Targeted Narcotics Enforcement Team

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The Houston Police Department's Targeted Narcotics Enforcement Team will develop and use informants and other sources of information, coupled with intelligence data, to specifically target individuals who are operating cells of the Gulf Cartel and violent prison gangs in order to curtail their ability to infuse drugs into local communities. Using intelligence as a basis for operations, investigators will couple their experience in the field with information and observations in the field to identify targets and determine any associations that indicate cartel or gang alignments.

NCA/CF