Caribbean
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The Caribbean Field Division (FD) is a hybrid region in that it is comprised of both domestic and foreign offices. Headquartered in San Juan, the Caribbean FD has liaison responsibility for the island of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), 27 island nations throughout the Caribbean, and the countries of Guyana and Suriname in South America. There are nine DEA Offices in the region located in Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Nassau, and Freeport, Bahamas. The Caribbean Division has a unique responsibility in the region, covering thousands of square miles with hundreds of islands that speak multiple languages. DEA works in partnership with the US Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense to enforce international drug trafficking laws. The Division has developed a number of investigative initiatives designed to attack those vulnerabilities and help maintain rule of law throughout the region. In addition, there are 17 HIDTA Initiatives serving in domestic locations of the region.
The geographic proximity of the Caribbean Islands makes them extremely vulnerable to drug trafficking. Historically, significant quantities of cocaine destined for the U.S. transited the Caribbean. The illegal drug trade remains a menace to the public welfare and represents a serious threat to the rule of law in many Caribbean island nations.
The principal drug threat in the Caribbean region continues to be cocaine flowing north from South America. The smuggling and abuse of heroin and marijuana are also of concern. In addition, the opioid threat, and diversion of prescription drug are a growing concern in the region. The increasing levels of drug-related violence in Puerto Rico, the USVI, and many Caribbean nations is one of the most pressing issues currently facing regional law enforcement and public officials.
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