FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Jennifer de Vallance
Wednesday, September 14, 2001
OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY AIDS
NEW YORK RECOVERY AND INVESTIGATION EFFORT
(Washington, D.C.)—The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is providing equipment, technology, and personnel to assist in the massive recovery and investigation efforts taking place following terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. Assistance provided by ONDCP will help federal, state, and local officials build a communications network for the retrieval of victims and will provide ground-level investigative and intelligence support for the FBI-led investigation.
Edward H. Jurith, Acting Director of ONDCP said, "We hope the resources ONDCP provides will assist the heroic men and women working to bring care to survivors, peace to the victims' loved ones, and justice to the world."
On Saturday, September 15th, ONDCP's Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center will deliver 100 Iridium satellite phones to the New York City Police Department through the Technology Transfer Program. The satellite phones will replace vital emergency communications systems that were located on the roof of the World Trade Centers and destroyed in Tuesday's attacks.
Detectives and investigators from ONDCP's New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program have been assigned to assist FBI and Massachusetts law enforcement agencies in following up leads in the hijacking of two planes that departed Boston's Logan Airport Tuesday morning.
Personnel from the New York/New Jersey HIDTA have been redirected to support the "intelligence zone defense" for New York City. More than 500 HIDTA detective/investigators are aiding the FBI by gathering and analyzing information and following up leads. The New York/New Jersey HIDTA is also providing 200 pieces of equipment to enable radio communications, computer terminals and networks, and 70 vehicles to support the operations in New York City.
"Like thousands of individuals and organizations who have given of themselves for this cause, we are honored to do whatever we can to bring healing to the victims, their families and friends, and to the perseverance of freedom throughout the world," Jurith concluded.
