West Texas HIDTA

CY 2005

Annual Report
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I. Executive Summary . . . . . . . . 1 

II. Introduction . . . . . . . . . 3 

III. National HIDTA Goals . . . . . . . . 6 

IV. Summary of Threat Assessment for Budget Year 2005 . . . . 6 

V. HIDTA Strategy Summary . . . . . . . 7 

VI. HIDTA Performance Measures . . . . . . . 9 

A. Performance Measures for Goal 1 . . . . . . 9 

1. Core Table 1 – Cost per DTO Disrupted/Dismantled, 2005 . 9 

2. Core Table 2 - % of DTOs Disrupted/Dismantled, 2005 . 10 

3. Core Table 3 - % of Money Laundering Org. Disrupted/Dismantled 10 

4. Core Table 4 – Operational Scope of all DTO cases initiated . 11 

5. Core Table 5 – Drugs removed from the Marketplace . . 12 

6. Core Table 6 – ROI for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace . 12 

7. Core Table 7 – ROI for Assets Removed from the Marketplace . 13 

8. Core Table 8 – ROI for Drugs and Assets Removed 

from the Marketplace . . . 14 

9. Core Table 9 – Prosecution Initiative Cost per Investigation . 14 

10. Core Table 10 – Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs 

 Dismantled, by Size . . . . 15 

11. Core Table 11 – HIDTA Clandestine Laboratory Activities . 16 

B. Performance Measures for Goal 2 . . . . . . 17 

1. Core Table 12 – HIDTA Training Efficiency by year and Type 

 of Training . . . . . 17 

2. Core Table 13 – Percentage of HIDTA initiatives using Event 

 and Case Deconfliction Services . . 18 

3. Core Table 14 – Percentage of Event and Case Deconflictions 

 Submitted . . . . . 19 

4. Core Table 15 – Percentage of Investigations Provided Analytical 

 Support . . . . . 20 

5. Core Table 16 – Percentage of HIDTA Initiative Investigations 

 Referred to Other HIDTAs and Other Agencies 21 

C. Threat Specific and Need Specific Tables . . . . 22 

1. Threat Specific Table 17: Fugitives Targeted and Apprehended . 22 

2. Threat Specific Table 18: Felony Arrests by HIDTA Initiatives . 22 

3. Need Specific Table 19: Use of Skills from HIDTA Intelligence 

 Training Sessions . . . . 23 

4. Need Specific Table 20: Intelligence Driven Cases . . 23 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

5. Need Specific Table 21: HIDTA Sponsored Training Sessions . 24 

6. Need Specific Table 22: Leveraged Agency ROI . . . 24 

VII. Conclusions . . . . . . . . . 26 

VIII. Appendices 

A. Table of Organization for the HIDTA . . . . . 30 

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

and federal affiliation . . . . . . . 31 

C. List of Participating Agencies . . . . . . 32 

D. List of Counties Participating in the HIDTA . . . . 33 

E. HIDTA PMP Matrix for year of Annual Report . . . . 34 

F. List of HIDTA Initiatives for 2005 . . . . . 35 

IX. List of Tables and Charts . . . . . . . . 36 

X. Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . 37 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

I. Executive Summary 

Illicit drug trafficking, smuggling, transshipment and distribution continues to plague 

the West Texas Region of the Southwest Border HIDTA (West Texas Region), and its vile 

impact reaches into the entire country with an intertwined dependency starting with violence 

in Juarez, to corruption and crime in El Paso, through to distribution and abuse in cities such 

as Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis, Denver, and New York to name a few. 

Illegal drugs affect every component of our society. The HIDTA Program is

designed to significantly disrupt the market for these illicit activities. Every time illegal 

drugs and associated assets are seized, the regional marketplace – and the destination 

regional marketplaces – for illegal drugs suffer a setback. These seizures hit drug trafficking

organizations (DTOs) hard, affecting their profitability, and frequently their ultimate 

survival. By disturbing the drug supply chain, particularly at the multi-state or international 

level, law enforcement impacts the drug flow before it ever reaches the individual user. Law 

enforcement activities, of course, also have a cost. A key question emerges, therefore, as to

how efficiently and effectively public dollars are being spent on these objectives. This 

Report answers those questions. During this past reporting period, West Texas Region 

initiatives disrupted the market for illegal drugs by meeting or exceeding most of their 

performance targets for the year, and they did so in a cost effective manner. The following 

highlights illustrate this success: 

 To maximize results, the West Texas Region, SWB HIDTA facilitates cooperation and 

joint efforts between different law enforcement organizations. There are 26 federal, state 

and local law enforcement agencies participating in the West Texas Region law 

enforcement initiatives and task forces. In West Texas, 251 full time federal, state and 

local law enforcement personnel work side by side in commingled multi-agency task

forces. Additionally, agencies in West Texas have committed 1,147 personnel on a parttime basis to our full-time task forces. With support from the West Texas Investigative 

Support Center (West Texas ISC), regional initiatives continue to make significant 

progress in identifying, investigating and dismantling or disrupting the area’s most 

dangerous and prolific DTOs, money launderers, and violent criminals. 

 Illicit drugs are extremely profitable for the illegal organizations that traffic them. 

Removing those profits hits home where it counts. During CY 2005, over $397 million

in illicit drug profits were permanently eliminated from the balance sheets of regional 

DTOs. This would be a serious financial blow to even the largest legitimate corporation. 

Its impact on an illegal DTO is greater yet, and represents a sizeable reduction in illicit 

drug availability. 

 Fighting the battle against illicit drug trafficking costs money. One can take great 

comfort, however, from the fact that every HIDTA budget dollar spent on law

enforcement, prosecution, and investigative activities in West Texas contributed to

removing $51 in illicit drugs from the market and seizing $3 of drug-related assets. Thus, 

West Texas Region – SWB HIDTA initiatives achieve a remarkable Return-onInvestment (ROI) of $54 for every $1 of West Texas Region HIDTA funds invested. 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

 HIDTAs exist to disrupt and dismantle DTOs. At the beginning of 2005, the West Texas

Region identified 66 and targeted 62 of those identified. During the year, 156 additional 

DTOs were identified with 154 targeted. HIDTA initiatives dismantled 42% of the 

identified DTOs and further disrupted 36%. 

 Combining the DTOs targeted at the beginning of 2005 with those targeted later in the 

year 90 DTOs were completely dismantled, forever removing their illegal activities from 

the marketplace. 

 The West Texas Region strives to investigate larger, more complex DTOs where the 

greatest positive impact can be achieved. Disrupting or dismantling a large complex 

DTO generally takes longer than stopping a street level operation, but doing so can 

substantially reduce the illicit drug marketplace. As illustrated by the statistical measures

contained throughout this Annual Report, during CY 2005, the West Texas Region 

initiatives targeted more complex cases involving larger DTOs. More specifically, 

initiatives handled 36 OCDETF cases, 7 of which involved international DTOs. 

 Through supplemental 2004 funding the West Texas Region created the Consolidated 

Priority Organization Target (CPOT) Managing Committee, a project of cooperative 

strategic and tactical effort involving all of the Region’s initiatives. With the funds 

arriving late in 2004, this project targeted the three major, international DTOs operating 

throughout the West Texas/Southwest Border corridors during 2005 - 17 organizations 

were dismantled and another 14 were disrupted. 

 West Texas Region initiatives identified 36 money laundering DTOS during 2005. Of 

the 34 money laundering organizations targeted, 7 were dismantled and an additional 17 

were disrupted. 

 Effective investigations depend upon information and intelligence. The West Texas

Region continues to be a model for inter-agency information and intelligence sharing.

During 2005, 59% of West Texas Region’s initiatives’ investigations were intelligence

driven. This is a result of the analytical support and deconfliction services provided by 

the West Texas ISC. Over 1,400 events, and over 15,400 cases, were submitted for

deconfliction. Additionally, 240 investigations were provided analytical support through 

the HIDTA ISC. 

 The West Texas Region continues to play a leading role in assisting the law enforcement, 

prosecution, and investigative support initiatives with their information sharing and 

training needs. Information sharing and training support form the “glue” that binds these 

initiatives together by promoting and facilitating greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The West Texas Region Training Program continues to be an effective program for 

provided needed training in the region. It is a source for over 6,871 hours of training at a 

cost of only $12 per hour. 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

II. Introduction

The West Texas Region is pleased to present this Annual Report documenting its 

activities during the last calendar year. To fully appreciate the West Texas Region’s 

achievements, it is important to understand how each HIDTA is structured, and why it exists. 

The Director, 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). By design, HIDTA offices are located in these areas. 

Thus, the national HIDTA program, composed of 28 individual HIDTAs spread throughout 

the nation, is uniquely situated to counteract this illicit activity. Within the Southwest Border 

(SWB) HIDTA, five regions have been designated to further enhance the coordination and 

cooperation within this large geographic area. HIDTAs play a significant role in addressing 

real world drug and drug-related problems, and offer real world solutions. The West Texas 

Region is no exception. The West Texas Region has fostered cooperative and effective 

working relationships with over 26 federal, state and local agencies in its quest to disrupt or 

dismantle DTOs. These working relationships are embodied in the West Texas Region 

initiatives. A detailed description of each initiative can be found in the SWB HIDTA – West 

Texas 2005 Strategy, which is available from the West Texas Regional Director’s office. 

West Texas Region law enforcement initiatives have established priorities that focus

on immobilizing DTOs, especially those involved with drug-related smuggling and

transshipment activities, as well as targeting those DTOs that have the greatest adverse 

impact on the quality of life in the regional neighborhoods and communities and on other 

areas in the country. There is a determined effort to counter drug movement into and through 

the region, and to arrest those who attempt to return the proceeds from illegal drug sales 

through the region. This is exemplified by the continuing enhancements to regional 

interdiction initiatives. These priorities are supported by a strong commitment from federal 

and state prosecutors to provide timely and sound legal advice. 

To achieve meaningful results, each HIDTA needs clear goals (the HIDTA Program

Goals); a 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 overall HIDTA mission is embodied by the 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.1

During the past calendar year, the ONDCP Director and Executive Boards worked

closely with law enforcement and local HIDTA staff to develop a vision of the future which 

clearly reflects what outcomes HIDTA initiatives seek to achieve. 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

West Texas Region – SWB HIDTA 

Vision Statement 

With the continued cooperation and commitment of the local community of 

law enforcement, this HIDTA will develop into an even more successful and 

effective partnership. New records in seizures, arrests, convictions, and DTO 

asset removal are readily in the grasp of this partnership through dynamic 

coordination of law enforcement at every level of government. The past 

record setting performances will be exceeded in the years to come and the 

impact of this HIDTA on the rest of the nation will be imperative to the 

Nation’s safety and quality of life. 

The West Texas Region’s success is measured in part by its ability to facilitate greater 

efficiency, effectiveness and cooperation among and between external participating agencies 

at the local, state and federal level, thus yielding tangible, measurable results. Collocation of

different law enforcement agencies to facilitate and enhance resource sharing is a key 

strategy. The extent of information sharing and inter-agency cooperation fostered by the 

West Texas Region’s approach proves that separate law enforcement initiatives are working 

together effectively and efficiently. 

General George Patton once observed that a mediocre plan, well executed, was better 

than a perfect plan, poorly executed. Unfortunately, many organizations too often neglect to 

establish any plan at all, good or bad. The West Texas Region is not one of them. The West 

Texas Region recognizes that without a clear mission, the law enforcement, intelligence and 

prosecution communities cannot work in concert toward any mutual objectives, and success 

cannot be quantified or measured. The West Texas Region fully embraces the following 

mission in conjunction with the national program objectives. 

West Texas Region – SWB HIDTA 

Mission Statement 

The West Texas Region’s mission is to dismantle the drug trafficking

organizations (DTO) in our region and to stop the flow of illegal drugs into

the United States. We will make our area unattractive to the DTOs via 

cooperative efforts in intelligence, investigation, interdiction, forfeiture, and 

prosecution initiatives. 

Together, we will “target harden” our area via development and coordination of 

multi-agency intelligence, interdiction, investigation, forfeiture and

prosecution initiatives.2

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

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 $8,008,018 budget for 

West Texas Region’s operations. This budget includes baseline funding of $7,480,521, plus

supplemental funding of $246,000 for ONDCP’s Highway Drug Interdiction project, and 

$190,000 in support of ONDCP’s Regional Drug Investigations (RDI) project. Additionally

$91,497 was reprogrammed from SWB HIDTA for the Management Initiative. West Texas

strives to minimize any expenditure that does not directly address achieving their primary 

objectives. Accordingly, the West Texas Region – SWB HIDTA allocates 93% of its

funding directly to its family of initiatives and their operational support costs. Throughout

this Annual Report, the West Texas Region of the Southwest Border HIDTA is pleased to 

report significant success in achieving its mission, and its performance is trending positive 

for the future. HIDTA dollars are well spent inasmuch as they are yielding precisely the 

desired effects. 

Geographic Area of Responsibility: 

• Texas - Brewster County, Crockett 

County, Culberson County, El Paso 

County, Hudspeth County, Jeff Davis 

County, Pecos County, Presidio County, 

Reeves County, Terrell County. 

The West Texas Region covers one 

distinct population center, El Paso, Texas. and 

includes over 26 separate city and county 

jurisdictions. West Texas adjoins a 520 mile 

international border with Mexico, which is 

distinguished by the Rio Grande River. It has

been stated that 70% of drugs smuggled into the 

United States3

, are smuggled across the 

Southwest Border, a larger portion of that coming 

through the West Texas Region. With the 

exception of fortified areas along El Paso’s border, the river affords no deterrent to 

smugglers and border crossers of any kind. The vast, open space of this region fosters an

ideal habitat for drug smuggling, transshipment and transportation of illegal drugs from 

Mexico to all of the United States. In the urban areas of El Paso County, the opportunities to 

smuggle illegal drugs through the international bridges are innumerable. Increased 

enforcement and control at the international bridges have been successful, but with over 

100,000 people crossing every day4

, drug trafficking organizations still have ample 

smuggling opportunities. Specifically, highly developed transportation routes (land, rail, and 

air), and easy access to the nation’s transportation network, make the West Texas Region a 

primary transshipment market of choice for major DTOs. 

Figure 1: West Texas Area of Responsibility

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

III. National HIDTA Goals 

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

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

throughout the United States. The West Texas Region – SWB HIDTA is proud to present 

these national HIDTA program goals, plus concise summaries of its Threat Assessment for

Budget Year 2005 and resultant Strategy in the following sections. The West Texas Region 

has fashioned an individual strategy to meet local drug threats according to its individual 

needs, in conjunction with the national objectives: 

NATIONAL HIDTA GOALS5

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 represent clear targets for West Texas Region initiatives. They 

also provide the foundation upon which performance planning and outcome measurement are

based. As the West Texas Region develops budget submissions, each initiative must present 

programmatic and fiscal justifications that are based on the Threat Assessment; must

articulate how the initiative’s funding request directly addresses the threat; set realistic

performance measures; and each initiative must eventually provide specific information on 

how the funding has allowed the West Texas Region and the SWB HIDTA to meet its 

desired outcomes. West Texas Region initiatives are developed within clear national 

guidelines governing all HIDTA activities and expenditures. 

The West Texas Region Executive Committee is significantly involved in all aspects

of the HIDTA Intelligence, Investigation, Interdiction, Prosecution, and Support activities. 

The Committee provides a forum to share important trends in drug trafficking, gathers 

information on which drugs are being distributed throughout the region, and identifies DTOs. 

The Committee also addresses important administrative issues in its oversight capacity. The 

Committee has established an Intelligence Oversight Committee that supports West Texas 

Region initiatives and its participating agencies on a wide variety of intelligence issues, ISC 

policy issues, training, computer technology and other matters. The West Texas Region’s – 

and ultimately the SWB 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 (taken from the 2005 

submissions, threat written in the spring of 2004)

Many of the law enforcement problems in the West Texas Region (WTR) are 

facilitated by our location on the U.S./Mexico border. The WTR’s location presents unique 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

problems and opportunities not encountered by other major U.S. cities. El Paso and its sister 

city, Juarez, Chihuahua, comprise the largest metropolitan area on the border between the

United States and Mexico. It is estimated that between 1,900,000-2,200,000 people inhabit 

the El Paso/Juarez (EP/J) borderplex. From that number, approximately 1.5 million reside in 

Juarez, many in third world living conditions, placing a tremendous burden on the El Paso 

infrastructure. Daily, over 100,000 people cross the international bridges into El Paso. Many 

shop and conduct business, some visit family, and others commit crimes. All of these people 

use the roads, hospitals, jails etc., in El Paso, whose maintenance is supported by the El Paso 

taxpayer. Additionally, sewer system improvements, disease eradication, water planning, air 

quality control, upgrade of city resources, use of educational facilities and resources, 

maquiladora support and the interaction with the international banking systems are usually 

initiated on the El Paso side, again impacting the already overburdened El Paso taxpayer. 

This melting pot creates unique problems that are mostly international in nature. The 

U.S. government had been slow in acknowledging their responsibilities on the U.S./Mexico 

border, but in the last 5 years, and since 9/11, more resources have been committed to resolve 

international problems. However, this commitment must be maintained for the next several 

decades in order to undo the many years of neglect. 

Whereas the border restricts U.S and Mexican law enforcement efforts, criminals use

the border as a cloak to hide from LEAs. They also use corruption on both sides of the border 

to aid them in their illegal activities. The smuggling, warehousing and transshipment of 

narcotics are the biggest problems in the WTR. Homeland Security (which includes alien

smuggling) is also a major concern for all of the law enforcement agencies in the WTR. 

Gangs and their network of criminal episodes also create problems for LEAs6

V. HIDTA Strategy Summary 

To combat this significant threat, the West Texas Region coordinates nine task forces, 

a comprehensive intelligence initiative, a prosecution initiative, and two support initiatives. 

The West Texas Region Strategy is a balanced approach, targeting all levels of drug 

trafficking in our region, from the DTO/Cartel leaders on down to the “mules” who carry the 

drugs across the border, the money laundering organizations, transportation organizations, 

and the use of stash houses and hotels. All initiatives are organized to disrupt and dismantle

both CPOT and Regional Priority Organization Targets (RPOT) organizations in our region. 

The strategy is designed to address the duality of our threat. In the Big Bend region, our 

strategy is designed to address the rural trafficking of illicit narcotics, while in the El Paso 

area, the strategy is geared towards the use of POEs, transportation hubs and venues, hotels, 

stash houses, and money laundering activities. The intelligence subsystem is designed to 

span the entire region, and pulls all West Texas Region initiatives into one synchronized 

effort. 

The participating agencies in the West Texas Region each have their own strategy,

requirements and missions. The HIDTA program provides an overall coordination umbrella 

for law enforcement efforts to secure our border and to disrupt and dismantle the 

organizations attempting distribute illicit drugs throughout our region and to the rest of the 

nation. The West Texas Regional strategy is successful in leveraging resources toward a 

common goal – to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs through our border. Federal, state, and

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

local agencies throughout this Region of the SWB HIDTA have committed non-HIDTA 

funded resources toward the West Texas Region and SWB HIDTA efforts and other counternarcotics efforts due to the collaboration and coordination efforts of the West Texas Regional

Executive Committee.7

In an increasingly competitive policy and budget environment, it is critical for the 

West Texas Region to develop strategies and resource requests that will produce positive 

regional outcomes consistent with the two HIDTA goals. The West Texas Region funded 13 

initiatives in CY 2005 distributed as follows. 

 5 Investigative DTO focus 

 1 Investigative Money Laundering focus 

 3 Interdiction focus 

 1 Intelligence focus 

 1 Prosecution focus 

 2 Management & Support focus 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

VI. HIDTA Performance Measures 

Working hard does not always equal working smart. HIDTAs across the country 

have instituted new procedures aimed at ensuring that HIDTA sponsored initiatives work

both hard and smart. Since inception, the West Texas Region has refined a collaborative 

process to conduct peer review and Executive Committee reviews to ensure, as a group, that 

allocation of HIDTA funds is based on the benefit to the HIDTA mission, goals and strategy. 

This process ensures, up front, that planned initiatives and budgets are targeted to have the

greatest impact possible. Regardless of past HIDTA reporting mechanisms, this process 

ensured continuation of demonstrable results. The HIDTA Performance Management

Process (PMP) clearly exhibits our results. 

Performance measures introduce a new standardized capability to quantify and track 

HIDTA targets and monitor HIDTA results. With application of the PMP, the West Texas

Region Annual Report functions as a report card; a barometer of HIDTA efficiency and 

effectiveness; a source for comparison with previous year efforts; and most importantly, a 

beacon for future action. The next series of tables and charts present specific outputs and

efficiency measures organized in HIDTA Goal order. These measurable results reflect a 

continuing increase in efficiency and effectiveness at lower programmatic costs. More is

being accomplished with less. . . an admirable trend: 

A. Performance Measures for Goal 1

1. Core Table 1—Cost per DTO Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005

Table 1: Cost Per DTO Disrupted or Dismantled , 2005

This core table illustrates the number of DTOs identified, targeted, disrupted and 

dismantled, coupled with a simple cost analysis of the outcomes as expressed in budget 

dollars. The desired outcome is to identify, target, and disrupt or dismantle DTOs. On the 

Southwest Border, DTOs provide many targets of opportunity; this is evident in differences 

between the number of DTOs targeted verses the higher number actually disrupted. In this 

target rich drug trafficking environment, HIDTA initiatives will often identify new, related

organizations during the course conducting their investigations into known organizations. 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

2. Core Table 2—Percentage of DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by 

Scope, 2005

Table 2: DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005 

This core table presents the DTOs identified and targeted according to their 

operational scope (i.e., international, multi-state, local); and calculates the percent disrupted 

and dismantled according to each type. The desired outcome is to identify, target, and

disrupt or dismantle DTOs. Many of the international, multi-state, and even local DTOs can 

be linked in some way to about 3 of the highest level international organizations (identified 

as CPOT organizations, or more commonly known as cartel leaders) in Mexico. The highest 

levels of those organizations are untouchable by HIDTA initiatives due to their location in 

other countries; however the higher level smuggling organizations, transportation 

organizations, and money laundering organizations are within our reach. Each time such an 

organization is dismantled, the cartel leaders are significantly disrupted. 

3. Core Table 3—Percentage of Money Laundering Organizations 

Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope, 2005

Table 3 Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005 

This core table addresses performance targets for money laundering DTOs targeted, 

disrupted and dismantled. The desired outcome is to identify, target, and disrupt or dismantle 

DTOs. During 2003, the West Texas Region established the Enterprise Money Laundering 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Initiative (EMLI), with 2004 being its first full year of operation. The creation of EMLI has 

led to more focused investigation of money laundering activities, and has provided assistance 

to other investigative initiatives to expand drug investigations into the money laundering 

activities associated with drug trafficking. 

4. Core Table 4—Operational Scope of All DTO Cases Initiated, 2005

Table 4 HIDTA Operational Scope, 2005

This core table presents the characteristics of the HIDTA case workload by 

quantifying the number of cases opened and the number of CPOT, RPOT, and OCDETF 

cases, respectively. As a matter of course, HIDTA investigative initiatives seek to obtain

OCDETF designation and coordination on all cases. Many OCDETF cases in West Texas 

originated from HIDTA initiatives, or were spin-off cases from HIDTA initiatives. For all

OCDETF cases conducted in West Texas, the HIDTA does provide intelligence support 

through the West Texas Investigative Support Center (ISC). When HIDTA case is not 

granted OCDETF designation, the case will continue to be developed and prosecuted. Many 

cases will be prosecuted through the state courts via the West Texas HIDTA Prosecution

Initiative. Often, cases will have a better chance of prosecutorial success in state courts, and

on occasion have a higher punishment imposed than through Federal courts. 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

5. Core Table 5—Drugs Removed from the Marketplace, 2005 

Table 5: Drugs Removed from the Marketplace, 2005

6. Core Table 6—Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs Removed from

the Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives, by Year 

Table 6 ROI for Drugs Seized, 2005

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Core table 5 quantifies the wholesale value of the drugs seized during the requisite 

calendar year. Core Table 6 explores Return on Investment (ROI) for drugs removed, but 

does so directly as a performance target. The desired outcome is to remove drugs and drug 

assets from the marketplace, thereby increasing the Return on Investment (ROI) for HIDTA 

budget dollars expended. In terms of quantity, West Texas initiatives seized more drugs in 

2005 than in 2004. The difference in ROI can be explained by fluctuations in drug prices as 

well as decreased amounts of pricier drugs seized. The drug pricing is derived by using the 

midpoint of published wholesale price ranges for each drug type seized and reported. As 

stated in the Threat Assessment, West Texas is primarily a transshipment HIDTA. Most of

the drugs seized in West Texas are bound for destination cities all over the United States. 

The most common destination for West Texas seizures is Chicago, Illinois and now Atlanta, 

Georgia. Therefore the wholesale value of “Drugs Removed from the marketplace” is based 

on the stated wholesale value for Chicago and Atlanta.8

 This represents the impact of 

interdiction and investigative efforts in West Texas on other areas of the country. 

7. Core Table 7—Return on Investment (ROI) for Assets Removed from

the Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives, CY 2005 

Table 7: ROI for Assets Seized, 2005

Core Table 7 presents Return on Investment performance targets and measures for 

drug assets seized. The desired outcome is to remove drugs and drug assets from the 

marketplace, thereby increasing the Return on Investment (ROI) for HIDTA budget dollars 

expended. For every dollar of HIDTA funds invested in West Texas, DTOs’ assets are 

removed three times as much. This table represents the amount of DTO assets removed, to 

include currency and property. 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

8. Core Table 8—Total Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs and 

Assets Removed from the Marketplace by Law Enforcement 

Initiatives, for CY 2005 

Table 8: Total ROI, 2005

This core table presents Return on Investment Performance Targets and Measures 

combining the wholesale value for drugs seized, with the value for drug assets seized. The 

desired outcome is to permanently remove drugs and drug assets from the marketplace, 

thereby increasing the Return on Investment (ROI) for HIDTA budget dollars expended. For 

every $1 of HIDTA funds invested in West Texas law enforcement, DTOs’ are impacted 54

times. This table represents the value of directing federal resources to the Southwest Border,

targeting the transshipment of drugs before they reach the marketplace, and having the 

greatest impact on disrupting the profitability of DTOs attempting to transship drugs into and

throughout the United States. 

9. Core Table 9—Prosecution Output and Outcomes, for CY 2005 

Table 9: Prosecution Outputs and Outcomes 

This core table presents the baseline number of investigations handled in 2004 and 

the actual number handled thereafter. The desired outcome is to investigate, arrest, and 

prosecute drug traffickers. The West Texas HIDTA Prosecution Initiative was created to 

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West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

fund a solution to the overwhelmed prosecution systems in West Texas. Many cases are 

prosecuted through Federal courts. So much so that the Federal judges in West Texas 

operate with some of the highest case loads in the country. The same can be said for the US 

Attorneys. The Prosecution Initiative addresses this problem by prosecuting many drug 

trafficking cases (mostly developed through HIDTA initiatives) through state courts. In 

some cases the state system is a preferred route for prosecution due to expectations of higher 

sentencing. Changes in court protocol between 2004 and 2005 led to a reduction in cases 

handled. 

10. Core Table 10—Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs

Dismantled in 2005, by Size. 

Table 10: Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled, 2005 

This core table calculates the estimated value for a dismantled Clandestine 

Methamphetamine laboratory based on the wholesale price9

 of an ounce of 

Methamphetamine in a HIDTA’s region. Methamphetamine laboratories have not been as 

prevalent in West Texas, as seen in other parts of the country. That being said, the use of 

methamphetamine appears to be slightly on the rise. HIDTA initiatives are not the primary 

responders to methamphetamine labs in West Texas. 

15
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

11. Core Table 11—HIDTA Clandestine Laboratory Activities, 2005

Table 11: Clandestine Activities, 2005 

This core table reports the baseline number of laboratory dump sites, 

chemical/glassware seizures, and the number of children potentially affected by those sites. 

This table requires the HIDTA to project how many of each will be identified in the

upcoming year. Since West Texas HIDTA initiatives are not the primary responders to

methamphetamine labs, no projections have been made. 

16
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

B. Performance Measures for Goal 2

1. Core Table 12—HIDTA Training Efficiency by Year and Type of

Training 

Table 12: HIDTA Training Efficiency

This core table reports the number and type of training courses, hours, as well as the 

number of students who will attend those courses that were planned to be conducted by 

HIDTA staff or other sources. The West Texas Region has two approaches to providing 

necessary training to HIDTA participants. The first is to import free or low cost drug law

enforcement training to agencies in the region. This training is coordinated and hosted by 

HIDTA and addresses the broad based drug enforcement needs of the overall HIDTA area. 

The second method is allow HIDTA initiatives to utilize HIDTA funds for travel and training 

costs to meet the specific training and development needs of the individual HIDTA 

initiatives. Training opportunities were reduced in 2005 due to the military deployment of 

the West Texas Training Coordinator. The West Texas Region has been highly efficient in 

providing relevant drug enforcement training to 358 officers and agents at a cost of only $12 

per training hour. 

17
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

2. Core Table 13—Percentage of HIDTA Initiatives Using Event and 

Case Deconfliction Services, for CY 2005 

Table 13: HIDTA Deconfliction Services, 2005

This core table quantifies the number of HIDTA initiatives using either event or

case/subject deconfliction services. The desired outcome is to implement a system for realtime exchange of information, and to ensure officer safety. Two West Texas initiatives are 

not operational (Management & Coordination, and the West Texas HIDTA Training 

Program), and are not included in this table. Both, event and subject, deconfliction services

are provided through the West Texas ISC. The event deconfliction service is SAFTNET, a

service collaborated with the Gulf Coast HIDTA and shared by many other HIDTAs. 

Several years ago, the West Texas Regional Executive Committee established a policy 

making it mandatory that all agencies participating in the West Texas HIDTA program and 

receiving funds from ONDCP, agree to issue an agency/division wide directive mandating 

the use of the SAFTNET event deconfliction system and to share intelligence with the ISC. 

This mandate ensures the systems are not only used by HIDTA initiatives, but for any agency 

investigative operation being conducted in the Region. The Executive Committee feels that 

event deconfliction service is a critical officer safety issue not limited to HIDTA alone. 

18
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

3. Core Table 14—Percentage of Event and Case Deconflictions 

Submitted, for CY 2005. 

Table 14: HIDTA Deconfliction Submissions, 2005

This core table reports the number of submissions to the HIDTA for event and 

case/subject deconflictions per year since 2004 (baseline). Deconfliction services are at the 

core of operations for a HIDTA ISC. Deconfliction, simply stated, is the foundation of 

intelligence sharing efforts. 

Since inception, in 1997, the West Texas ISC has continued to grow and expand its

services to the West Texas HIDTA area, and beyond. Use of the ISC continues to grow as

agencies in the region are trained in the services and learn to trust the consolidated, 

cooperative effort. The efforts of the West Texas Executive Committee, the ISC Managers,

and the HIDTA Director have paid off. 

0

10000

20000

30000

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Figure 3: Target Deconfliction 

Services

Target

Deconfliction

Inquiries

Targets

Deconflicted

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Figure 2: Event Deconfliction Services

Event

Deconfliction

Inquiries

Events

Deconflicted

19
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

4. Core Table 15—Percentage of Investigations Provided Analytical 

Support, for CY 2005 

Table 15: Investigations Supported, 2005 

This core table quantifies the amount of analytical support being provided by the 

HIDTA. The desired outcome is to implement a system for real-time exchange of 

information. Analytical support refers to toll, mapping, link analysis, document analysis, and 

other similar activities supporting an enforcement effort or prosecution. For planning 

purposes, the West Texas Region utilized previous investigative support data to determine a

target amount. With the continued development of the West Texas ISC, investigative 

support has improved over 600% since 2003. In 2005, the number of amount of analytical 

support provided by the intelligence initiative remained stable. This can be expected, since 

funding and participation for the initiative remained unchanged for 2005. Leaders of the ISC

expect the number of supported investigations to continue to increase as the West Texas ISC 

grows more and more as the central hub for all investigative support for the Region. CY 

2004 data is used to establish the baseline. 

20
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

5. Core Table 16—Percentage of HIDTA Initiative Investigations

Referred to Other HIDTAs and Other Agencies, for CY 2005 

Table 16: HIDTA Affiliated Cases Referred, 2005

This core table examines the extent to which information is shared within the law 

enforcement community. The table provides a means to account for investigations referred 

both to other HIDTAs as well as to outside agencies. The desired outcome is to implement a 

system for real-time exchange of information. Many of the West Texas Region initiatives 

develop cases that have a nexus to other parts of the country. This is reflected in the high 

volume of cases that are referred or handed off to other HIDTAs or other agencies. HIDTA 

initiatives in West Texas are not the sole producer of drug investigations in the region. There 

are several other agency groups and units organized to conduct drug investigations. For 

example, DEA has several groups assigned that are not associated with HIDTA initiatives,

but work cooperatively and effectively with the HIDTA. Often, an investigation will 

produce a spin-off case that is referred to groups and units within some of the HIDTA 

participating agencies. Many of the cases identified as referred, are handed off to

counterparts in other cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles, or New 

York, to name a few. 

21
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

C. Threat Specific and Need Specific Tables: 

1. Threat Specific Table 17: Fugitives Targeted and Apprehended, for 

CY 2005 

West Texas - SWB HIDTA Fugitives Targeted and Apprehended, 2005 

Year # Identified # Targeted 

% 

Targeted 

of 

Identified 

# Apprehended Apprehended % of 

Targeted 

2004 11400 1500 13% 2061 137% 

2005 6063 2000 33% 2793 140% 

Table 17: Fugitives Targeted and Apprehended, 2005

This threat specific table illustrates the number of federal fugitives identified, targeted 

and apprehended on a year-by-year basis. The desired outcome is to investigate, arrest and 

prosecute federal fugitives. The West Texas HIDTA Fugitive/Violent Offender Task Force 

is uniquely organized to target and apprehend the most wanted fugitives from, and residing 

in, the West Texas Region. This initiative has made it a priority to apprehend drug 

trafficking fugitives, specifically targeting individuals related to CPOT organizations and 

those tied to OCDETF investigations. In April 2005, the West Texas HIDTA Fugitive Task 

Force played an important role in the USMS nationwide fugitive roundup effort – Operation 

FALCON. In West Texas, Operation FALCON, a week long roundup operation netted 83 

arrests and cleared 216 outstanding warrants in the area. This highly effective initiative also 

works in conjunction with the Mexico US Marshals Office and Mexican officials to locate, 

apprehend, and extradite known fugitives attempting to escape U.S. law by fleeing to 

Mexico. 

2. Threat Specific Table 18: Felony Arrests by HIDTA Initiatives, for 

CY 2005 

West Texas - SWB HIDTA Felony Arrests by Year 

Year # Targeted # Felony Drug 

Offenders 

# Felony NonDrug Offenders Total # Felony 

Arrests 

Arrests % of 

Targeted 

2004 3,500 3,012 1,253 4,265 122% 

2005 4,000 2,645 1,821 4,466 112% 

Table 18: HIDTA Felony Arrests for CY 2005

 This threat specific table quantifies the total number of felony drug and non-drug 

violator arrests for CY 2005 by HIDTA initiatives. The targeted number of arrests was 

identified through historical analysis. This table shows the significant impact of HIDTA in 

West Texas against those who choose to commit drug and violent crimes. 

22
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

3. Need Specific Table 19: Use of Skills from HIDTA Intelligence 

Training Sessions, for CY 2005. 

West Texas - SWB HIDTA Use of Skills from HIDTA Intelligence Training 

Sessions 

Year # Agencies 

Participating 

# Students 

Trained 

# Training 

Hours 

Provided 

# Users of 

New Skills 

% Students 

Using New 

Skills (ISC 

services) 

2004 30 230 706 56 24% 

2005 30 248 812 43 17% 

Table 19: Use of Skills from HIDTA Intelligence Training Sessions

This need specific table is used to identify Intelligence Training sessions directly 

provided by, and benefiting, the HIDTA ISC. Information will be collected in upcoming 

years to demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence training. Training developed and 

presented by the ISC is an important tool for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of 

intelligence sharing. This training develops the skills of analysts associated with the ISC, 

and promotes understanding and trust of the ISC’s capabilities among its users. 

4. Need Specific Table 20, for CY 2005: Intelligence Driven Cases. 

West Texas - SWB HIDTA Intelligence Driven Cases 

Year 

Baseline # 

Cases 

Generated 

# Cases 

Strategically 

Supported 

# Cases 

Tactically 

Supported 

Total 

Cases 

Supported 

% Cases 

Supported 

2004 718 121 526 647 90% 

2005 802 150 320 470 59% 

 Table 20: Intelligence Driven Cases

 One of the core features of the HIDTA program is improve the efficiency and 

effectiveness of law enforcement. Investigations driven by intelligence are presumed to be 

more effective investigations. The “Baseline # Cases Generated” represents the total number 

of cases generated by West Texas Region initiatives during 2005. Throughout 2005, 59% of 

those cases received strategic and tactical intelligence support through the West Texas 

Investigative Support Center, indicating a high level of intelligence driven cases. Many 

cases generated by West Texas initiatives represent a set of cases that were targets of 

opportunity, and required little intelligence coordination for success. These are often 

interdiction related cases. 

23
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

5. Need Specific Table 21, for CY 2005: HIDTA Sponsored Training 

Sessions. 

West Texas - SWB HIDTA Training Sessions, 2005 

Type of Training # 

Courses 

# Students 

Trained 

Pre- and Posttraining 

Tests** (Y/N) 

Analytical/ Computer 0 0 Y 

Investigative/ 

Interdiction 6 201 Y 

Management/ 

Administrative 3 50 N 

Total 9 251 N/A 

Table 21: HIDTA Hosted Training Sessions, 2005

 This table demonstrates the amount of training coordinated and hosted by the West 

Texas Region. This is training that was imported to the area, from various resources, to meet 

a training need not being addressed by participating agencies. Most of the participating 

agencies in West Texas have their own training program. However, each individual agency 

training plan addresses the overall needs and priorities of the respected agency. No other 

entity in West Texas seeks to provide training targeted to specifically improving drug 

enforcement. The HIDTA Training Program develops a training plan to address unmet drug 

enforcement training needs, and coordinates with outside sources to meet the identified needs 

for the area. 

6. Need Specific Table 22, for CY 2005: Leveraged Agency Return on 

Investment of HIDTA Resources. 

West Texas - SWB HIDTA Resources leveraged by HIDTA Funds, 

Return on Investment 

 

HIDTA 

Funding 

Resources 

Baseline 

Leveraged 

ROI 

State & 

Local 

Agency 

Resources

Federal 

Agency 

Resources 

Total 

Agency 

Resources 

Leveraged 

Leveraged 

Return on 

Investment 

(ROI) 

2004 $8,117,895 $6 $6,312,374 $43,982,350 $50,294,724 620% 

2005 $8,008,018 $6 $6,393,374 $43,229,701 $49,623,075 620% 

2006 $0 

Table 22: Resources Leverage by HIDTA Funds, ROI

Funding from the HIDTA program provides a mechanism for focusing many agency 

resources toward the common HIDTA program goals. Due to HIDTA, agency resources are 

directed toward a planned, coordinated effort to target drug traffickers in West Texas. While 

HIDTA provided a total of $8,008,018 in funding for FY 05, agencies directed about $50 

million in their own resources toward the HIDTA effort. These resources include 186

agency funded personnel assigned full-time to HIDTA task forces, as well as 1,078 part-time 

24
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

participants. Federal agencies provide resources such as facilities, agents and support 

personnel dedicated HIDTA task forces, vehicles, and many other equipment and services. 

Local agencies also provide facilities for initiatives. For example, the El Paso County 

Sheriff’s office provides access and use of its Training Academy facilities for support of the 

West Texas Region’s Training Program. State and local agencies also dedicate full-time 

officers, detectives and support personnel to each HIDTA initiative. There are many agency 

resources provided – such as database information and intelligence – that cannot be 

quantifiably measured. The impact of HIDTA in West Texas is that the program clearly

focuses the priorities of each agency into a single comprehensive strategy. 

25
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

VII. Conclusions 

CY 2005 marks the second year that the West Texas Region of the Southwest Border 

HIDTA has reported initiative operational targets and subsequent outcomes using the new

Performance Management Process (PMP) efficiency and effectiveness performance 

measurement tables spread throughout this Annual Report. These graphic presentations 

illustrate how both of West Texas Region’s goals are well on target. Clear evidence of 

successful initiative productivity is present throughout the report, and one must conclude the 

inescapable . . . drug availability is being reduced, DTOs are being disrupted or dismantled 

(Goal 1), and these accomplishments are being done efficiently, effectively and at less 

budgetary cost through HIDTA sponsored information sharing and training (Goal 2). 

Cheaper, of course, is not necessarily better. Merely because an initiative improves 

its performance without increased funding does not prove efficiency or effectiveness by 

itself. We must work smarter, not harder. Positive outcomes can also be illustrated by

positive behavioral changes exhibited by West Texas Region participants. Key questions to

be asked . . . are law enforcement agencies working together better and more effectively? Is 

information reaching the people who need it? Have traditional barriers among different law

enforcement agencies been eroded sufficiently that these entities can find a common ground 

to pursue common goals? Are we making REAL progress in addressing illicit drug 

trafficking? Has the West Texas Region – SWB HIDTA contributed to achieving these 

outcomes? The results set forth in this CY 2005 Annual Report suggest that all these 

questions can be answered “YES”. 

Historically, it was uncommon for diverse law enforcement entities to share strategic 

or operational information. Many agencies feared a breach of security or confidentiality if 

they permitted “outsiders” to look at confidential files. Naturally, this foreclosed many 

opportunities to avoid duplication of effort, and one can only speculate about how many drug 

and other violent crimes remain unsolved because information held by one department or 

agency was never shared with another. Fortunately, in the 15 years that the West Texas

Region – SWB HIDTA has been in existence, there has been a steady development in the 

number of initiatives, quality of initiatives, number of participant agencies in each initiative,

number of queries or data elements shared through the West Texas ISC, number of 

interactions between law enforcement, intelligence and prosecution activities, and a 

significant increase in cooperative, efficient and effective interagency effort. 

The bottom line . . . interagency barriers have steadily fallen. 

Technology is also facilitating this behavioral transition. Disparate database files that 

could not be connected in the past now communicate, over high-speed computer networks to 

share data and facilitate joint law enforcement, intelligence, and prosecution initiatives. In

the past, each agency worked within their own stove-pipe data systems. The concept of the 

HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC) broke open the stove pipes, conjoined those 

systems that could be linked, and combined the data systems of all agencies together in one 

location, providing access to every law enforcement entity in the region. 

26
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

With support from the West Texas Investigative Support Center, law enforcement 

initiatives operating in West Texas continue to make significant progress in identifying, 

investigating and dismantling the most dangerous and prolific drug traffickers and money 

launderers operating in the region. As the tables and charts presented throughout this report 

clearly attest, West Texas Region initiatives have achieved their primary Goal 1 objectives. 

Illicit drug availability has been severely reduced, especially for destination cities. 

Some highlights include seizing over 13 kilograms of heroin, over 2,600 kilograms of 

cocaine, over 16 kilograms of methamphetamine, and, astoundingly, over 199,000 kilograms 

of marijuana. Additionally significant quantities of miscellaneous other drugs were seized.

These seizures equated to approximately $325 million in street value . . . a staggering amount

removed from the market place. These seizures, coupled with drug asset seizures exceeding

$13,655,000, have put a major crimp in DTO activities. One hundred twenty three DTOs

were either severely disrupted or totally put out of business. Overall, the cost of doing 

business for the West Texas Region’s DTOs has been increased by over $339,000,000. All

this was accomplished with fewer dollars spent. . . precisely the results sought. 

The West Texas Region is extremely pleased that its initiatives comply fully with the

precepts of Goals 1 and 2. Namely, they have been extremely efficient and effective in 

achieving their results to date, and continue to improve going forward. Through continued 

development and improvement of infrastructure and strategic planning, the West Texas 

Region leadership has set the foundation for continued, long term improvement in

cooperative law enforcement efforts. During the early years the HIDTA program in West

Texas, HIDTA leadership had been focused on developing the necessary infrastructure and 

strategy for success. CY 2004 marked a positive turning point in the West Texas Region’s

outstanding history of fighting illicit drug activities, and stands as a benchmark year for 

measuring the effectiveness of the program in the years to come. HIDTA leadership, both 

nationally and locally, envisioned an organization that could do even more than had been 

accomplished in previous years. Leadership saw an organization that could improve and

become even more productive. 

For several years the West Texas Region has been developing the necessary 

technology and expertise to facilitate strategic planning to maximize its operational results. 

The West Texas Region’s leadership saw that the initiatives now need to make more use of

these tools through more training, and through even greater agency participation than had 

been experienced in the past. During CY 2004, the West Texas Region’s Mission and Goals 

were refined, and the organization developed a clear Vision of where it wanted to be, and

what it wanted to accomplish for the foreseeable future. Through years of development, a 

shift in the organizational paradigm has taken place based on recognizing that operational 

effectiveness can and should be measured and held up to the light of accountability.

Measurable results for each federal dollar spent . . . this principle was adopted as a 

key component of the new West Texas Region’s focus on meaningful outcomes. As of CY 

2004 and going forward, this is one of the main principles that now guide how every West 

Texas initiative approaches its effort to reduce drug crime and its harmful consequences. 

More than 20 federal, state and local agencies in the West Texas Region participate in the

West Texas Region’s law enforcement, investigative support, and prosecution initiatives.

27
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Proactive thinking is also the touchstone of West Texas Region’s local support as staff strives 

to foster efficiency and effectiveness among and between the initiatives under its guidance, 

through interagency cooperation and information sharing. The results have been 

demonstrated. For every dollar of HIDTA funds invested in West Texas, the program sees a

620% return on investment of federal, state, and local agency resources also being directed 

towards the mission and goals of HIDTA. 

Step one in the West Texas Region – SWB HIDTA strategy for the preceding year 

was to develop goals and objectives that each initiative could embrace, with measurable 

outputs and outcomes that could form the basis for a reasonable means of self assessment and 

evaluation. The national HIDTA goals provided the roadmap. The West Texas Executive

Committee and Southwest Border HIDTA Executive Board carefully considered the nature 

of their activities and provided the vision and mission. Based on many years of direct 

experience in the field, initiative supervisors, agency managers, and West Texas HIDTA staff 

developed the measurable outputs and outcomes. Through training and constant 

reinforcement of the goals and objectives, each initiative was brought on board. West Texas 

Region’s strategy and technology provided the necessary infrastructure to consolidate 

available resources, and provided a platform for intelligence gathering and information 

sharing. Thus, the West Texas Region developed a working multi-agency system, where 

every initiative has a clear set of objectives, and where the cumulative product can be 

measured, evaluated, and fine-tuned as needed. 

Although the West Texas Region has made considerable progress over the past years, 

there is still a great deal of work left to do. The emergence and growth of international interconnected drug trafficking organizations, the continuing unacceptably high levels of drug 

trafficking in the Region, the continuing violent nature of DTOs from Mexico, the continuing 

unacceptably high numbers of federal and state fugitives in the region, are all threats that the 

West Texas Region must continue to address. By bringing together criminal justice 

professionals and developing innovative, effective solutions to the region’s drug threats, the 

West Texas Region of the SWB HIDTA will continue to lead the effort to protect regional 

residents and other regions of the country from the scourge of illegal drugs. 

28
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

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. List of counties participating in the HIDTA 

E. HIDTA PMP Matrix for year of Annual Report 

F. List of West Texas Region initiatives for 2005. 

29
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Figure 4: West Texas Region Organization 

Appendix A: Table of Organization for the SWB – West Texas HIDTA10

Southwest Border HIDTA 

Executive Board 

West Texas Region Executive Committee

Intelligence Initiative

West Texas

Regional Director

Investigative Initiatives Interdiction Initiatives Support Initiatives 

ISC 

AMBBIC

TNIS

Alpine MATF

El Paso MATF

Smuggling Initiative

Transportation TF

Fugitive/Violent Off TF

Enterprise MLI 

STING TF

Operation Lone Star

Stash House TF

WTX M&C Initiative

Prosecution Initiative

Training Program 

30
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Appendix B: Table listing composition of SWB HIDTA Executive Board, and the West 

Texas Executive Committee showing local, state and federal affiliation. 

West Texas Region Executive Committee

Committee Member Rank/Title 

State, Local or 

Federal 

Affiilation Agency Name 

Mike Troyanski 

(Chair) 

Asst. Chief 

Deputy 

Federal United States Marshal Service 

Jimmy Apodaca 

(Vice-Chair) 

Chief Deputy Local El Paso County Sheriff’s Office 

Chris Rodriquez Captain State Texas Department of Public Safety, 

Narcotics 

Richard Wiles Chief Local El Paso Police Department 

Zoran Yankovich SAC Federal Drug Enforcement Administration 

Jaime Esparza District 

Attorney 

State 34th Judicial District of Texas 

Margaret Leachman Chief Attorney Federal United States Attorney Office, Western 

District of Texas – El Paso Division 

Manuel Mora SAC Federal Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Robert Gilbert * Chief Federal CBP – Border Patrol, El Paso Sector 

Brock Nicholson Acting SAC Federal Immigration & Customs Enforcement 

* Position rotates annually with Chief, Marfa Sector – Simon Garza. 

31
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Appendix C: List of participating agencies. 

Federal

Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Field Division 

Federal Bureau of Investigation, El Paso Office

Immigration & Customs Enforcement, El Paso Office 

CBP – Border Patrol, El Paso Sector 

CBP – Border Patrol, Marfa Sector 

United States Attorney – Western District of Texas 

United States Marshal Service – Western District of Texas 

National Park Service, Big Bend National Park 

United States Postal Service – Inspections * 

Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division* 

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms* 

State

Texas Department of Public Safety 

Texas Office of the Attorney General 

Texas Board of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General 

Texas National Guard – Counter Drug Program

34th Judicial District of Texas, District Attorney 

Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife* 

Local

El Paso Police Department 

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office 

Brewster County Sheriff’s Office 

Alpine Police Department 

Presidio County Sheriff’s Office 

Culberson County Sheriff’s Office 

Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office 

Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office* 

Terrell County Sheriff’s Office* 

Pecos County Sheriff’s Office* 

* Denotes agencies not listed in initiatives as full or part-time participants, but who participate as needed

and play an important role in HIDTA operations.

32
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Appendix D: List of counties participating in the HIDTA 

Brewster County, Texas 

Crockett County, Texas 

Culberson County, Texas 

El Paso County, Texas 

Hudspeth County, Texas 

Jeff Davis County, Texas 

Pecos County, Texas 

Presidio County, Texas 

Reeves County, Texas 

Terrell County, Texas 

33
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Appendix E: HIDTA PMP Matrix for CY 200511

34
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

Appendix F: West Texas Region Initiatives for 2005 

Investigative Lead Agency

Alpine Multi-Agency HIDTA Task Force DEA 

El Paso Multi-Agency HIDTA Task Force DEA 

West Texas Smuggling Initiative ICE 

West Texas Fugitive/Violent Offender Task Force USMS 

Enterprise Money Laundering Initiative DEA 

West Texas Transportation Task Force DEA 

Interdiction

Operation Lone Star CBP – Border Patrol 

Southwest Trafficking Interdiction Narcotics Group DEA 

West Texas HIDTA Stash House Task Force El Paso P. D. 

Prosecution

West Texas HIDTA Prosecution Initiative 34th District Attorney 

Intelligence

West Texas HIDTA Intelligence Initiative El Paso County S.O. 

 DEA

 FBI

Support 

West Texas HIDTA Management & Coordination 

West Texas HIDTA Training Program

35
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

IX. List of Tables and Charts 

Table 1: Cost Per DTO Disrupted or Dismantled , 2005.................................................... 9 

Table 2: DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005............................................................... 10 

Table 3 Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled, 2005.................... 10 

Table 4 HIDTA Operational Scope, 2005 ........................................................................ 11 

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

Table 6 ROI for Drugs Seized, 2005 ................................................................................ 12 

Table 7: ROI for Assets Seized, 2005............................................................................... 13 

Table 8: Total ROI, 2005.................................................................................................. 14 

Table 9: Prosecution Outputs and Outcomes.................................................................... 14 

Table 10: Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled, 2005 ................................. 15 

Table 11: Clandestine Activities, 2005............................................................................ 16 

Table 12: HIDTA Training Efficiency ............................................................................. 17 

Table 13: HIDTA Deconfliction Services, 2005 .............................................................. 18 

Table 14: HIDTA Deconfliction Submissions, 2005....................................................... 19 

Table 15: Investigations Supported, 2005 ....................................................................... 20 

Table 16: HIDTA Affiliated Cases Referred, 2005.......................................................... 21 

Table 17: Fugitives Targeted and Apprehended, 2005.................................................... 22 

Table 18: HIDTA Felony Arrests for CY 2005................................................................ 22 

Table 19: Use of Skills from HIDTA Intelligence Training Sessions............................. 23 

Table 20: Intelligence Driven Cases................................................................................ 23 

Table 21: HIDTA Hosted Training Sessions, 2005......................................................... 24 

Table 22: Resources Leverage by HIDTA Funds, ROI................................................... 24 

Figure 1: Map, West Texas Area of Responsibility ...........................................5 

Figure 2: Chart, Event Deconfliction Services................................................17 

Figure 3: Chart, Target Deconfliction Services ...............................................17 

Figure 4: Organizational Chart, West Texas Region .........................................26

36
West Texas – Southwest Border HIDTA 2005 Annual Report 

X. Endnotes - Cite the sources of essential information referenced in this report. 

1

 ONDCP National Drug Control Strategy, HIDTA Program.

2 2005 West Texas Region Strategy. 3

 Source: United States Interdiction Coordinator with JTF South. 

4 2005 West Texas Region Threat Assessment. 5

 ONDCP National Drug Control Strategy, HIDTA Program. 

6

 Threat Assessment Executive Summary taken from the 2005 West Texas Region Threat Assessment. 7

 Strategy summary taken from the 2004 West Texas Region Strategy. 8

 NDIC Intelligence Bulletin, National Illicit Drug Prices, December 2005, National Drug Intelligence 

Center, February 2006. 

9

 Methamphetamine cost/ounce provided by the West Texas ISC, source is El Paso Police Department. 

10 As submitted in 2005 West Texas HIDTA Strategy. 

11 2005 West Texas HIDTA PMP Matrix, is inserted for demonstration purposes. A more presentable and

easier to read document can be found on a separate file. For a copy, please contact the West Texas Region, 

SWB HIDTA at (915) 532-9550. 

CPOT – Consolidated Priority Organizational Target 

DTO – Drug Trafficking Organization 

EMLI – Enterprise Money Laundering Initiative 

HIDTA – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area 

ISC – Investigative Support Center 

OCDETF – Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force 

ONDCP – Office of National Drug Control Policy

PMP – Performance Management Process 

ROI – Return on Investment 

RPOT – Regional Priority Organizational Target

SWB HIDTA – Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

37
2005 WEST TEXAS HIDTA PMP MATRIX 

GOAL 1 - Disrupt the Market for Ilegal Drugs by Dismantling or Disrupting Drug Trafficking Organizations 

GEOGRAPHIC AREA SOURCE PERFORMANCE TARGETS ALPINE MULTI-AGENCY TASK

FORCE

EL PASO MULTI-AGENCY TASK

FORCE

W. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION 

T/F

ENTERPRISE MONEY 

LAUNDERING INITIATIVE

W. TEXAS FUGITIVE/VIOLENT

OFFENTER T/F

There are 13 international multi-drug DTOs identified TARGET 100% OF IDENTIFIED NATIONAL DTOs AND DISMANTLE 15% OR DISRUPT 30% OF THOSE TARGETED √ √ √ √ √ 

There are 107 multi-state multi-drug DTOs identified TARGET 100% OF IDENTIFIED REGIONAL DTOs AND DISMANTLE 10% OR DISRUPT 30 % OF THOSE TARGETED √ √ √ √ √ 

There are 33 local multi-drug DTOs identified TARGET 100% OF IDENTIFIED LOCAL DTOs AND DISRUPT 50% OF THOSE TARGETED √ 

Multi-kilogram quantities of illegal drugs are trafficked within and 

throughout the West Texas HIDTA region ROI OF $60 FOR DRUGS SEIZED √ √ √ 

Millions of dollars of illegal dangerous drug money flows through the 

West Texas HIDTA Region ROI OF $2 FOR ASSETS SEIZED √ √ √ √ 

Multi-kilogram quantities of illegal drugs and millions of dollars of assets 

are trafficked within and throughout the West Texas HIDTA region ROI OF $62 FOR DRUGS AND ASSETS SEIZED √ √ √ √ 

37 DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING DTOs IDENTIFIED TARGET 100% OF IDENTIFIED DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING DTOs AND DISMANTLE OR DISRUPT 30% OF THOSE IDENTIFIED √ √ √ √ 

X MULTI-TON QUANTITIES OF ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE SMUGGLED AT THE 

REGION'S 7 POEs BY VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS 

SEIZE 170 TONS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS; IDENTIFY DTOs RESPONSIBLE 

FOR SHIPMENTS AND INITIATE INVESTIGATIONS √ √ √ 

X MULTI-TON QUANTITIES OF ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE SMUGGLED 

BETWEEN THE REGION'S 7 POEs BY VEHICLES, PACK ANIMALS AND 

BACKPACKERS 

SEIZE 170 TONS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS; IDENTIFY DTOs RESPONSIBLE 

FOR SHIPMENTS AND INITIATE INVESTIGATIONS √ 

X MULTI-TON QUANTITIES OF ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE SMUGGLED INTO THE 

REGION PACKAGED AND STASHED AWAITING TRANSHIPMENT TO 

MAJOR U.S. CITIES 

SEIZE 170 TONS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS; IDENTIFY DTOs RESPONSIBLE 

FOR SHIPMENTS AND INITIATE INVESTIGATIONS √ √ 

PROLIFERATION OF DRUG RELATED AND VIOLENT GANGS, AS OF 

3/11/04 THERE ARE 457 KNOWN STREET, PRISON, AND SMALL TIME 

GANGS 

IDENTIFY, INVESTIGATE AND REFER FOR INVESTIGATION 80 CASES 

INVOLVING DRUG AND VIOLENT GANGS 

DRUG RELATED CRIME AGAINST RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS IN 

THE WEST TEXAS HIDTA REGION 

IDENTIFY AND ARREST 4000 OFFENDERS INVOLVED IN DRUG 

RELATED CRIMES AFFECTING RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS IN 

THE WEST TEXAS HIDTA REGION 

√ √ √ √ √ 

X V 3500 DRUG TRAFFICKING FUGITIVES ARE SUSPECTED TO RESIDE IN THE REGION ARREST 2000 VIOLENT FELONY DRUG TRAFFICKING FUGITIVES √ 

NON HIDTA-

TARGETED

THREAT A DRUG RELATED PUBLIC CORRUPTION BY FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCALCRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER THREAT ASSESS- MENT CURRENTLY HANDLED BY A NON-HIDTA GROUP 

THREAT ASSESSMENT STRATEGY & BUDGET

WEST TEXAS HIDTA REGION

HIDTA- TARGETED THREAT 

THREAT DESCRIPTION 

INVESTIGATIVE 

THREAT 

ASSESSMENT 

DTO 

REPORT