Update on DEA Colombia Corruption Scandal

The DEA has responded with a letter to the corruption allegations published in the Colombian magazine Semana and those posted at NarcoNews.

With regard to the cover story in Issue #1.237, the accusations made in Kent's memorandum about the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were reviewed in 2004, when the DEA received notification of alleged misconduct, and were reviewed again with the publication of the same unfounded accusations in the Narco News Bulletin. These investigations were carried out with the highest degree of impartiality, independence and professionalism by the DEA's Office of Professional Responsibility, our internal investigators, and the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice. At no time during these reviews was any evidence found that sustained the accusations. The DEA demands that our personnel maintain the highest ethical standards, and considers the ethical performance of duty as its top priority. The DEA takes seriously any accusation of misconduct, abuse of power, or criminal activity, and continues to assure that the administration of justice be fair and maintain the integrity and reputation of our distinguished personnel.

Garrison K. Courtney, Public Affairs, DEA
Washington, USA

An excerpt of NarcoNews' response to the DEA Letters:

"Courtney issued a press statement nine days ago indicating that DEA’s OPR 'is investigating the allegations that have been made' in the Narco News story based on the Kent memo. He now has written a letter to Semana in Colombia, a letter we can only assume was prepared at least a couple days in advance of Semana’s latest issue, that indicates 'the accusations made in Kent's memorandum about the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were reviewed in 2004, when the DEA received notification of alleged misconduct [after Kent wrote his memo], and were reviewed again with the publication of the same unfounded accusations in the Narco News Bulletin.'

"That means, in the wake of the Narco News story, the DEA, in fewer than nine days, has 'reviewed' the charges of corruption -- and the alleged cover-up by OPR and OIG in investigating that corruption -- and already determined that the allegations are 'unfounded.'"

That's not even the tip of the iceberg of their response. Whether or not these allegations are true, DEA has quite a bit of explaining and clarification to do. U.S. urban residents (and rural and exurban for that matter) affected negatively by the drug trade are going to want to know more about this.