First Responders

The DEA Announces New Initiative, Project Safeguard, and Preliminary Results

October 21, 2020Joshua Skovlund
DEA

Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. Photo courtesy of the DEA.

The Drug Enforcement Administration announced Tuesday a new initiative, Project Safeguard, and the preliminary results since its August 2020 launch. The project was started to combat violent crime in connection with drug trafficking organizations.  


“Drug trafficking and violent crime are inextricably linked. From the extreme levels of violence in Mexican cartels, to the open air drug markets in American cities, drug traffickers employ violence, fear, and intimidation to ply their trade,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea in a press release. “Neighborhoods across our country are terrorized by violent drug trafficking organizations that have little regard for human life, and profit from the pain and suffering of our people. Along with our law enforcement partners, DEA is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of our communities.”


DEA
Some of the drugs seized during Operation Crystal Shield, a DEA operation. Photo courtesy of the DEA.

Project Safeguard has resulted in the arrest of more than 1,500 violent drug traffickers — 40 of which were labeled “dangerous fugitives” — more than 13,400 pounds of illegal drugs seized, the confiscation of 2,130 weapons, and the seizure of almost $24 million in profits from various drug cartels. The DEA, along with its multi-agency partners, also seized more than 30,000 rounds of ammunition, pipe bombs, and other types of explosives. 


There are three main goals of Project Safeguard: to “disrupt, dismantle and destroy” the most prominent and violent drug trafficking organizations throughout the US. The DEA enhanced its interagency collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) by sharing intelligence in order to enhance federal prosecution of illegal firearms traffickers in conjunction with drug trafficking organizations. The DEA is placing extra emphasis on capturing violent drug traffickers by enhancing their collaboration with the US Marshals Service. 


Katherine Pfaff, a DEA spokeswoman, responded via email in regard to why Project Safeguard is different from past approaches to violent crime and drug trafficking. She explained that this new initiative builds on and enhances investigations conducted by other operations like Operation Legend and Operation Relentless Pursuit. In addition to targeting violent drug trafficking organizations, the DEA, “seeks to work with community groups to prevent the next generation from turning to a life of crime and violence. DEA, through our outreach efforts, has formed great partnerships with community groups across the country to do just that.”


 


DEA project safeguard
Some of the firearms seized by the DEA during a drug bust. Photo courtesy of the DEA.

The DEA has been operating in major metropolitan areas like Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Approximately 33,000 criminal organizations are active in the US, according to the FBI. Drug traffickers are often responsible for assaults, murders, and other nefarious gang activities throughout the US. 


“These criminals employ fear, violence, and intimidation to traffic drugs, and in doing so, exacerbate a drug crisis that claims more than 70,000 American lives every year. DEA is committed to treating these crimes as homicides, where appropriate,” Shea said. 


Drug trafficking organizations have ties to the larger and more dangerous Mexican cartels that distribute illicit drugs, often using violence to intimidate their competitors. In many major drug busts, the DEA and its multi-agency partners seize the illegal drugs as well as caches of illegal firearms.



Joshua Skovlund
Joshua Skovlund

Joshua Skovlund is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die. He has covered the 75th anniversary of D-Day in France, multinational military exercises in Germany, and civil unrest during the 2020 riots in Minneapolis. Born and raised in small-town South Dakota, he grew up playing football and soccer before serving as a forward observer in the US Army. After leaving the service, he worked as a personal trainer while earning his paramedic license. After five years as in paramedicine, he transitioned to a career in multimedia journalism. Joshua is married with two children. His creative outlets include Skovlund Photography and Concentrated Emotion.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
navy seal training
Navy SEALS Training Plagued by Massive Problems, According To Investigation

Medical oversight and care were “poorly organized, poorly integrated and poorly led and put candidat...

memorial day arlington
Memorial Day Is a Day of Remembrance, Not Celebration

Memorial Day was created as a remembrance to honor the fallen by decorating graves — a holiday meant...

air force joint chiefs
Air Force Fighter Pilot Tapped As Next Joint Chiefs Chairman Has History of Firsts

The Air Force fighter pilot about to be nominated as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ...

sowf special operations warrior foundation
BRCC Donates $500K to Special Operations Warrior Foundation

In an effort to continue Black Rifle Coffee Company’s mission of supporting the veteran community, B...

Coca Cola 600
BRCC to Honor Fallen Marine During NASCAR’s Legendary Coca-Cola 600

Black Rifle Coffee Company will honor Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Menusa during NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 this Memorial Day. Menusa was killed in 2003 during the invasion of Iraq.

uss gerald r. ford oslo
US Aircraft Carrier Arrives In NATO Member Norway, To Take Part In Drills

The nuclear-powered ship USS Gerald R. Ford entered the Oslo fjord escorted by a rapid dinghy-type boat with armed personnel on board.

adam driver indy 500
Marine Vet, Actor Adam Driver Named Honorary Starter for Indianapolis 500

Two-time Academy Award nominee Adam Driver, who will soon be starring as Enzo Ferrari in a biopic of...

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Request a Correction
  • Write for Us
  • General Inquiries
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved