United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON – Just days into his new role, DEA Administrator Terrance Cole met with a law enforcement delegation from Italy, signifying the agency’s renewed focus on working with foreign law enforcement to meet the evolving threats of the global drug crisis.

On July 24, DEA Administrator Cole, DEA Deputy Chief of Operations George Papadopoulos, DEA Europe Assistant Special Agent in Charge Slade Searight, and Country Attaché Jason Sandoval met with Italian Director General of Public Security Prefect Vittorio Pisani, Director of Anticrime Alessandro Giuliano, Director of Forensics and Cyber Security Luigi Rinella, and Director of Counterterrorism Lucio Pifferi during a visit to DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.   

Director Pisani was appointed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and serves as Italy’s highest-ranking law enforcement officer.  Director Pisani is responsible for the authority, oversight, and approval of narcotics operations throughout the country. 

This meeting was especially critical given the ongoing global synthetic drug threat as well as the Italy’s significant cocaine seizures. Italian law enforcement seized nearly 30 tons of cocaine in 2022. In 2023, DEA provided intelligence that resulted in two major maritime seizures measuring nearly 2 tons and 5.3 tons of cocaine, respectively. 

It is believed that a majority of the cocaine trafficked into Italy is connected to the ‘Ndrangheta Criminal Organization; one of the most extensive and powerful global criminal organizations.  ‘Ndrangheta sources its drug supply from Mexican cartels, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel, and has financial ties with Colombian Clan del Golfo.  The Sinaloa Cartel and Clan del Golfo are among the eight cartels designated by the United States as Foreign Terrorist Organizations in February. 

Administrator Cole announced his priorities for the agency just last week. Among them, strengthening partnerships with foreign counterparts and driving coordinated enforcement efforts to break the command, control, and distribution efforts of transnational criminal organizations. 

“Transnational criminal networks – like the 'Ndrangheta – do not pose isolated threats to just one country. They are a global threat. From cocaine trafficking in Calabria to fentanyl precursors in China, the supply chains are interconnected and so must be our response,” said Administrator Terrance Cole. “DEA is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Italian partners, renewing a historic alliance to dismantle these networks, target their finances, and protect communities on both sides of the Atlantic."

“I am very satisfied with the content that emerged during the meeting with DEA with whom we share many decades of collaboration; and with whom I personally value the investigative synergy. Together with Administrator Cole, we addressed issues of fundamental importance in our joint commitment to countering Italian organized crime and South American drug trafficking, starting with the Tri-Border area in South America, where criminal organizations from around the world converge to supply global drug markets. We will continue working together to counter the cartels responsible for the traffic of fentanyl,” said Director General of Public Security Vittorio Pisani.

 “DEA will continue to work closely with our Italian law enforcement partners to dismantle the transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States as well as Europe,” said DEA Deputy Chief of Foreign Operations George S. Papadopoulos. “The drug trade is constantly evolving, and so are our global law enforcement efforts. We are pleased with the outcomes of this meeting as we renew our shared goal of eliminating the global synthetic drug threat.”

“The Rome Country Office recognizes the importance and historical impact of our Italian partnerships when it comes to confronting the multidimensional threat posed by transnational organized crime. The increasing collaboration among global crime groups, like the Clan del Golfo and ‘Ndrangheta, to expand global drug supply chains requires a unique, unprecedented response from partner agencies across international boundaries,” said DEA Country Attaché Jason Sandoval. “DEA is committed to the safety and security of the citizens of our partner nations, and we will continue to confront and bring to justice the criminals responsible for spreading poison worldwide.”   

DEA and Italian law enforcement have a long-standing relationship and shared commitment to joint drug investigations. Established in 1951, the Rome Country Office is among DEA’s oldest foreign offices. The office works closely with Italian law enforcement on cases tied to Italian organized crime groups trafficking narcotics throughout Europe; the exploitation of the U.S. port system; the use of the U.S. financial system in furtherance of crimes; as well as cases involving synthetic drugs, which directly impact the United States. 

# # #