CROSS BORDERS INITIATIVE (CBI)

In July of 1995 the Lowell Police Department in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) formed a provisional task force to combat narcotics trafficking that originated in the northern tier of central and eastern Massachusetts.

The mission of this multi - jurisdictional task force is:

To identify and target major narcotics trafficking organizations that are based along the northern border of Massachusetts and who through various methods both transport and distribute these illicit drugs to customers in the Northern New England states.

The Cross Border Initiative Task Force (CBI) receives funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and as of July 1, 2000 the (CBI) has become a program-funded task force (Task Force-4) and now receives funding from the Federal Government as well as other sources.

Since it's inception in 1995 the Cross Borders Initiative Task Force has expanded in size and the partners now include members from several federal agencies. They include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). In addition to the manpower resources provided by the federal government, the Task Force is also comprised of individuals from several New Hampshire cities and towns as well as officers from the Massachusetts State Police and other local police departments. The CBI/TF-4 also utilizes a large number of local officers from the communities located in our geographical area on a part time basis, as the need arises. It should be noted that the CBI/TF-4 has also provided training to many local police departments in special areas of narcotics investigations.

The CBI/TF-4 utilizes a multi-faceted approach in conducting narcotics investigation in the New England area. This includes the utilization of traditional investigative techniques such as physical and electronic surveillance; undercover operations for both long and short-term investigations and standard buy bust operations. The Task Force is also equipped with and has access to highly sophisticated computer systems that assist the members in the collection of intelligence and the subsequent analysis of this intelligence. Having access to these resources allows the Task Force to aggressively investigate and ultimately prosecute the individuals involved in these narcotics trafficking organizations.

For more information on the CBI Task Force, please call (978) 446-9191 (information can be left with any of the agents in the office).