Reading Room Document

Jurisdictional Dispute over Investigative Authority of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and the Bureau of Customs in Foreign Areas

The document discusses a dispute over the investigative authority of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD) and the Bureau of Customs in foreign areas. The conclusions reached in the document are that the primary responsibility for investigations of violations of drug laws, both within and outside the United States, lies with the Attorney General, to be exercised by BNDD in cooperation with the Bureau of Customs. The document raises questions about whether the Bureau of Customs may conduct foreign investigative operations free of the control of BNDD and whether foreign investigative operations should be under the control of a single agency. It also questions whether the Bureau of Customs should be authorized to make direct contacts with foreign law enforcement agencies.

August 20, 1969