Thomas E. Flaherty 

Police Officer Standards and Training Council 

Meriden, Connecticut 

Appendix B 
New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area 

Management & Coordination 

New England HIDTA 

Management & Coordination 

Fiduciary (Award Recipient) 

Town of Scarborough 

Maine 

Director 

George C. Festa 

(HIDTA Funded Position) 

Deputy Director 

John J. Barthelmes 

(HIDTA Funded Position) 

Budget Director 

John J. McDonough 

(HIDTA Funded Position) 

Systems Administrator 

Paul Lyon 

(HIDTA Funded Position) 

Administrative Assistant 

Cynthia A. Kahrman 

(HIDTA Funded Position) 

Training Coordinator 

Mary Ellen Trouville 

(Part-time) 

Appendix A2 
New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area 

Organizational Chart 

NEW ENGLAND 

HIDTA 

EXECUTIVE BOARD 

NEW ENGLAND 

HIDTA 

MANAGEMENT & 

COORDINATION

Fidu

T

ST

INTELLIGENCE 

SUB-COMMITTEE 

OPERATIONS 

SUB COMMITTEE 

RHODE ISLAND 

TASK FORCE 

INVESTIGATIVE 

SUPPORT CENTER 

FINANCIAL 

TASK FORCE 

SOUTHWESTERN CT. 

TASK FORCE 

NORTHERN 

TASK FORC

N.E. HIDTA 

FUGITIVE 

TASK FORCE 

SOUTHERN NH 

TASK FORCE 

NEW HAVEN 

FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

T

ASK FORCE 

N.E. HIDTA TRAINING 

INITIATIVE 

CENTRAL MA 

TASK FORCE 

GREATER BOSTON 

TASK FORCE 

PROVIDENC

COUNTY 

TRANSPORTATION 

FORCE 

NORTH SHORE HIDTA 

TASK FORCE 

Appendix A1 
New England HIDTA Initiatives 

Investigative Support Center – Methuen, MA. This initiative is co-managed by the FBI 

and the Massachusetts State Police. The Analytical Section is managed by a DEA 

Supervisory Intelligence Analyst. 

Greater Boston HIDTA Task Force – Boston, MA – This FBI sponsored task force 

recently joined with the ICE Smuggling Group. These two groups are collocated in FBI 

space. 

Central Massachusetts Task Force- Worcester, MA DEA sponsored task force in 

Central Massachusetts targeting mid to upper level DTOs. 

New England HIDTA Fugitive Task Force – Boston, MA – The U.S. Marshal, District 

of Massachusetts sponsors this task force that concentrates its efforts on violent and 

major drug fugitives. 

Rhode Island Task Force – Providence, Rhode Island – FBI sponsored co-managed task 

force with the FBI and Rhode Island State Police. 

New Haven-Fairfield County Task Force/Hartford County HIDTA Transportation 

Task Force - Middletown, CT – Connecticut State Police Task Forces targeting violent 

traffickers in three Connecticut counties. 

Providence County Transportation Task Force – Warwick, RI Interdiction and 

investigative task force sponsored by DEA. 

Southern New Hampshire Task Force – Concord, NH –DEA sponsored task force 

targeting mid to upper level DTOs. 

New England HIDTA Financial Task Force - Boston, MA – ICE sponsored financial 

task force co-managed with the IRS Criminal Division. 

Southwest Connecticut Task Force – Bridgeport, CT- DEA sponsored task force 

targeting major international and multi-state DTOs. 

Northern Vermont Task Force - Burlington, VT. This DEA sponsored task force 

investigates DTOs operating on the Canadian Border. 

Southern Maine Task Force-Portland, Maine This DEA sponsored task force targets 

DTOs in the Cumberland County Maine area that are distributing heroin and cocaine in 

Maine. 

North Shore Gang Task Force – Methuen, MA This is an FBI sponsored co-managed 

task force with the Massachusetts State Police targeting violent gangs in the LowellLawrence MA area.

New England HIDTA Training Initiative-Methuen,MA This initiative offers free 

training to law enforcement throughout New England. 

Management and Coordination Initiative-Methuen, MA This initiative is the 

NEHIDTA Director and Staff. 

Appendix D