LETTER TO WILLIAM J. CASEY FROM EDWIN MEESE II

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88G01117R000903450002-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 21, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: September 22, 1986
• Content Type: LETTER

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' LXICUTIVE SECRETARIAT
ACTION
INFO
DATE
INITIAL
1
DCI
X
2
DDCI
X
3
EXDIR
4
D/ICS
5
DDI
6
DDA
7
DDO
8
DDSBT
9
Chm/NIC
10
GC
11
IG
12
Compt
13
D/OLL
14
D/PAO
15
D/PERS
16
VC/NIC
17
NIO NARC
D OG
C
2
~2 3 E
22
Remarks To 9: For NIO/NARC action.
ILLEGIB
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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
WASMINGTO'N
22 September 1986
Dear Bill:
Enclosed is a proposed agenda for the next
Policy Board meeting on 24 September 1986, in the
Roosevelt Room at 10:00 a.m. Deferred from the
last meeting is our review of resources devoted to
and proposed for drug enforcement programs.
Suggestions to the agenda should be
communicated to Staff Director Patrick Tarr on
633-3435. Also enclosed are the minutes of our
previous meeting.
I look forward to geeing you on the 24th.
Sincerely,
Edwin Meese III
Enclosures
The Honorable William J. Casey
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
cc: The Honorable
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PROPOSED AGENDA
NATIONAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT POLICY BOARD
September 24, 1986
10:00 A.M., Roosevelt Room
I. Introductory Remarks
II. Observations on Pending Legislation
The Drug-Free America Act of 1986
III. Drug Enforcement Resources
A review of resources devoted to drug law enforcement
1981-1987 and a preview of fiscal year 1988 requests.
IV. Study on Southeast Border
Timetable for decisions
V. Hat Trick III
VI. International Developments and Plans
A. Update on Bolivia
B. Update on Mexico
C. Update on Colombia
D. Other Developments
VII. Summary of Accomplishments 1981-1936
VIII. Other Business
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DRAFT
MINUTES OF MEETING
NATIONAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT POLICY BOARD
September 10, 1986
Chairman Edwin Meese III convened the meeting of the National
Drug Enforcement Policy Board (NDEPB) at 10:05 a.m. in Room 208 of
the Old Executive Office Auilding. Minutes of. the July 15 meeting
were circulated and acknowledged.
The Chairman welcomed Secretary Pierce from the Department of
Housing and Urban Development and Secretary Bennett from the
Department of Education to the Policy Aoard meeting.
The Board reviewed a number of domestic and international
drug enforcement legislative proposals that comprise Titles IV and
V of the President's Drug-Free America Act of 1986. After lively
discussion of the merits and disadvantages of seeking a repeal of
the Mansfield Amendment, the Chairman stated that the differences
between the law enforcement community and the Department of State
would be presented to the President for decision. The Chairman
also directed Stephen Trott, Chairman of the Coordinating Group,
to draft an Executive Order defining the role of enforcement
personnel working in a foreign country.
Two suggestions for enhancing drug trafficking penalties were
accepted by the Board for inclusion in Title V. A minimum manda-
tory penalty of five years was added t~ Section 501 of Title V for
trafficking in 500 kg. of cannabis. Furthermore, 21 USC
841(b)(1)(c) is to be modified to calculate penalties based upon
100 cannabis plants rather than 50 kg.
1
The Board agreed to include amendments to the Coast Guard's
authority to stop and board vessels for violations of United
States drug laws and reduce needless litigation,_related t~ crimi-
nal prosecutions of those transporting illegal drugs at sea. Mr.
Wright from OMB indicated that the enforcement titles in the
legislative package include improvements to the asset forfeiture
funds, money laundering, and the Customs Enforcement Act of 1986.
The Chairman asked Mr. Wright to report on FY-88 resources
for drug enforcement. Associate Director Carol Crawford stated
that recent data on agency resources for FY81-FY87 needed careful
review before the figures could be released. She also noted that
many agencies failed to submit their FY-88 budgets by September 1.
Hence, the Chairman requested that the presentation on resources
be rescheduled for the next meeting which should bP held in two
weeks.
DEA Administrator John C. Lawn presented a status report on
Operation Blast Furnace in Bolivia. The Board viewed a short
videotape on the operation. Mr. Lawn stated that the Bolivians
have destroyed nine cocaine labs. Success is indicated by the
sharply declining market in coca leaves, the non-harvesting of.
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coca leaves, and the drastic decrease of 92~ in general aviation
flights in Bolivia. The Chairman thanked Mr. Lawn for the update
and requested that Bolivian operations remain on the Policy Board
agenda until further notice.'
Mr. Darman asked how long we expected the disruption of
cocaine processing in Bolivia t~ last. The Attorney General
explained that we view this enforcement action as phase one in the
four phase plan to have Aolivia no longer be a source for cocaine.
The three year cycle includes: (11 continuing enforcement action
against processing labs, (2) economic assistance to support the
cocaine influenced Bolivian economy, (3) implementation of a coca
bush eradication program, and (4) permanent replacement of the
coca base agriculture with substitute crops. Mr. Trott reinforced
the concept that we need to support Bolivia fully with appropriate
follow-up action. Mr. Darman suggested that we put together a
model three-year plan for Bolivia to obtain appropriate follow-up
support.
Mr. Trott briefed the Board on recent cooperation with
Mexico. He noted that close working relationships with the
Mexican Attorney General's office had resulted in positive devel-
opments related to arrests, asset seizures, and prosecutions.
Positive results were also evidenced by. progress in the
eradication program and in the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.
Problems remain with extradition, overflights, and the inves-
tigation of the Camarena murder and the Cortez kidnapping and
torture. A meeting may be hosted by the Mexicans in Cozumel in
October. Mr. Armacost from the Department of State endorsed the
spirit of Mr. Trott's remarks. The Chairman acknowledged the good
cooperation between State and Justice in defining and implementing
a sound drug control policy with Mexico.
The Chairman provided each member a copy of the Domestic
Cannabis Report that had been approved by the.Aoard. He noted
that the report would bP sent to the Congress next week.
Because the meeting was running late, additional agenda items
were postponed until the next meeting. The Staff Director was
instructed to seek a convenient date as soon as possible.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m.
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