Speakers focused on the continuing importance of the program, calling OCDETF the cornerstone of the Attorney General's drug strategy. Updates included a report that the OCDETF program will return to its original emphasis and focus on only the most significant drug trafficking violators. Senior Customs field and headquarters managers addressed issues as varied as new trends in narcotics money laundering, sophisticated new technology, and emerging drug threats.

In his keynote address, Commissioner Bonner outlined Customs new anti-terrorism initiatives, but reaffirmed that Customs remained committed to a prominent role in the war against drugs. The Commissioner emphasized that Customs post-9/11 investigative, intelligence, and interdiction initiatives have, in fact, complemented and enhanced the organization's efforts to combat drugs.

One of the highlights of the conference was the awards banquet ceremony. It opened with an emotional performance of "Amazing Grace" by the DEA Black and Gold Pipes and Drums Corps. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's address included comments on the role of law enforcement, including narcotics law enforcement in the wake of September 11, and his memories of the creation of the OCDETF program 20 years ago.

As always, however, the best was left for last: Customs figured prominently in the awards ceremony that followed the dinner. Each of the nine OCDETF regions recalled the most outstanding investigation it had conducted during the previous year, and Customs agents were called repeatedly to the stage and recognized for their leadership or participation.

Recognition of the Customs contribution ended with the presentation of the Customs National OCDETF Award to the formidable group of SAIC/New York special agents and task force officers in charge of "Operation Wirecutter," an investigation that led to the dismantling of one of the largest Colombian-based money laundering organizations ever uncovered. Customs agents and prosecutors believe the organization laundered millions of drug trafficking profits over several years.

Deputy Associate Attorney General Karen Tandy noted that the same team had salvaged much of the evidence from the rubble of the Customhouse at 6 World Trade Center. Undeterred by the terrorist attacks, the group went on in the days and weeks that followed to arrest 41 persons, and to seize $7.5 million, 755 kilograms of cocaine, 6.5 kilograms of heroin, and 205 pounds of marijuana.

After the conference, John Varrone, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Investigations, congratulated his staff, saying, "Customs has never before received such extensive recognition at a National OCDETF conference. Once again, Customs special agents and intelligence analysts have made us proud."

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program was created in 1982 to combine and leverage Federal law enforcement assets into a comprehensive attack against significant drug trafficking problems. OCDETF is comprised of special agents from Customs, DEA, FBI, INS, ATF, IRS, the Marshals Service, and the Coast Guard and implemented in nine regions throughout the United States. Though 20 years old, its innovative approach to solving the problems facing law enforcement serves as the model for cooperative investigative efforts.

Award Recipients

NATIONAL OCDETF AWARD RECIPIENTS

"Operation Wirecutter"

SAIC/New York

Group Supv. Linda Kadluboski

Group Supv. John Kane

SA Alysa Erichs

SA John Tobon

SA Joseph Pice

SA Andrew Rakowsky

SA Peter Angelino

SA Martina Zimmerman

SA Jamarle Worilds

SA Ruth Jackson

SA Erik Rosenblatt

SA Rober Castioni

SA Miguel Herrera

ASAIC/Newark

Group Supv. Christopher Ammirati

HQ-SOD

Asst. Dir. Mark Garrand

REGIONAL OCDETF AWARD RECIPIENTS

Florida-Caribbean Region

"Operation Panama Express"

SA Jeff Adams, SAIC/Tampa

Great Lakes Region

"Operation Magic Carpet"

SA James Sinnott, SAIC/Boston

Mid-Atlantic Region

"Operation Shop Light"

SA Steve Snyder, SAIC/Baltimore

Northeast Region

"Operation Vertigo"

SA Thomas Pugliese, SAIC/Boston

SA James Rafferty, SAIC/Boston

SA Kevin Benson, SAIC/Boston

SA Paul Hartigan, SAIC/Boston

SA Timothy McGrath, SAIC/Boston

SA Colleen Forgetta, SAIC/Boston

SA Walter Houghton, SAIC/Boston

IRS Karen Switzer, SAIC/Boston

New York/New Jersey Region

"Operation Phase Two"

SA George Ma, SAIC/New York

SA Matthew Stentz, SAIC/San Diego

SA Frank Day, RAIC/Riverside

Southeast Region

"Operation Knockdown"

SA Roger Jernigan, RAIC/Charlotte