Follow-Up Review of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Efforts
to Control the Diversion of Controlled Pharmaceuticals

Evaluations and Inspections Report I-2006-004
July 2006
Office of the Inspector General

Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Evaluation & Inspections Division DEA Diversion Control Program Questionnaire INTRODUCTION The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is conducting a review of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) diversion control program. Specifically, we are examining the DEA’s enforcement efforts regarding controlled pharmaceutical diversion. We completed our last review in this area in October 2002. As part of the review, we are conducting this survey of diversion investigator, special agent, or other Group Supervisors involved in diversion control to obtain information regarding DEA’s diversion control operations. Your input is very important to us. For tracking purposes, it is important that you include your name on the survey, but your identity will remain confidential and will not be used in any survey results. All responses will be reported in the aggregate only. DIRECTIONS: This survey should be completed by every Group Supervisor directly responsible for coordinating and supervising either: a DEA diversion group, a DEA enforcement group that focuses on diversion, or a Tactical Diversion Squad or other task force devoted to diversion control. Unless otherwise noted, please answer the survey questions as they relate to current operations for your group only. We prefer that you answer this questionnaire electronically. To do so, please click your cursor in the indicated shaded area and type your response. After you have completed the questionnaire, please save the document and e-mail it as an attachment to the following address: xxx@usdoj.gov. If necessary, you may print out the questionnaire, fill it out manually, and fax it to (xxx) xxx-xxx. We estimate that it will take you less than one hour to complete this questionnaire. Please return the completed questionnaire by September 9, 2005. Thank you for your assistance. NOTE: For this survey, “diversion investigations” refers only to criminal/civil/complaint investigations, not scheduled or cyclic investigations. A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Name Position (e.g., diversion investigator, special agent) DEA Field Division (e.g., Phoenix Field Division) DEA Office (e.g., Tucson, AZ, District Office) Phone Number Address B. ORGANIZATION OF YOUR GROUP How many of each of the following authorized positions is assigned to your group (including yourself)? (Enter a number in each row. If your group has no positions for a particular position, enter “0”.) Diversion investigators Special agents Intelligence analysts Task force officers Other (Describe:_____________) How many, if any, vacant positions do you currently have for each of the following in your group? (Enter a number in each row. If your group has no vacancies for a particular position, enter “0”.) Diversion investigators Special agents Intelligence analysts Task force officers Other (Describe:_____________) Approximately what percentage of time does your group spend on the following? (Enter a percentage in each row. The column total should equal 100%.) Complaint/criminal/civil investigations Cyclic/scheduled investigations Pre-registrant investigations All other activities 100% TOTAL C. LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT FOR DIVERSION INVESTIGATIONS Which of the following best describes the involvement of DEA special agents in your group’s diversion investigations? (Check one box.) One or more special agents is permanently assigned to work with my group. I request the assignment of special agents who are part of a DEA enforcement group to assist with diversion investigations on a case-specific basis. I request the assignment of special agents who are part of a task force devoted to diversion investigations (i.e., Tactical Diversion Squad or Diversion Response Team) to assist my group on a case-specific basis. This task force is led by DEA or another law enforcement group. DEA special agents are not involved in my group’s diversion investigations. (Please explain why:) ________________ Which of the following best describes the availability of law enforcement support that you receive from DEA special agents? (Check one box.) The availability of DEA special agent support allows diversion investigations to continue without delay. The availability of DEA special agent support sometimes causes delays in diversion investigations. The availability of DEA special agent support often delays diversion investigations. Which of the following best describes the amount of law enforcement support that your group receives from DEA special agents? (Check one box.) DEA special agents always provide a sufficient amount of law enforcement support for diversion investigations. DEA special agents usually provide a sufficient amount of law enforcement support for diversion investigations. DEA special agents never provide a sufficient amount of law enforcement support for diversion investigations. (Please explain why:) _____________ How satisfied are you with the law enforcement support that your group receives from DEA special agents? (Check one box.) Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Not at all satisfied 7a. If you answered “Not at all satisfied” to Q7, explain why: ______________ Which of the following best describes the involvement of local/state/other federal law enforcement personnel that assist in your group’s diversion investigations? (Check one box.) Other law enforcement personnel are part of a task force (led by DEA or other law enforcement group) devoted to diversion investigations. Other law enforcement personnel are part of a task force (led by DEA or other law enforcement group) not dedicated to diversion investigations, but the personnel assist with my group’s diversion investigations when necessary. Other law enforcement personnel are not part of any task force but we work with them informally on a case-specific basis. We have no local/state/other federal law enforcement involvement in our diversion investigations. What type of law enforcement personnel do you work with most often to support your group’s diversion investigations? (Check one box.) DEA special agents Other federal law enforcement personnel State/local law enforcement personnel Other (Describe:) __________ In 2005, approximately how many of the controlled pharmaceutical diversion investigations conducted by your group required some type of law enforcement support? (Check one box.) All investigations Most investigations Some investigations No investigations Since 2002, would you say that the need for law enforcement support in diversion investigations for your group has increased, stayed the same, or decreased? (Check one box.) Increased Stayed the same Decreased D. INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT FOR DIVERSION INVESTIGATIONS The following section asks about your familiarity and use of the following: ARCOS – DEA’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System [REDACTED] – database provided by ChoicePoint AutoTrack – database provided by ChoicePoint Lexis/Nexis FinCEN – Financial Crimes Enforcement Network 1-877-RX-ABUSE – toll-free number allowing public to report suspicious Internet pharmacies UMPIRE – Unlawful Internet Pharmaceutical Sales Reporting system used to report suspicious Internet pharmacies on-line through DEA’s website How familiar is your group with the information contained in the following? (Check one box in each row.)   Very familiar Somewhat familiar Not familiar ARCOS [REDACTED] AutoTrack Lexis/Nexis FinCEN Which of the following does your group have access to in your field office? (Check all that apply.) ARCOS [REDACTED] AutoTrack Lexis/Nexis FinCEN How useful is the information contained in the following for your group’s diversion investigations? (Check one box in each row.)   Very useful Somewhat useful Not useful Never used ARCOS [REDACTED] AutoTrack Lexis/Nexis FinCEN In 2005, in how many diversion investigations did your group use the following? (Check one box in each row.)   All investigations Most investigations Some investigations No investigations ARCOS [REDACTED] AutoTrack Lexis/Nexis FinCEN Has the E-Commerce Section (which includes E-Commerce Operations, E-Commerce Operational Support Unit and the Targeting and Analysis Unit) in the Office of Diversion Control in headquarters ever contacted your group with any proactive tips or leads developed through [REDACTED] or ARCOS? (Check one box in each row.)   Yes No [REDACTED] ARCOS Has your group ever received any tips or leads from the 1-877-RX-ABUSE hotline or UMPIRE to investigate? (Check one box in each row.)   Yes No 1-877-RX-ABUSE hotline UMPIRE Have tips or leads received from any of the following sources initiated a diversion investigation for your group? (Check one box in each row.)   Yes No Have not received tips or leads from source [REDACTED] ARCOS 1-877-RX-ABUSE hotline UMPIRE Which of the following best describes the involvement of DEA intelligence analysts in the field with diversion investigations for your group? (Check one box.) One or more intelligence analysts is permanently assigned to work with my group. I have to request the assignment of intelligence analysts to assist with diversion investigations on a case-specific basis. I have to request the assignment of intelligence analysts who are part of a task force devoted to diversion investigations (i.e., Tactical Diversion Squad or Diversion Response Team). This task force is led by DEA or another law enforcement group. My group does not receive any intelligence analyst support from the field. (Please explain why:) _______________ Which of the following best describes the availability of intelligence support that your group receives from DEA intelligence analysts in the field? (Check one box.) The availability of DEA intelligence support allows diversion investigations to continue without delay. The availability of DEA intelligence support sometimes causes delays in diversion investigations. The availability of DEA intelligence support often delays diversion investigations. Which of the following best describes the amount of intelligence support that your group receives from DEA intelligence analysts in the field? (Check one box.) DEA intelligence analysts always provide a sufficient amount of intelligence support for diversion investigations. DEA intelligence analysts usually provide a sufficient amount of intelligence support for diversion investigations. DEA intelligence analysts never provide a sufficient amount of intelligence support for diversion investigations. (Please explain why:) _______________ Which of the following statements represent the types of DEA intelligence that your group receives from DEA headquarters or from the field? (Check all that apply.) My group receives intelligence for specific investigations when we request it. My group receives intelligence regarding specific diversion targets to consider for investigation. My group receives strategic intelligence regarding general trends in diversion. My group receives another type of intelligence. (Describe:) _______________ For what types of diversion investigations would you be most likely to request intelligence support? (Check all that apply.) For priority target investigations (CPOT, RPOT) For OCDETF investigations For HIDTA investigations For investigations involving complex financial transactions For investigations involving toll analysis For investigations involving the Internet Other (Describe:) _______________ How satisfied are you with the intelligence support that your group has received from the intelligence group in your office? (Check one box.) Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Not at all satisfied 24a. If you answered “Not at all satisfied” to Q24, explain why: ________________ In 2005, approximately how many of the controlled pharmaceutical investigations conducted by your group required some type of intelligence support? (Check one box.) All investigations Most investigations Some investigations No investigations Since 2002, would you say that the need for intelligence support in diversion investigations for your group has increased, stayed the same, or decreased? (Check one box.) Increased Stayed the same Decreased Describe any additional intelligence resources (e.g., access to investigative leads, intelligence analysts, or databases) necessary for your group to conduct diversion investigations: (Describe:) _______________________ E. DIVERSION INVESTIGATIONS The following section asks about your interaction with the Special Operations Division (SOD) in headquarters and your familiarity with its Webcrawler program/Online Investigations Project. The Webcrawler program/Online Investigations Project allows SOD to provide data, such as IP address and registration information, regarding specific websites or email addresses. In 2005, how many of the following diversion investigations has your group initiated? (Enter a number in each row.) Investigations of controlled pharmaceutical diversion involving the Internet (i.e., suspicious Internet pharmacies or email addresses) Investigations of controlled pharmaceutical diversion not involving the Internet. Since 2002, would you say that the number of the following diversion investigations that your group has conducted has increased, stayed the same, or decreased? (Check one box in each row.)   Increased Stayed the same Decreased Have not conducted any Investigations of controlled pharmaceutical diversion involving the Internet (i.e., suspicious Internet pharmacies or email addresses) Investigations of controlled pharmaceutical diversion not involving the Internet. Do you contact the Special Operations Division prior to initiating an Internet investigation? (Check one box.) Yes No Unsure Have not initiated any Internet investigations Has the Special Operations Division ever provided your group with information gathered through the Webcrawler? (Check one box.) Yes No Unsure Have not initiated any Internet investigations 31a. If you answered “Yes” to Q31, how satisfied were you with the Webcrawler information that was provided? (Check one box.) Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Not at all satisfied Which of the following types of undercover equipment does your group have for conducting Internet investigations? (Check all that apply.) Computer Credit card Internet Service Provider account (such as AOL) Internet connection (i.e., DSL, cable modem, or dial-up connection) Post Office box Which of the following types of undercover equipment has your group used for conducting Internet investigations? (Check all that apply.) Computer Credit card Internet Service Provider account (such as AOL) Internet connection (i.e., DSL, cable modem, or dial-up connection) Post Office box 33b. If you have not used any of the undercover equipment in Q33, please explain why: (Describe:)_______________ Describe any additional resources that are necessary for your group to conduct the following investigations. (Describe in each row.) Investigations of controlled pharmaceutical diversion involving the Internet (i.e., suspicious Internet pharmacies or email addresses) Investigations of controlled pharmaceutical diversion not involving the Internet. In 2005, how many cases involving controlled pharmaceutical diversion from your group have been presented and accepted by the U.S. Attorneys’ Office? (Enter a number in each row.) Number of cases presented to the U.S. Attorneys’ Office Number of cases accepted by the U.S. Attorneys’ Office F. TRAINING Other than the Basic Diversion Investigator Training Course received by all diversion investigators, which of the following additional training courses have been taken by diversion investigators in your group? (Check all that apply) Asset forfeiture training Financial investigation seminar Conspiracy and complex investigation training GATEWAY training Internet telecommunications exploitation school (offered by SOD) Other (Describe:) ____________________ How adequate is the training that the diversion investigators in your group have received? (Check one box.) Very adequate Mostly adequate Not adequate 37a. If you answered “Not adequate” to Q37, what additional training would be useful for diversion investigators in your group? (Describe:) Have the diversion investigators in your group received any specific training regarding how to prepare cases for the U.S. Attorneys’ Office? (Check one box.) Yes No Unsure 38a. If you answered “No” to Q38, please describe any additional resources that the diversion investigators in your group have access to for assistance in preparing cases for the U.S. Attorneys’ Office? (Describe:) __________________ G. CONCLUSION In your opinion, how true are each of the following statements? (Check one box in each row.)   Very true Somewhat true Not true at all Don’t know The problem of diversion has grown in my DEA office’s geographic area since 2002. The availability of controlled pharmaceuticals available over the Internet has increased substantially since 2002. In general, the nature of the problem has changed from lower-level diversion (i.e., doctor shoppers) to higher-level diversion (i.e., organized drug rings selling large quantities of controlled pharmaceuticals) since 2002. The DEA’s efforts to control the diversion of pharmaceuticals have improved since 2002.