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Stopping Drug Traffic with Technology

NCJ Number
183869
Author(s)
Date Published
June 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center (CTAC) and the National Institute of Justice’s Border Research and Technology Center (BRTC) can provide technology or technical assistance to drug law enforcement agents seeking to stop ruthless and sophisticated drug traffickers.
Abstract
CTAC created by Congress in 1990, is part of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. CTAC coordinates the Federal counterdrug law enforcement research and development program that involves 20 government agencies. CTAC also provides funding for research related to drug prevention, drug treatment, and drug law enforcement. The Technology Transfer Program has provided police agencies with systems that include uncooled thermal imaging nightsights, Minibuster contraband detectors, and wireless interoperability. CTAC also developed the Data Locator System to check connected government agencies’ public documents for information on suspect locations and persons. BRTC provides technical information and technological assistance to Federal, State, and local law enforcement operating along the borders. BRTC began in 1995 to identify and evaluate available technologies at affordable cost to law enforcement and promotes partnerships among private and public organizations to develop needed technologies. The BRTC continues to work with the High Intensity Drug Traffic Area program on specialized technologies such as special illumination technologies and has reviewed commercially available facial recognition technologies and others. Source of further information. Photographs

Date Published: June 1, 2000