republished and reported to the world in youarewithinthenorms.com
NORMAN J CLEMENT RPH., DDS, NORMAN L. CLEMENT PHARM-TECH, MALACHI F. MACKANDAL PHARMD, BELINDA BROWN-PARKER, IN THE SPIRIT OF JOSEPH SOLVO ESQ., INC.T. SPIRIT OF REV. IN THE SPIRIT OF WALTER R. CLEMENT BS., MS, MBA. HARVEY JENKINS MD, PH.D., IN THE SPIRIT OF C.T. VIVIAN, JELANI ZIMBABWE CLEMENT, BS., MBA., IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HON. PATRICE LUMUMBA, IN THE SPIRIT OF ERLIN CLEMENT SR., WALTER F. WRENN III., MD., JULIE KILLINGSWORTH, RENEE BLARE, RPH, DR. TERENCE SASAKI, MD LESLY POMPY MD., CHRISTOPHER RUSSO, MD., NANCY SEEFELDT, WILLIE GUINYARD BS., JOSEPH WEBSTER MD., MBA, BEVERLY C. PRINCE MD., FACS., NEIL ARNAND, MD., RICHARD KAUL, MD., LEROY BAYLOR, JAY K. JOSHI MD., MBA, ADRIENNE EDMUNDSON, ESTER HYATT PH.D., WALTER L. SMITH BS., IN THE SPIRIT OF BRAHM FISHER ESQ., MICHELE ALEXANDER MD., CUDJOE WILDING BS, MARTIN NJOKU, BS., RPH., IN THE SPIRIT OF DEBRA LYNN SHEPHERD, BERES E. MUSCHETT, STRATEGIC ADVISORS
BY
DEA WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS MASS FRAUD AND CORRUPTION
The article by Laura Williams, originally republished in youarewithinthenorms.com in December 2022, asserts that the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is a colossal institutional failure, arguing that despite a massive budget, it has been ineffective in curbing the drug trade, which sees drugs becoming cheaper and more accessible.
A central point is the claim of mass fraud and corruption within the DEA, highlighted by the case of former agent José Irizarry, who exposed widespread malfeasance, including agents falsifying reports, skimming money and drugs, and engaging in personal enrichment on the taxpayers’ dime.
The author contends that the DEA operates as a criminal enterprise with no oversight, suggesting that the “drug war” is a lucrative “game” for those within federal law
“Is Anybody Surprised“
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is a colossal institutional failure. Since its founding in 1973, the DEA has intercepted a fraction of one percent of illicit drug trades. Drugs have never been stronger, cheaper, or more available. Meanwhile, the global economic and human costs of ‘enforcement’ keep rising.
“…Irizarry told the AP that dozens of other federal agents, prosecutors, smugglers, and snitches on the US payroll (collectively known as “Team America”) engaged in global jetset adventures on the DEA’s dime…”
Recently, Americans received a stark reminder of this ongoing, flagrant failure in the form of José Irizarry, a former award-winning DEA agent who was convicted of 19 counts of corruption and fraud in 2020.
On his way to serve federal time in Puerto Rico in January 2022, Irizarry spoke to the Associated press, calling out his ex-colleagues and spilling a few agency secrets.
“You can’t win an unwinnable war. DEA knows this and the agents know this,” Irizarry told reporters, validating decades of criticism. “…We know we’re not making a difference.”
While some money and effort were spent intercepting, or at least tracking, drugs and money between the 69 countries in which the DEA has a presence, what were agents up to on the taxpayers’ dime?
DEA, FEDERAL PROSECUTORS, SMUGGLERS, AN AMERICAN TEAM OF CORRUPTION THAT HAS NO OVERSIGHT
Irizarry revealed to the Associated Press that a substantial number of federal agents, prosecutors, smugglers, and informants, all part of what he referred to as “Team America,” have been enjoying lavish global travel funded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He estimates that a staggering 90e trips taken by his team were essentially “bogus,” meaning they had little to no connection to actual drug interdiction efforts.
These trips, however, were charged to the government under a vague rationale that they were somehow “case-related,” thereby masking the misuse of federal resources for personal enjoyment and extravagant travel.
Agents falsified the few reports they did file, skimmed massive amounts of drugs and cash from sting operations, and set up meetings in cities to attend elite soccer and tennis matches. As long as Team America could report “stats” that made the DEA look good, no one questioned what they were up to. Another two dozen agents are under related investigations, according to the AP.
Irizarry’s accusations are the subject of ongoing internal investigations, but they are hardly the first concerns raised about corrupt behavior by DEA agents. In 2015, the Justice Department and the Associated Press confirmed agents participated in sexual encounters with prostitutes employed by Colombian drug cartels in their government-leased living quarters, no less.
DEA personnel laundered millions of dollars through shell companies,
DEA agents have been convicted of smuggling narcotics themselves and taking bribes to look the other way while criminal enterprises did the same. A 2020 report by the Inspector General identified dozens of operations in which DEA personnel laundered millions of dollars through shell companies, an approved tactic that empowers cartels and allows significant sums to be diverted for agents’ lavish living. For at least 15 years, DEA hadn’t even bothered filing reports on these income-generating undercover schemes.
The DEA’s budget of $3 billion is part of an estimated total enforcement cost of $100 billion, which includes $25.7 billion in state and local funds, often from cash-strapped communities whose needs are far more immediate.
But the costs are not limited to bloated and wasted budgets. Five Nobel Laureates in Economics have called for an end to the drug war, citing the policy’s failure to achieve its objectives of reducing the supply or demand for drugs, as well as its diversion of funds from public health and other responses that might genuinely save lives.
A multidisciplinary report titled “Counting the Cost” attempts to quantify the failure: “Despite increased resources directed to supply-side enforcement, evidence suggests that drug prices, while remaining far higher than legal commodities, have decreased over the past three decades. From 1990 to 2005, for instance, the wholesale price of heroin fell by 77 percent in Europe and 71 percent in the US.”
In remarks recorded by a DEA-employed infiltrator, Mexican cartel bigwig Jorge Roman said traffickers were grateful for the drug war, which he called “a sham put on the American tax-payer” that was “actually good for business.”
THEFT BY ASSET FORFEITURE
“What’s good for violent drug cartels is good for the DEA, but bad for the rest of the human race. DEA agents are immersed in a violent and shady world, largely subsidized by US taxpayers and through theft via asset forfeiture. DEA agents have tortured and murdered innocent people who happened to be near drug activity. The DEA’s punitive prohibition of cocaine precipitated the spread of crack. The DEA’s misguided attempts to reduce opiate misuse fueled an overdose epidemic.”
DRUG DEALERS WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BADGES AND WITH FEDERAL AUTHORITY
“DEA is a game. Drug war is a game,” Irizzary told the AP when interviewed. “It was a very fun game that we were playing.”
That game might be fun and lucrative for federal enforcers and other insiders in the drug trade. But the DEA’s game makes the rest of humanity its losers.
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Former DEA agent: assets can determine whose office practice they raid
Detailed Timeline of Main Events
- 1973: The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is founded.
- For at least 15 years prior to 2020: The DEA had not consistently filed reports on income-generating undercover schemes, including those involving shell companies to launder money.
- 1990 – 2005: The wholesale price of heroin significantly decreased (77% in Europe, 71% in the US), despite increased resources directed at supply-side drug enforcement.
- 2015: The Justice Department and the Associated Press confirm that DEA agents participated in sexual encounters with prostitutes employed by Colombian drug cartels in government-leased living quarters.
- 2020:José Irizarry, a former award-winning DEA agent, is convicted of 19 counts of corruption and fraud.
- A report by the Inspector General identifies dozens of operations where DEA personnel laundered millions of dollars through shell companies.
- January 2022: José Irizarry speaks to the Associated Press on his way to serve federal time in Puerto Rico, accusing former colleagues of corruption and revealing agency secrets.
- December 2, 2022: Laura Williams writes the article “DEA WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS MASS FRAUD AND CORRUPTION.”
- June 7, 2023: The article “THE US DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (DEA) IS A COLOSSAL INSTITUTIONAL FAILURE: WHEN IS CONGRESS GOING TO GET ‘WOKE”???” is published on youarewithinthenorms.com (initially dated December 2, 2022, by Laura Williams, republished June 7, 2023).
- June 8, 2023: A comment from “clint” is posted, stating “abolish the DEA, they are crooks!!!”
- June 10, 2023: The article on youarewithinthenorms.com is updated/republished.
Cast of Characters
- José Irizarry: A former award-winning DEA agent convicted of 19 counts of corruption and fraud in 2020. He became a whistleblower, speaking to the Associated Press in January 2022, accusing former colleagues of involvement in skimming millions of dollars, engaging in “bogus” work trips for personal gain (sex parties, fast cars, elite sporting events), and participating in a “game” that benefits federal enforcers and drug-trade insiders. He referred to corrupt agents, prosecutors, smugglers, and snitches on the US payroll as “Team America.”
- Laura Williams: Author of the article “DEA WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS MASS FRAUD AND CORRUPTION,” dated December 2, 2022, which forms the basis of the larger piece.
- Jorge Roman: A “Mexican cartel bigwig” mentioned as being recorded by a DEA-employed infiltrator, stating that traffickers were grateful for the “drug war,” which he called “a sham put on the American tax-payer” that was “actually good for business.”
- “Team America”: A collective term used by José Irizarry to describe dozens of federal agents, prosecutors, smugglers, and snitches on the US payroll who allegedly engaged in global “jetset adventures” on the DEA’s dime, falsified reports, skimmed drugs and cash, and participated in corrupt activities.
- Five Nobel Laureates in Economics: Unnamed, but cited as having called for an end to the drug war due to its failure and misdirection of funds.
- Scott Thomas and his dog Max: Mentioned at the end of the article, but their specific role or significance is not elaborated upon.
- Norman J Clement RPH., DDS: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Norman L. Clement Pharm-Tech: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Malachi F. Mackandal PharmD: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Belinda Brown-Parker: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Joseph Solvo Esq.: Mentioned “in the spirit of” among the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Rev. in the spirit of Walter R. Clement BS., MS, MBA: Mentioned “in the spirit of” among the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Harvey Jenkins MD, PH.D.: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- C.T. Vivian: Mentioned “in the spirit of” among the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Jelani Zimbabwe Clement, BS., MBA.: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group, and mentioned “in the spirit of The Hon. Patrice Lumumba.”
- The Hon. Patrice Lumumba: Mentioned “in the spirit of” among the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Erlin Clement Sr.: Mentioned “in the spirit of” among the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Walter F. Wrenn III., MD.: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Julie Killingsworth: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Renee Blare, RPH: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Dr. Terence Sasaki, MD: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group, and later mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Lesly Pompy MD: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group, and later mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Christopher Russo, MD: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Nancy Seefeldt: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Willie Guinyard BS.: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Joseph Webster MD., MBA: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Beverly C. Prince MD., FACS.: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Neil Arnand, MD: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group, and later mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Richard Kaul, MD: Listed as part of the “Medical Advocates” and “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Leroy Baylor: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Jay K. Joshi MD., MBA: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Adrienne Edmundson: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Ester Hyatt PH.D.: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Walter L. Smith BS.: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Brahm Fisher Esq.: Mentioned “in the spirit of” among the “Strategic Advisors.”
- Michele Alexander MD: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Cudjoe Wilding BS: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Martin Njoku, BS., RPH.: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Debra Lynn Shepherd: Mentioned “in the spirit of” among the “Strategic Advisors.”
- Beres E. Muschett: Listed as a “Strategic Advisor” for the “youarewithinthenorms” group.
- Paul Volkman, MD: Mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Linda Cheeks, MD: Mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- David Lewis, MD: Mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Richard Lawhern, PH.D.: Mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Victor Obi, PharmD: Mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Amy Fuqua: Mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- Leland Peacock: Mentioned as one of the individuals to whom Irizarry’s “game” comment should be addressed.
- clint: A commenter on the article who advocated for abolishing the DEA.
