National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Awards Ceremony Celebrates Noteworthy Contributions Across 14 Strategic Categories
Washington, D.C.—In a ceremony held last evening, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) honored the outstanding efforts of individuals and projects within the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program at the 2025 National HIDTA Awards Ceremony. These awards recognize vital contributions toward addressing the national security crisis posed by drug traffickers, particularly those distributing lethal fentanyl, responsible for the tragic deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually.
The current administration is steadfast in its commitment to combat cartels and drug traffickers, aiming to safeguard American lives. The HIDTA Program is integral in breaking down drug trafficking networks and extends vital support to federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies in critical drug trafficking regions across all 50 states. In the past year, the 33 HIDTAs collectively seized an astonishing 4.1 million pounds of fentanyl and other narcotics, thwarting drug traffickers’ attempts to pocket $17.7 billion in illegal profits. Remarkably, for every dollar invested in the HIDTA Program, taxpayers receive an impressive $68.07 in benefits, underscoring the program’s efficiency and its role as a pivotal tool in the national effort to halt drug traffickers and protect American lives.
The following awards were presented on March 27 to individuals and initiatives within the HIDTA Program for their dedication to reducing the supply and trafficking of dangerous substances within communities nationwide:
INVESTIGATIVE COLLABORATION
Chicago HIDTA, Chicago HIDTA Counternarcotics and Cryptocurrency Task Force
The Chicago HIDTA Counternarcotics and Cryptocurrency Task Force (CNCTF) was established to identify and dismantle transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), specifically targeting Nemesis Market, one of the globe’s largest and most rapidly expanding dark web marketplaces. This platform facilitated a staggering $20 million in illicit transactions, engaging over 150,000 registered users globally. Under the leadership of the DEA and in partnership with federal and local agencies, CNCTF executed Operation Keyboard Warrior, recognized by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). In March 2024, CNCTF, alongside the FBI and the German Bundescriminalamt, successfully disrupted Nemesis Market through coordinated multinational search and seizure operations. These operations resulted in nearly $1 million in frozen assets, the seizure of twelve computer servers, various electronic devices, and terabytes of data revealing the identities and activities of over 1,000 vendors involved in trafficking and fraud. This intelligence facilitated arrests across eight U.S. federal districts and enabled collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
PROSECUTION
South Florida HIDTA, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Gerarde and Sean McLaughlin
With robust backing from the South Florida HIDTA and the DEA, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Gerarde and Sean McLaughlin achieved a significant legal victory against the Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) for drug trafficking. Andrew Fahie, who ascended to the premiership in 2019, was implicated in aiding the Sinaloa Cartel by facilitating the transport of three metric tons of cocaine from Colombia through the BVI en route to the United States. Allegedly, Fahie pocketed a 12 percent commission from the sales of this cocaine in the U.S. Following an extensive undercover investigation in collaboration with the UK’s National Crime Agency and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the DEA arrested Fahie. Overcoming various evidentiary challenges, including those tied to foreign legal statutes, AUSAs Gerarde and McLaughlin secured a guilty verdict on February 8, 2024, resulting in Fahie’s 135-month prison sentence.
PUBLIC HEALTH/PUBLIC SAFETY COLLABORATION
Texoma HIDTA, Caprock Drug Initiative
In response to a surge in fentanyl overdoses in and around Lubbock, Texas, the Texoma HIDTA’s Caprock Initiative launched a comprehensive program at the request of local officials. This initiative has reached nearly 26,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds. With significant support from the United States Attorney’s Office, the Texas Anti-Gang Center, and the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, the program has become the most sought-after fentanyl awareness presentation in the South Plains region. This program, which has been presented in various local schools— including the Texas Tech football team—delivers honest, factual accounts from recovery participants, overdose survivors, and families of overdose victims. Its efforts have been credited with raising public awareness and contributing to a notable reduction in overdoses in the region.
HIDTA SUPPORT
Atlanta Carolinas HIDTA, Lydia Sheffield
Lydia Sheffield has been an invaluable asset to the Atlanta Carolinas HIDTA for two decades, providing consistency and exceptional support to three executive directors. In her role as Executive Assistant and primary Performance Management Process (PMP) Coordinator for the HIDTA, Sheffield has distinguished herself as an expert in PMP. She has generously trained PMP users from various regional HIDTAs at the request of the National HIDTA Assistance Center, as well as National HIDTA Program staff. Her extensive experience as a skilled trainer has enabled her to develop curriculum materials that support trainings for both peer PMP coordinators and initiative commanders across the United States.
INVESTIGATION INVOLVING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
Gulf Coast HIDTA, Mobile Baldwin Major Investigations Team
In 2023, the Mobile Baldwin Major Investigations Team (MBMIT) initiated an investigation against a deactivated DEA confidential source who was coordinating extensive shipments of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine from Texas and Georgia into the Mobile, Alabama area. This former source, leveraging knowledge of law enforcement operations, conducted illicit transactions using an end-to-end encrypted messaging app. The agents of MBMIT executed a search warrant to clone the source’s phone, enabling real-time Title III intercepts of the encrypted app—a groundbreaking achievement within the New Orleans Division and only the third successful interception of this nature globally by the DEA. This innovative technique resulted in 120 electronic and voice Title III intercepts, leading to 24 state and federal arrests, the seizure of 19 kilograms of cocaine, 20 kilograms of methamphetamine, and over $500,000 in cash, jewelry, and vehicles. Moreover, these intercepts facilitated the identification and ongoing investigation of regional drug traffickers with connections to multiple Mexican TCOs.
INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING
Nevada HIDTA, Investigative Research Assistant Phillip Scichilone
In early 2024, a tip concerning a suspicious trucking company suspected of transporting illicit drugs from northern Nevada was relayed to Investigative Research Assistant Phillip Scichilone by the Nevada Highway Patrol. Mr. Scichilone provided crucial intelligence regarding the vehicle’s travel patterns, questionable financial activities of the trucking company, and identification of the suspected owner and driver. Utilizing this information, the Northern Nevada Interdiction Task Force intercepted the vehicle, seizing approximately $1 million and identifying the driver and passenger, with suspected ties to a known terrorist organization. Following detailed analysis linking these suspects to ongoing investigations by the DEA and FBI, Mr. Scichilone facilitated communication between the agencies to ensure effective information sharing.
INTERDICTION
New England HIDTA, Greater Boston HIDTA Task Force
Co-led by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Greater Boston HIDTA Task Force launched an investigation targeting a California-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) involved in the large-scale smuggling, distribution, and transportation of illicit drugs from the Southwest Border to various locations across the U.S. and Canada. The initial phase of this ongoing investigation led to the disruption of a significant criminal enterprise, resulting in two arrests and the interdiction of 32 kilograms of methamphetamine and 490 kilograms of cocaine transported in a tractor trailer to meet undercover law enforcement agents in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts State Police proclaimed this to be the largest seizure of narcotics from a tractor trailer in New England’s history, and the investigation has had far-reaching implications for DTO operations across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
INVESTIGATION INVOLVING A VIOLENT ORGANIZATION
Texoma HIDTA, ATF Oklahoma City Violent Crime Initiative
The ATF Oklahoma City Violent Crime Initiative spearheaded the interagency Operation Sonic Boom, utilizing data from the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to overlay maps of Oklahoma City with shooting incidents, identifying high gun violence areas for resource deployment. Over a 60-day period, ATF Confidential Sources and Undercover Agents conducted 117 undercover firearm purchases, leading to the indictment of 64 defendants and the seizure of 110 firearms, 83 machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), 53 kilograms of methamphetamine, 5 kilograms of cocaine, and more than 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl tablets. Notably, twelve firearms purchased during the operation were linked to ongoing shooting and homicide cases involving violent gangs in the greater Oklahoma City area. From the HIDTA perspective, this investigation was a statistical success, uncovering eight separate Drug Trafficking or Money Laundering Organizations and disrupting six of them throughout the operation.
COMMUNITY IMPACT INVESTIGATION
Northwest HIDTA, DEA Bellingham Regional HIDTA Task Force
Over the past year, the DEA Bellingham Regional HIDTA Task Force (BRHTF) initiated an investigation that significantly improved public safety and health on the greater Lummi Nation Tribal Lands. Within a year, BRHTF, in collaboration with partner agencies, seized over 850,000 fentanyl pills, seven kilograms of fentanyl powder, seven kilograms of cocaine, 29 illicit firearms, and over $120,000 in U.S. currency, while disrupting a centralized DTO responsible for trafficking and distributing fentanyl and other drugs in the Lummi Nation within Whatcom County, WA. This concerted effort resulted in a marked decrease in both fentanyl availability and overdose deaths within the tribal community.
OVERDOSE REDUCTION
South Texas HIDTA, Laredo DEA HIDTA Task Force
In 2023, the DEA Laredo District Office established a HIDTA Overdose Task Force initiative to combat the alarming rise in overdose deaths in Laredo, Texas, and surrounding areas. The city recorded 21 overdose deaths in 2021, which escalated to 41 in 2022, with projections nearing 100 overdose deaths in 2023 prior to the task force’s formation. Comprising multiple local and federal agencies and six task force officers, the initiative effectively reduced the number of overdose deaths, with Laredo reporting 73 fatalities in 2023—significantly lower than anticipated. Throughout 2024, Laredo and its neighboring communities recorded 40 overdose deaths, with preliminary data indicating a remarkable 45 percent decrease.
INVESTIGATION
Arizona HIDTA, Metro Intelligence Support and Technical Investigative Center (MISTIC)
Throughout 2024, the Phoenix Police Department’s (PPD) Drug Enforcement Bureau’s (DEB) Conspiracy Squad, alongside the DEA Phoenix Field Division’s Financial Investigations Group (FIG), conducted a long-term investigation targeting a TCO involved in trafficking and distributing bulk quantities of illicit drugs, as well as money laundering. The investigation involved 2,000 hours of surveillance, 225 court orders and search warrants, and 35 wire intercepts aimed at TCO members. This comprehensive effort led to the identification, disruption, and dismantling of international drug trafficking activities from both foreign and domestic sources of supply, load coordinators, couriers, stash house operators, and distribution coordinators, while also dismantling local DTO operations in metropolitan Phoenix.
TASK FORCE OF THE YEAR
Appalachia HIDTA, Appalachia HIDTA Diversion Task Force
In response to a surge of counterfeit pharmaceuticals flooding southeastern Kentucky, contributing to rising drug poisoning deaths, the Appalachia HIDTA Diversion Drug Task Force undertook an investigation into a dark web distributor known as GreenBeansUSA. This operation was conducted collaboratively with the Appalachia HIDTA DEA London Task Force, FBI, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service under the OCDETF Operation “Loyal Business.” Investigators identified GreenBeansUSA as a global supplier responsible for distributing over 16 million counterfeit pharmaceutical pills and receiving over $11 million in drug proceeds via illicit cryptocurrency. Throughout the operation, investigators issued over 200 grand jury subpoenas, conducted extensive surveillance, and executed undercover purchases, resulting in federal indictments of six key organization members, the seizure of 11 kilograms of controlled pharmaceuticals, six pill press machines, and approximately $1.2 million in assets.
HIDTA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
Ohio HIDTA, Sergeant Breck Williamson, Ohio State Highway Patrol
Sergeant Breck Williamson has emerged as a distinguished interdictor of illicit drugs on America’s highways and a respected instructor and mentor for fellow officers in highway interdiction techniques. Since October 2023, Sergeant Williamson has personally confiscated over 405 pounds of methamphetamines, 11 pounds of fentanyl, 141 pounds of cocaine, 3,203 pounds of marijuana, and $135,000 in cash. He also serves as an instructor for both the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) and the Drug Interdiction Awareness Program (DIAP), imparting his extensive expertise to hundreds of students over the past year. In addition to his supervisory and interdiction responsibilities, Sergeant Williamson acts as a DEA task force officer and frequently advises DEA offices nationwide on interdiction strategies.
HIDTA OF THE YEAR
SOUTH FLORIDA HIDTA
The South Florida HIDTA has exemplified exceptional vision and leadership, addressing emerging threats such as synthetic drugs while consistently targeting the interdiction of metric tons of cocaine from South America. It has played a pivotal role in national initiatives, including the establishment of Crime Gun Intelligence Centers in HIDTA regions nationwide, all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to disrupting and dismantling DTOs and nurturing deep partnerships at the local level. The HIDTA has initiated innovative collaborations with law enforcement partners, such as teaming up with the Federal Aviation Administration to enhance radar interdiction capabilities and track aircraft registrations, alongside public health initiatives aimed at overdose reduction and drug use prevention.
In its many accomplishments, the South Florida HIDTA disrupted or dismantled 54 DTOs in 2023, with 19 of these operations being international in scope and nearly 20 percent classified as OCDETF-designated or linked to priority organization targets. Task forces seized illicit drugs valued at approximately $748 million, including 23 metric tons of cocaine, 248 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 224 kilograms of fentanyl. Additionally, South Florida HIDTA initiatives confiscated over $105 million in cash and other assets, yielding a remarkable return on investment of $56.22 for every dollar allocated by the National HIDTA Program. Crucially, in its ongoing commitment to officer safety, the South Florida HIDTA provided deconfliction services to its partners, averting more than 400 potential “blue on blue” incidents.
