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TARGET AMERICA: Traffickers, Terrorists & You

TARGET AMERICA: Traffickers, Terrorists & You Exhibit Sections

Production , Trafficking & Money Laundering
Drug production, drug trafficking, and money laundering are the three major activities of the illegal drug trade. The growth and manufacture of illegal drugs most often takes place in remote areas. Opium, cocaine, cannabis and methamphetamine are the principal drugs of the international illicit drug trade.

The trading of drugs dates back to the dawn of history. Many medicines found markets hundreds or even thousands of miles away from the site of their production. Opium was one of the most valued drugs traded. The areas where opium, cocaine, and cannabis are grown now are the same areas that produced them centuries ago. Today these drugs are produced in countries around the world from Colombia to China.

Traffickers not only fill a demand for illegal drugs but they also seek to hook additional users to increase their business. They transplant native drugs to new areas to provide safer production environments and grow additional drug crops to increase profit. Violence and terrorism are the stock and trade tools of the traffickers. Profit margins are vast and are the primary motivation of traffickers.

Money laundering is the taking of money from illicit drug dealing, giving it to banks or businesses, and then having them return the money as legal. The international trafficking of illegal drugs is a vast business. Some educated guesses put the amount between 300 and 500 billion dollars per year. Experts estimate that the United States market for drugs could be between 45 and 400 billion dollars.

Impact on the U.S. and the Globe
Terrorism, like drug trafficking, has been present in societies across the globe. It has affected everyone in nations rich and poor, large and small. Like drug traffickers, terrorists cannot be defined by age, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin or socio-economic status. Just as there is no accurate "profile" of a drug trafficker, a terrorist cannot be readily identified or characterized by his or her appearance or background. The names and faces change with the cause. Their common denominator is their willingness to resort to any means of intimidation, violence and murder to achieve their ends. The only constant over the years has been the
suffering and grief of their victims.

Who is a Narco-Terrorist?
Terrorist groups and individuals have often worked to cultivate their images in their home towns. While conducting campaigns of terror on the oned hand, they are building schools and supporting the jlocal community with their drug profits. To one population, the individual or group may be considered to be terrorists. To another population , that same individual or group may be considered a philanthropist.

Regardless of intent, when a group engages in drug trafficking, it undermines its political position by engaging in an internationally recognized illegal activity.

Responding to Drugs & Terrorism
From the patriotism that swept the country following the terrorist attacks in the Fall of 2001, to the national anti-drug abuse campaigns over the past decades, America has responded to drugs and terrorism in many different ways.
The response has come in the form of personal action, law enforcement investigations, military operations and changing political policies. What has been consistent, however, is the national will to respond in some way to the horrific societal problems.

Getting Involved in Your Community
In the late 1970s, 25 million Americans used illegal drugs. Last year 14 million Americans used illegal drugs. While the numbers are decreasing, more than half of high school seniors admit to using drugs at least once. Avoiding illegal drug use denies terrorist groups the funding they so desperately need. Learning about various drugs and their potential for harm, getting involved with family, with the community and in the workplace are all steps toward
building a drug-free life. Personal involvement in choices to say "no" to drugs is a sure way to keep profits from drug trafficking from falling into the hands of traffickers and terrorists.

Target America
On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced one of the gravest assaults in its history. Simultaneous attacks on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon brought home the threat of terrorism more strikingly than any previous event.

Terrorism, however, is not a new phenomenon in countries around the world. From the Middle East to Europe and Asia, and from Great Britain to South America, terrorist acts have destroyed and damaged lives around the globe for centuries. What is new, though, is that fewer nations are willing to fund acts of terrorism. Terrorist organizations are turning to alternative methods of funding for their activities. One lucrative revenue stream is the sale of illegal drugs.

Drug traffickers themselves have also grown increasingly accustomed to using terrorist acts to sustain their activities. As profits from the sale of illegal drugs have increased over the years, the individuals and organizations involved in trafficking have used more drastic means to secure their fortunes and keep law enforcement and governments at arms length.

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
MUSEUM & VISITORS CENTER, PENTAGON CITY - ARLINGTON, VA.
Museum Offices:
Phone: (202) 307-3463 Fax: (202) 307-8956
On the Web:
www.deamuseum.org
www.targetamerica.org

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday through Friday 10A.M. - 4 P.M. Please call for group tour information.

Programs and Tours:
The DEA Museum offers programs and tours for school and community groups of limited size.
For information. please call (202) 307-3463 weekdays between 9 AM. and 5 P.M.

Transportation:
Street parking is limited. On Metrorail, take the Blue or Yellow Line to the Pentagon City station. Paid parking is also available at the Pentagon City Mall across the street.

Map/Directions:
The DEA Museum and Visitors Center is conveniently located just outside Washington. D.C. close to the Pentagon.

Exhibit Developed By:
DEA Museum Visitors Center and AFFNA DEA Museum Foundation

www.targetamerica.org

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