Drug Enforcement Administration Element Becomes 16th Intelligence Community Member

February 17, 2006

ODNI News Release No. 6-06

The Director of National Intelligence, John D. Negroponte, and the Attorney General, Alberto R. Gonzales, announce the designation of the Office of National Security Intelligence, an element in the Drug Enforcement Administration's Intelligence Division, as the 16th member of the Intelligence Community (IC).

"I welcome the accession of the DEA's Office of National Security Intelligence into the Intelligence Community as our 16th member. This formalized relationship is an example of our commitment to removing structural barriers thereby allowing us to operate more effectively together on issues of national security," said John D. Negroponte, Director of National Intelligence. "I strongly believe that the DEA's IC membership will greatly assist our fight against global terrorism and the protection of our national security."

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a long history of partnering with the Intelligence Community for purposes of identifying and disrupting illegal drug trafficking. This partnership has been successful in both the sharing of vital information and the leveraging of expertise. This designation does not grant DEA new authorities, but it does formalize the long-standing relationship between the DEA and the IC.

Source: ODNI