In planning and performing our audit, we examined how effectively the DEA recruits, trains, and retains its intelligence analysts, and the quality, usefulness, and effectiveness of the DEA’s intelligence products. We considered management’s controls, decisions, policy, directives, and feedback from users of DEA reports for the purposes of determining our auditing procedures. The evaluation of internal controls was not made for the purpose of providing assurance on the DEA’s internal control structure as a whole.

Reportable conditions involve matters coming to our attention relating to significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal control structure that, in our judgment, could adversely affect the DEA’s ability to recruit, train, and retain intelligence analysts and to produce quality, useful, and effective intelligence reports. As discussed in the Findings and Recommendations section of our report, we found issues relating to the DEA’s weaknesses in the monitoring of intelligence analysts’ security clearances and the procedures for sharing DEA cables with other federal agencies.

Because we are not expressing an opinion on the DEA’s internal control structure as a whole, this statement is intended solely for the information and use of the DEA. This restriction is not intended to limit the distribution of this report, which is a matter of public record.