News

USIS Washington File

02 June 2000

Text: Drug Czar McCaffrey on the Designation of Foreign Drug "Kingpins"

(U.S. sanctions will complement multilateral efforts, he says) (530)

Gen. Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National
Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), says that the new U.S. law imposing
sanctions on major foreign drug traffickers will complement the
Clinton Administration's efforts to coordinate with other countries in
the war against illegal drugs.

"We continue to work closely with foreign governments in confronting
drug traffickers ... and we are extremely pleased at growing
multilateral and bilateral efforts, including sharing of information
and enforcement," McCaffrey said in a June 2 statement.

On June 1, President Clinton identified 12 major foreign drug
traffickers who will be subject to financial and other economic
sanctions under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which
the president signed into law in December 1999.

Following is the text of McCaffrey's statement:

(begin text)

Statement of Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey on the Designation of Drug
Kingpins

June 2, 2000

(Washington, D.C.) -- White House National Drug Policy Director Barry
R. McCaffrey today welcomed the President's designation of twelve
narcotics "Kingpins" pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin
Designation Act.

Director McCaffrey stated, "Drug traffickers named on the list will be
subject to economic and other financial sanctions provided in the Act.
The designated 'Kingpins' and their organizations will be denied the
benefits of access to the U.S. financial system and to trade and
transactions involving U.S. businesses and individuals. Their assets
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States will be blocked, and
U.S. persons will be prohibited from engaging in any dealings with the
designated 'Kingpins,' as well as their front companies and agents."

"The National Drug Control Strategy directs that Federal agencies
support global efforts to disrupt the flow of dirty money, track
criminal sources of funds, forfeit ill-gained assets and prosecute
offenders," said McCaffrey. "The Foreign Narcotic Kingpin Designation
Act will be a major tool for Federal Law Enforcement as it continues
to disrupt and dismantle international drug trafficking organizations.
We will now have improved tools to deny these criminals their illicit
profits and track them down, no matter where they may hide."

The Act is designed to build upon the earlier successful application
of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to
Colombian Cartels. In past years, the use of IEEPA has proven to be a
major factor in preventing Colombian drug trafficking organizations
from subverting legitimate businesses.

Director McCaffrey concluded, "We continue to work closely with
foreign governments in confronting drug traffickers. We are respectful
of the sovereignty of nations as an important ingredient in our
counterdrug efforts, and we are extremely pleased at growing
multilateral and bilateral efforts including sharing of information
and enforcement." We will expect the application of sanctions under
this Act to continue those multilateral and bilateral successes.

The Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which mandates today's
action, was included in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2000, that President Clinton signed into law on December 3, 1999.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)