Embassy Press Release

U.S. Embassy in Bucharest and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration train Romanian police officers about undercover operations and surveillance techniques

May 18, 2009

U.S. Chargé d'Affair Jeri Guthrie-Corn presents her remarks during the opening of the training seminar at SECI Center, May 18, 2009

BUCHAREST, May 18th – The SECI Center hosts this week a training seminar, organized by the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, attended by Romanian Police officers.

A team of DEA Special Agents, based at the (DEA) Office of International Training in Quantico, Virginia will provide instruction on a number of subjects including Undercover Operations, Surveillance and other relevant topics.

Mrs. Jeri Guthrie-Corn, the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Bucharest highlighted the responsibility of the Romanian officers as the country is an external frontier of the European Union.

"Once a drug shipment enters Romania, it is free to move within European Union countries with little or no further inspection. International drug enforcement is more important than ever before, not only because of the widespread violence associated with drug trafficking, but also due to the relationship between drug-trafficking organizations and terrorism. We know that illegal drug profits fuel terrorism-approximately half of all terrorist organizations are known to be involved in drug trafficking," Mrs. Guthrie-Corn stated.

Gabriel Sotirescu, the SECI Center deputy director, stressed the role of cooperation in countering drug trafficking and showed the organization’s commitment to continue to support the regional efforts.

The Drug Enforcement Administration maintains a permanent representation at the SECI Center and cooperates with the organization’s 13 member countries.

"For years, DEA has been privileged to work side by side with Romanian law enforcement authorities on numerous investigations. This seminar is an opportunity for the Romanian Police officers and DEA Special Agents to learn from each other through an exchange of ideas and experience," Harry J. Giknavorian, DEA Supervisory Special Agent representative at SECI Center declared.

The seminar is part of a region wide project of sharing experience with the law enforcement officers.

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