International Cooperation International cooperation is a critical component of counter-narcotics operations. Because most illicit drugs available in the United States are smuggled in from other areas, collaboration on an international level is essential for decreasing foreign drug production in and transportation from these areas to the United States. International cooperation consists of participating with international organizations that combat illicit drug trafficking and working with individual countries where illicit drugs are produced or trafficked. International Organizations United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) The United Nations U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the primary component of the United Nations that deals with counter-narcotics issues. UNODC “is mandated to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism” (UNODC). In the counter-narcotics arena, it provides technical assistance as well as analysis on the global illicit drug trade. UNODC has three program areas related to counter-narcotics: ·         Field-based technical cooperation projects to enhance the capacity of Member States to counteract illicit drugs, crime and terrorism ·         Research and analytical work to increase knowledge and understanding of drugs and crime issues and expand the evidence base for policy and operational decisions ·         Normative work to assist States in the ratification and implementation of the relevant international treaties, the development of domestic legislation on drugs, crime and terrorism, and the provision of secretariat and substantive services to the treaty-based and governing bodies (UNODC) INTERPOL INTERPOL is an international police organization that works with police agencies from member countries to combat counter-narcotics trafficking. The mission of INTERPOL is straightforward: “Preventing and fighting crime through enhanced international police cooperation” (INTERPOL). The organization operates 24 hours a day to provide information exchange and immediate response to security issues. The United States has a designated contact office in Washington, DC, that houses representatives from over U.S. 20 agencies; requests for INTERPOL assistance are made through this office (INTERPOL).  Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation The United States engages in cooperative efforts with countries involved in illicit drug production and trafficking. These efforts range from diplomatic to foreign aid to law enforcement training to joint operations. U.S. counter-narcotics efforts include assistance to countries to improve the economic and political situations that facilitate drug trafficking. This includes improving the effectiveness judicial, legal, and law enforcement institutions as well as training for law enforcement on effectively carrying out counter-narcotics operations through intelligence collection and analysis strategies as well as technical methods. In countr.

1. International Cooperation
International cooperation is a critical component of counter-
narcotics operations. Because most illicit drugs available in the
United States are smuggled in from other areas, collaboration
on an international level is essential for decreasing foreign drug
production in and transportation from these areas to the United
States. International cooperation consists of participating with
international organizations that combat illicit drug trafficking
and working with individual countries where illicit drugs are
produced or trafficked.
International Organizations
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
The United Nations U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
is the primary component of the United Nations that deals with
counter-narcotics issues. UNODC “is mandated to assist
Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime and
terrorism” (UNODC). In the counter-narcotics arena, it provides
technical assistance as well as analysis on the global illicit drug
trade. UNODC has three program areas related to counter-
narcotics:
· Field-based technical cooperation projects to enhance the
capacity of Member States to counteract illicit drugs, crime and
terrorism
· Research and analytical work to increase knowledge and
understanding of drugs and crime issues and expand the
evidence base for policy and operational decisions
· Normative work to assist States in the ratification and
implementation of the relevant international treaties, the
development of domestic legislation on drugs, crime and
terrorism, and the provision of secretariat and substantive

2. services to the treaty-based and governing bodies (UNODC)
INTERPOL
INTERPOL is an international police organization that works
with police agencies from member countries to combat counter-
narcotics trafficking. The mission of INTERPOL is
straightforward: “Preventing and fighting crime through
enhanced international police cooperation” (INTERPOL). The
organization operates 24 hours a day to provide information
exchange and immediate response to security issues. The United
States has a designated contact office in Washington, DC, that
houses representatives from over U.S. 20 agencies; requests for
INTERPOL assistance are made through this office
(INTERPOL).
Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation
The United States engages in cooperative efforts with countries
involved in illicit drug production and trafficking. These efforts
range from diplomatic to foreign aid to law enforcement
training to joint operations. U.S. counter-narcotics efforts
include assistance to countries to improve the economic and
political situations that facilitate drug trafficking. This includes
improving the effectiveness judicial, legal, and law enforcement
institutions as well as training for law enforcement on
effectively carrying out counter-narcotics operations through
intelligence collection and analysis strategies as well as
technical methods. In countries with significant drug
production, farming alternatives are developed to dissuade
farmers from growing illicit crops.
Drug Majors Presidential Determination and Certification

3. Process
The United States Drug Majors Determination and Certification
Process is the baseline of national-level cooperative efforts. It
provides an annual review of countries to which the United
States provides counter-narcotics assistance. The Drug Majors
are countries designated each year by the President to have
significant counter-narcotics production or trafficking activity.
The certification process entails an evaluation of the efforts of
each of these countries to combat drug trafficking and cooperate
with the United States on counter-narcotics efforts. The
President then designates the countries (if any) that have not put
forth adequate efforts and thus “failed demonstrably during the
previous 12 months to adhere to their obligations under
international counternarcotics agreements” (INCSR 5).
Countries that fail are considered for sanctions from U.S.
counter-narcotics assistance. However, the President has the
power to waive the sanctions in cases vital to the national
interests of the United States. For instance, the 2012
Presidential Determination designated Bolivia, Burma, and
Venezuela as countries that have failed demonstrably; the
President deemed each vital to national interests and support
programs will be continued (INCSR 5).
Major Joint Counter-Narcotics Efforts
International Drug Enforcement Conference—Annual
conference for sharing drug-related information and developing
coordinating strategies to target drug traffickers.
Merida Initiative—An effort between the United States and
Mexico to combat drug trafficking as well as other criminal
activity occurring along the border between the countries and in
Central America.

4. Smuggling in van from Mexico
Source: FBI
Plan Colombia—An effort to combat drug trafficking in
Colombia as well as stop the armed conflict, and promote
economic and social development.
Operation Martillo—Interdiction efforts in the transit zone of
the waters along the Central American isthmus to stop illicit
drugs before they reach the United States.
United States counter-narcotics cooperation with individual
countries is varied. For some countries like Colombia and
Mexico, the U.S. has established long-term programs covering
numerous components of effective counter-narcotics efforts. For
others, bilateral cooperation focuses on joint task forces. For
example, DEA has established task forces of varying size in 11
countries through its Sensitive Investigative Unit “to conduct
field operations and investigations within foreign theaters of
operation where local members of the government or law
enforcement may be corrupt and provide information to
narcotics organizations” (DEA). For others, interaction is
limited to mutual participation in international counter-
narcotics organizations.
Detailed information on each country is found in the State
Department’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.
To gain an understanding of the varied cooperative efforts, skim
through the country sections of this report. Then, read the
sections on some of the countries of importance to the U.S.
counter-narcotics efforts, particularly, Bolivia, Canada,
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico,
Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. We will read the country
information on Afghanistan next week. The Latin America
document in your readings gives a more comprehensive look at

5. cooperative efforts between the United States and countries in
Latin America.
Impediments to Cooperative Efforts
Cooperation requires resources and trust on the part of each
participant. However, even with these, numerous impediments
arise to complicate these efforts. It is difficult to mitigate these
threats completely, so being aware of them is important.
Resources—Many countries have limited resources available for
counter-narcotics efforts and rely on U.S. support to sustain
efforts.
DTO influence—Drug traffickers often have considerable
influence in their communities, either by providing economic
benefits to the area or through intimidation and threats. Either
way, citizens sometimes have greater allegiance to the DTOs
than to the government.
Corruption—The economic (sizable bribes) and security
benefits (cooperate or face deadly consequences) for counter-
narcotics officers from helping drug traffickers often far
outweighs the official obligations.
Poverty—Crop substitution programs often have limited impact
as farmers growing illicit drugs for the traffickers make far less
growing legal commodities.
References:
Department of State. International Narcotics Control Strategy
Report. Washington, DC, March 2013.
Drug Enforcement Administration. Sensitive Investigative

6. Unit. http://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/DEA/a0719/chapter3.ht
m
INTERPOL. http://www.interpol.int/About-
INTERPOL/Overview
U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. http://www.unodc.org/
This forum looks at international cooperative efforts between
the United States and other countries. From it, you will
understand the many aspects of bilateral collaboration. Respond
to the following question:
Select one country Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Peru,
and Venezuela, and explain the impediments to cooperative
efforts.
I look forward to your thoughts!
Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 250 words.