NOFD Intelligence briefs drug threat to local Law Enforcement Leadership

On November 4, 2009, Intelligence Research Specialists (IRS) Chris Ortiz and Dan Warner briefed law enforcement executives in Jefferson Parish, LA on the major drug threats facing the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. This briefing was another in a series that was initiated by the Divisional Intelligence Group several months ago.

Pictured L to R: IRS Warner, Major Dwayne Babin (City of Kenner Police Department), Chief Dwayne Munch (Westwego Police Department), Chief Arthur Lawson (Gretna Police Department), Chief Deputy John Thevinot (Jefferson Parish Sheriff Office) and IRS Ortiz.

On October 27, 2009 the Benton Arkansas Police Explorers participated in a law enforcement demonstration at the Little Rock DO. Pictured is SA Keith Warzecha demonstrating compliant/non-compliant handcuffing techniques.

Narcotic Overdose Prevention and Education National Candlelight Vigil

On October 29, 2009, the Narcotic Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE) Task Force held their National Candlelight Vigil in memory of the many lives tragically destroyed or lost to substance abuse. The New Orleans Field Division (NOFD) was invited to attend and participated in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area Chapter of the NOPE Task Force, Candlelight Vigil held at the University of New Orleans. There were several keynote speakers including NOFD Group Supervisor, Warren Rivera. GS Rivera explained DEA’s Mission and the focus of the Demand Reduction Programs such as Red Ribbon week, which places emphasis on Drug Awareness Education and having our children to commit to a Drug Free Life Style.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

On October 28, 2009, the New Orleans Field Division (NOFD) sponsored a surprise reception in the NOFD Training Room to recognize Mr. Roy Bourgeois during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Mr. Bourgeois is hearing impaired and has been employed with the NOFD for eleven years. ASAC Kevin Harrison spoke regarding the valued contributions made by Mr. Bourgeois and many other Disabled Americans to our society and workforce. Mr. Bourgeois was provided gifts containing sports paraphernalia of his favorite athletic teams and he expressed thanks to all those in attendance. The event concluded with cake and refreshments.

New Orleans Chapter of the American Society of Industrial Security

On October 29, 2009, the New Orleans Chapter of the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), held its’ monthly luncheon at a local restaurant. The New Orleans Field Division was invited and Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Jimmy S. Fox III provided the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Mission and how drug trafficking impacts their industry. Field Intelligence Manager (FIM) Henry “Rooster” Richardson and Intelligence Research Specialist (IRS) Jainay Shaw elaborated further on DEA initiatives and Drug Trafficking Trends. (L-R) IRS Shaw, New Orleans Chapter ASIS President Kent Lirette, SAC Fox and FIM Richardson

The Institute for Social Justice held it’s International Crime Summit October 21-24, 2009 at the Hilton St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans, La. The summit’s topic focused on “Global Initiatives in the Prevention of Crime”. The New Orleans Field Division (NOFD) was invited to participate and provide the Drug Enforcement Administration’s initiatives that assist in the Prevention of Drug Related Crimes. The summit had presentations from foreign, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as participants from the several education institutions, religious groups, elected officials and other community organizations.

Special Agent Mark Kiger, New Orleans Field Division Training Coordinator, presented a session on “Illegal Drugs” at the Institute for Social Justice’s International Crime Summit held in New Orleans, La. During the presentation, SA Kiger provided audience guidance in identifying different types of drugs, paraphernalia and behavior associated with drug use and abuse.

NOFD Participants in the New Orleans Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. First Row L-R Michelle Nuss, Joanne Strausbaugh, Michelle Martin, 2nd Row- Connie Cummings and Cara Strausbaugh, 3rd Row-Michelle Lebeau, Kenny Strausbaugh, Gary Schenck, Vickie Schenck, Stephanie Swift.

In the local media outlets, it was reported that the Covington Food Bank was down to only a few days of supplies and it was expected to run out soon as they prepared to go into their busiest season. According to the volunteers at the facility, the shortcomings were at near historic proportions. The Covington Food Bank is managed through All Saints Ministries and serves a three-parish region north of Lake Pontchartrain, serving as many as 700 families during the holidays. The food bank operates with no federal, state or city funding, relying entirely on donations grants and fundraisers. New Orleans Field Division Intelligence Research Specialist, Elisa Blackwell, heard the food bank’s plea to the public for assistance and initiated a drive for food and supplies at the NOFD. The food drive raised $3000.00 worth of food and $200 in cash.

The New Orleans Field Division (NOFD) presented a briefing concerning Eastern European Drug Trafficking Trends to a delegation of Prosecutors from the Republic of Moldova.  From left to right-Prosecutor Viorel Morari, Chief of Criminal Investigation in the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, NOFD Intelligence Research Specialist Chris Ortiz, Prosecutor Cristina Burlac, International Relations and European Integration Division of Prosecutor’s General Office, SAC Jimmy S. Fox III, Prosecutor Mirandolina Susitcaia, Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Gheorge Murgulet, Director of General Criminal Investigation Division, Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption, and Prosecutor Valerii Sircu, Director of Service on Prevention and Combating Money-Laundering and Terrorist Financing, Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption.   

United States Attorney General Eric Holder and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy S. Fox III meeting at the swearing in of Northern District of Alabama, United States Attorney  Joyce White Vance, at the Robert S. Vance Federal Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama.

The New Orleans Field Division (NOFD) held a recruitment booth at the New Orleans Hilton during the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 103rd Anniversary Convention held July 16-18, 2009. Attending to an interested candidate were (from L-R) NOFD Diversion Acting Group Supervisor Alan J. Clesi, DEA Headquarters Section Chief Cheryl Hooper and DEA South Central Laboratory Senior Forensic Chemist Cornell Wilson, Jr.

Diversion Investigators (DI’s) Angela Lee of Jackson District Office and Rita Esquivel New Orleans Field Division gave a presentation to the Louisiana Pharmacist Association about the functions of the DEA Diversion Groups. The conference was July 16-18-2009 in Lake Charles, LA. DI'S Esquivel and Lee also maintained a booth in which educational materials and DEA materials (with the DEA website) were distributed.

SAC Jimmy S. Fox, III presents Certificates of Appreciation to La Quinta Hotel and Suites Management Staff. (L-R) SAC Fox, Angel Hayes, Donnie Hardy and Zach Allen.

New Orleans Field Division and DEA Office of Training presented Certificates of Appreciation to La Quinta Hotels and Suites, the St. Tammany Parish Fire Department and the Louisiana National Guard in their cooperation in hosting the DEA Firearms Instructor Course at Camp Villere, Louisiana. From Left to right: Zach Allen (La Quinta Area Sales & Marketing), Donnie Hardy ( La Quinta Asst. Manager), Angel Hayes (La Quinta Area Manager), SAC Jimmy S. Fox III, Larry Hess (Fire Chief of St. Tammany Fire Protection Dist.#1), Chris Kaufmann (St. Tammany Fire Protection Chief of Administration) and Command Sergeant Major Troy Barron (Camp Villere Post Command Sergeant Major)

Reverend Jesse Turner, Pine Bluff Weed and Seed Program Coordinator addresses the attendees at the “Engaging and Empowering Community Residents” Fun Day. To the left of Reverend Turner is United States Attorney Jane Duke, Eastern District of Arkansas.

Pine Bluff Police Department Chief John Howell (at the podium), addresses the citizens and community leaders of Pine Bluff during their “Engaging and Empowering Community Residents” Fun Day outing. Also present is United States Attorney Jane Duke, Eastern District of Arkansas, standing to the left of Chief Howell. Special Agents, Task Force Officers and the Arkansas National Guard from the Little Rock District Office also participated in this event.

The “National Night Out Against Crime” was held on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Special Agent in Charge Jimmy S. Fox III, New Orleans Field Division (NOFD) was in attendance (Far right). Also attending the annual event was (L-R) GS Roberto E. Bryan, Jr, NOFD Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Jay Favalora with the New Orleans Police Department, 6 th District, Darlene G. Cusanza, Crime Stoppers Executive Director, Billy Kullman, Crime Stoppers President, and Pam Schafer, Crime Stoppers Board Member.

At the conclusion of the New Orleans Field Division’s Diversion Symposium, Special Agent in Charge Jimmy S. Fox III presented Dr. Hal Crossley with a New Orleans Field Division Fleur-de-lis paperweight for his participation in the program.

Guest Speaker Dr. Hal Crossley addresses the crowd in attendance for the New Orleans Field Division’s Diversion Symposium on “The Role of Addiction in Pain Management” held on August 25, 2009.

Attending the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Roundtable Meeting held at the New Orleans Field Division on August 25, 2009 are (L-R), Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurice Landrieu, United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of Louisiana Drug Unit Chief, Jim Letten, U.S. Attorney Eastern District of Louisiana, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Jimmy S. Fox III, Special Agent in Charge of New Orleans Field Division, David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney Middle District of Louisiana, and Tony Soto, Director of Gulf Coast HIDTA.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand (middle facing away) address members of the HIDTA Roundtable, (L-R) SAC Jimmy Fox III, New Orleans Field Division, Director Gil Kerlikowske, ONDCP, Director Tony Soto, Gulf Coast HIDTA and Major General Bennett Landreneau, Adjutant General for the Louisiana Army National Guard.