News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 07, 2008
Contact: DEA Public Affairs
202-307-7977

26th Annual IDEC Kicks-Off in Istanbul
93 Countries are attending the three-day event in Turkey

JUL 07 --(ISTANBUL, Turkey) On July 8-10, 2008, the Turkish National Police in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will preside over the 26th Annual International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC), which will bring together over 300 high-level drug law enforcement officials from 93 countries throughout the world. This year's conference will focus on pharmaceutical abuse, the nexus of drugs and terrorism, money laundering, and intelligence sharing across multi-national law enforcement agencies.

IDEC was established in 1983 and to date 16 different countries have hosted the conference. This will be Turkey's first time as host of IDEC and only the second time the event has been hosted outside of North and South America.

Media are invited to attend the following events:

• 9:00-10:00 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies
• 10:00-10:30 a.m.: Global Drug Threat Presentation by Ahmet Pek, Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department, Turkish National Police
• 10:30-11:15 a.m.: Press Conference for IDEC with Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator, Michele Leonhart and Turkish National Police General Director Oguz Kagan Koksal.

To RSVP, call 202-558-7912.

Media must arrive by 8:30 am to the Conrad Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey for check-in and set up. Please ask for Garrison Courtney upon arrival.

Administrator's Opening Remarks >>

IDEC Video >>

Global Drug Threat Presentation >>