Tribal Leaders Discuss Increased DEA Information Sharing to Combat Trafficking

Enhancing Information Sharing with DEA

• 💡 Miss Zen suggests reviving cross-agency annual talks on drug threat management in Indian country, similar to past BIA-led initiatives.
• 🎯 The discussion explored potential coordinating agencies, with a preference for the DEA due to its focus on drugs, cartels, and money laundering, rather than overloaded agencies like the FBI or DHS.
• 🗓️ Information sharing assessments could be conducted monthly or less frequently, adjusting the pace based on the dynamic nature of border changes and shifting drug trafficking landscapes.

Empowering Tribal Judicial Systems

• ⚖️ Chairman Hillair discussed the potential for tribal prosecutors to become special attorneys to the US Attorney, enabling them to prosecute cases at the tribal level.
• 🏠 This approach aims to leverage tribal knowledge of local drug activity and trafficking to alleviate capacity issues within federal agencies.
• 🌐 The concept of a dedicated prosecutor for the Lummy Nation was raised, with acknowledgment that the structure for over 500 federally recognized tribes would require further discussion and regional consideration.

Addressing Prosecutorial Bottlenecks

• 🧑‍⚖️ A key concern raised is the need for more US attorneys to handle the increased caseload that would result from enhanced enforcement and information sharing.
• 📈 Without sufficient legal resources, adding more agents or improving information flow could still lead to bottlenecks in the prosecution process.

Leveraging Technology for Interdiction

• 💻 Chairman Hillair agreed that increased DEA information sharing, facilitated by technology and secure internet channels, would significantly improve interdiction efforts.
• 🤝 The more information available about incoming threats, the better positioned authorities are to intercept drugs and human trafficking, benefiting not just Indian country but the entire United States.