[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 48657-48658] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-24535] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Office of National Drug Control Policy Designation of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas AGENCY: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice lists two (2) counties in New Mexico designated by the Director of National Drug Control Policy, as additions to the Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The Southwest Border HIDTA in New Mexico currently consists of Bernalillo, Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, Dona Ana, Eddy, Lea, and Otero Counties. The additional counties in New Mexico are Chaves and Lincoln. HIDTAs are domestic regions identified as having the most critical drug trafficking problems that adversely affect the United States. These new counties are designated pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 1504(c), as amended, to promote more effective coordination of drug control efforts. This action will support local, New Mexico, and Federal law enforcement officers in assessing regional drug threats, designing strategies to combat the threats, developing initiatives to implement the strategies, and evaluation of the effectiveness of these coordinated efforts. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments and questions regarding this notice should be directed to Mr. Richard Y. Yamamoto, Director, HIDTA, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President, Washington, D.C. 20503; 202-395-6755. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1990, the Director of ONDCP designated the first five HIDTAs. These original HIDTAs, areas through which most illegal drugs enter the United States, are the Southwest Border, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, and South Florida. In 1994, the Director designated the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA to address the extensive drug distribution networks serving hardcore drug users. Also in 1994, the Director designated Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands as a HIDTA based on the significant amount of drugs entering the United States through this region. In 1995, the Director designated three more HIDTAs in Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia/Camden to target drug abuse and drug trafficking in those areas. [[Page 48658]] Five new HIDTAs have been designated in 1997. These are: the Gulf Coast HIDTA (includes parts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi); the Lake County, Indiana HIDTA, the Midwest HIDTA (includes parts of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota, with focus on methamphetamine); the Northwest HIDTA (includes seven counties of Washington State); and the Rocky Mountain HIDTA (includes parts of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming). The program supports more than 150 co-located officer/agent task forces in fifteen regions of the country, including the entire Southwest Border. The HIDTA program strengthens mutually supporting local, State, and Federal drug trafficking and money laundering task forces, bolsters information analysis and sharing networks and, improves integration of law enforcement, drug treatment and drug abuse prevention programs. Dated: September 3, 1997. Barry R. McCaffrey, Director. [FR Doc. 97-24535 Filed 9-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3180-02-P