United States Drug Enforcement Administration

On April 3, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ministry of the Interior of Uruguay signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to solidify cooperation between the two countries to combat the organized drug crime threat in Uruguay and the region.

 Held at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Va., DEA Principal Deputy Administrator George Papadopoulos and Minister of Interior of Uruguay Nicolas Martinelli signed the memorandum. U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay Heide Fulton and Uruguayan Ambassador to the United States Andrés Augusto Durán Hareau also attended the ceremony in support of advancing U.S.-Uruguay cooperation. 

 The MOC builds on the strong, active working relationship DEA shares with Uruguayan law enforcement, which includes trainings, information-sharing, and cooperation on investigations. The MOC seeks to further expand the exchange of information between the two countries on ongoing and emerging drug threats and trafficking activity.  Under the MOC, the United States and Uruguay intend to increase information-sharing on drug trafficking trends, routes, and tactics to more effectively target the criminal networks operating in the region, combat drug-related money laundering, and stem the flow and availability of dangerous drugs that threaten communities across the globe. 

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