CNMI and Guam petition to form coalition with Hawaii to combat drug trafficking through HIDTA program

Attorney General Edward Manibusan and Attorney General Leevin T. Camacho have jointly petitioned seeking High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designations under the Hawaii HIDTA. The petitions were submitted on June 12, 2020 to the National Office of Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C.

The HIDTA program was created by Congress in accordance with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The program provides financial assistance, support, and law enforcement intelligence to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and territories operating in regions determined to be affected by drug trafficking, with the aim of reducing illegal drug trafficking and production.

“Fighting the drug crisis in the CNMI and Guam requires unified efforts at the local and federal levels,” says AG Manibusan. “Given Hawaii HIDTA designation, the CNMI and Guam Petitioners will be able to rise above the challenges in the fight against drug importation, interdiction, and prosecution,” concluded the Attorney General.

“This time we recognized that working with the CNMI and Hawai’i would be the most effective way of disrupting the flow of drugs into our islands,” says AG Camacho. “Working with General Manibusan and Executive Director Gary Yabuta on this petition was an important first step in a regional collaboration of local and federal law enforcement efforts.”

With limited resources and our islands’ close proximity to Asian countries where drug use and manufacturing are rampant, a HIDTA designation will magnify our efforts in addressing drug trafficking and drug-related crimes. With the support and encouragement of Hawaii HIDTA, the Attorneys General for the CNMI and Guam shared information and ideas on how to best approach our ambition in obtaining a HIDTA designation. A HIDTA designation under Hawaii will allow the CNMI and Guam and Hawaii to collaborate and share federal resources including access to federal funds, provide training and share information to combat drug importation and distribution, reduce drug-related crimes, and increase enforcement efforts.

CNMI Law Enforcement Submits HIDTA Petition

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, Secretary of Finance Larrisa Larson, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero, Customs Service Director Jose Mafnas and members of CNMI’s law enforcement agencies met for a brief presentation by Attorney General Edward Manibusan on Friday, July 6, at the Governor’s conference room.

A collaborative effort between CNMI local law enforcement agencies comprising of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety, Division of Customs Service and the Commonwealth Ports Police resulted in a submission on July 3, 2018, a Petition for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designation with the National Office of Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C.

The HIDTA program was created by Congress in accordance with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Federal financial assistance is provided to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies and territories operating in regions determined to be affected by drug trafficking and aims to reduce illegal drug trafficking and production.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan states, “The CNMI has seen an increase in the use, manufacturing, and trafficking of illegal drugs. The illicit trade heavily impacts the CNMI by increasing violent crimes, placing families in jeopardy and perpetuating fear in the community.” He continues, “As each branch of the Commonwealth government and community stakeholders have made efforts to address the drug problems, the CNMI is limited in resources and due to our remote location, we are faced with unique obstacles.” “Given HIDTA designation and federal support and collaboration, the Petitioners will be able to rise above the challenges in the fight against drug importation, interdiction, and prosecution,” the AG concludes.

The Petition was made with the support of CNMI Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, Senate President Arnold I. Palacios, US House of Representative Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan, Secretary of Finance Larrisa Larson, and Drug Court Manager TaAnn Kabua-Demapan.

View PDF here.