Dear Representative Duarte,
I am writing on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police members to advise you of our support for H.R. 7185, the “HIDTA Reauthorization Act.”
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was enacted in 1988 to provide additional support to areas with high rates of drug trafficking. Since its enactment, the program has designated over 33 areas as HIDTA locations and coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking. This includes the creation of the Investigative Support Center (ISC), which uses cutting edge technology to analyze and disseminate information about drug cartels. According to HIDTA, in 2022 over 134 criminal organizations were dismantled by HIDTA-Sponsored initiatives and over 8769 kilograms of drugs were removed from the marketplace.
The HIDTA program is key in equipping our officers with the tools necessary to combat the ongoing drug epidemic. Your legislation would provide over $302 million annually for the HIDTA program, increasing its annual budget by over $22 million. This would include the creation of new grant programs that would enhance fentanyl seizure operations and improve coordination between law enforcement agencies, Additionally, this legislation would require the assignment of U.S. attorneys to HIDTA locations, which would ensure that drug traffickers are punished to the full extent of the law.
Our officers face the dangers of drug trafficking every day, and this legislation would help our members continue to serve and protect our citizens. We strongly urge Congress to pass H.R. 7185 to ensure that our officers have access to the crucial tools that the HIDTA program provides.
On behalf of the more than 373,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you for your leadership on this important issue. If I can provide any additional information in support of this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President