Volume 2, Issue 2	NDPIX  NEWS	April 2001

National Drug Pointer Index (NDPIX)

A Supplement to Law Enforcement Intelligence Systems

Law enforcement intelligence systems collect and store data on individuals and organizations based on the reasonable suspicion of their involvement in criminal activity. The databases may include detailed investigative intelligence and/or identifying information on the individual under investigation. Investigators search these databases for information that will help to accelerate arrests and prosecution. They query on such data elements as suspect names, license plates, addresses, and many other attributes of a target or aspects of criminal activity. The yield of these queries is specific information, intelligence, and of course is limited by what has been entered into the databases. Some law enforcement intelligence systems serve a single agency while others are multi-jurisdictional.

A pointer system complements an intelligence system and is an investigative tool of comparable value. Two officers or agents, who are tracking the same target, and who are brought together by a pointer system, can share information that may not be found in any intelligence system and can discuss significant information known to them.

An officer or agent enters identifying data on a target into NDPIX. NDPIX validates the entry and searches for possible earlier entries on that same target. NDPIX then provides to the entry maker the names and telephone numbers of the points of contact (POC) of the matched records and also sends the name and telephone number of the entry maker to the POC of the matched record.

Through telephonic contact, the investigators then determine whether or not their matched records are for the same person and what information will be shared.

The possible outcome for an NDPIX entry is a positive or negative match. The payoff is a match that brings together two investigators who share information to the benefit of either one or both of them.

In every discussion between points of contact, each investigator exercises his or her judgement on the extent to which data will be shared. This facilitates a meaningful sharing of controlled data.

As a national pointer system, NDPIX serves Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This provides, among all participants, a linkage that is broader than is possible in any single system or network of systems.

Marijuana Eradication Conference

Judith E. Bertini, the DEA Program Manager for NDPIX, spoke at the National Conference on Marijuana Eradication held March 5-9, 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference was attended by 360 law enforcement officers from all fifty states. Mrs. Bertini outlined the functions of NDPIX as a pointer system that can play a significant role in Federal, state, and local law enforcement drug investigations. She emphasized the importance of broad participation by the nation's law enforcement agencies and provided summary information on the level of participation to date.

Several attendees requested further information on enrolling their agencies in NDPIX and also inquired about DEA assistance with training and the technical aspects of participation.

NDPIX Support Staff

In December 2000, Special Agent H. Blue Richards became the Unit Chief of the National Drug Pointer Index Unit. Mr. Richards was last assigned as a Group Supervisor for a Mobile Enforcement Team at the DEA St. Louis Field Division. He can be reached at 202-307-4215.

For further information, please contact:

NDPIX Support Staff
Intelligence Division
Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, D.C. 20537
(202) 307-8430 or 1 800 276-5558

Contacts for State/ Local Agencies:

Team 1.
Mina Hunter (202) 307-3648

Team 2.
Patricia Gosby (202) 307-3604

Team 3.
Jennifer Gabriel (202) 353-1064

Team 4.
Elizabeth Spricigo (202) 307-8430

Contacts for State and Local Agencies

Contacts for DEA Field Divisions

Support Staff Activity

Mina Hunter, DEA Program Analyst, provided NDPIX training to Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Agents and Intelligence Analysts on March 19 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Forsyth, Georgia. The training was comprised of an NDPIX overview and demonstration of simulated data entries into NDPIX. The training was well received by the attendees and Mrs. Hunter was asked to provide another training session in August. All NDPIX Team Leaders are prepared to provide similar assistance. If assistance is required, please contact the appropriate team leader (see above).

NDPIX Success Stories

The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Narcotics Investigation Bureau, developed information that a target was in the process of obtaining a quantity of marijuana. A criminal history check revealed that the target had been arrested for importation of marijuana a year earlier. The target was entered into NDPIX by Montana DCI and a hit was received. The two officers/agents, after telephonic contact, concluded that they were investigating the same target. Through mutual cooperation, Montana DCI was able to arrest several individuals and seize a quantity of marijuana.

On December 12, 2000, members of the La Paz County Sheriff's Department and the La Paz County Task Force stopped an individual in Ehrenberg, Arizona for speeding. Subsequently, this individual was found to be in possession of a large quantity of U.S. currency. The target was entered into the NDPIX system. An NDPIX hit revealed the target was under investigation in another state. Discussions between the two investigators lead to the discovery of a smuggling ring. Further investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately $45,000 and identified two additional suspects in the smuggling ring. The investigation is on going.

Participation

State Message Switch Systems Capable of Processing NDPIX Transactions

If assistance is required, please contact the appropriate Team Leader.

Targets in the NDPIX Database

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Comments

Colonel Michael D. Robinson, Director of the Michigan Department of State Police, chaired the NDPIX Communication Working Group and was instrumental in its establishment. He writes, "We (Michigan State Police) have also had success in the area of returned hits from NDPIX. Our agency receives and acts on those hits to further our narcotics investigations. As one of the first agencies with a direct link to NDPIX, we have found the program to be a useful information sharing tool."

James T. Moore, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), writes, "I applaud your efforts in addressing the issue of information sharing pertaining to drug investigations. The National Drug Pointer Index (NDPIX) is a valuable tool for law enforcement agencies across the country. The FDLE has been a member since January 1999. In addition, the FDLE has encouraged and will continue to encourage other local and state agencies within the state of Florida to utilize this system to the fullest extent possible. We at FDLE understand the importance of sharing information within the law enforcement community, and with the strides in technology being made at this time, we are very excited about the possibilities for continued success in the future."

All Comments and Success Stories are welcome and may be printed in future issues. Please send your comments and success stories to Tricia Gosby or Mitch Morris, Editors, NDPIX NEWS, Intelligence Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington, D.C. 20537, telephone 202-307-3604.