News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2003
Contact: S/A David Jacobson

High Ranking Official From Indian Narcotics
Control Bureau Visits DEA Detroit

Detroit, MI - On March 26, 2003, Deputy Director General A.P. Kala of the Indian Narcotics Control Bureau (INCB) visited the Detroit office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to exchange information on an international poly-drug investigation being conducted by the two agencies. DEA Detroit Enforcement Group Four initiated the investigation in October 2001, which targeted members of an international narcotics syndicate responsible for importing millions of Ecstasy tablets (MDMA), thousands of pounds of hashish, and large quantities of heroin into the United States from various parts of the world.

The DEA Detroit Office was able to introduce an undercover Special Agent to members of the organization. Intelligence information gained from undercover negotiations led to the identification of narcotics suppliers and conspirators in The Netherlands, India, Austria, Germany, Poland and the United States. With the assistance of DEA offices throughout Western Europe and law enforcement agencies in that area of the world, investigators have made multiple drug seizures and arrests. This investigation resulted in court authorized wiretaps conducted by police agencies in four foreign countries. That resulted in the seizure of 1.8 million tablets of Ecstasy in Germany and 1700 pounds of hashish in the United States. Approximately 12 arrests have been made and drug-related assets worth millions of dollars will likely be seized in other countries.

Deputy Director General Kala's visit to Detroit exemplified the close working relationship enjoyed by the Indian Narcotics Control Bureau and the DEA. This case marked the first time that law enforcement in India shared evidence obtained from wiretap intercepts with the DEA, which resulted in the investigation expanding to other countries. The INCB was pleased that additional evidence surfaced during the investigation concerning an Indian citizen who had long been under investigation for hashish smuggling; but previous investigation had failed to result in his arrest.

"This investigation clearly demonstrates the critical value of our DEA offices overseas and the relationships we enjoy with our law enforcement counterparts around the globe. Drug trafficking is truly an international criminal enterprise that requires international law enforcement cooperation," said Michael A. Braun, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division.