The Drug Enforcement Administration spent hundreds of millions of dollars on its Confidential Source Program but failed to accurately track the validity of all sources or the return on investment of payments, according to a Department of Justice Office of Inspector General report released Sept. 29.
Between 2010 and 2015, the DEA doled out approximately $237 million on information or services from confidential sources, but without adequate oversight. After conducting dozens of interviews and reviewing nine field offices, the IG audit found the DEA had more than18,000 active confidential sources, with more than 9,000 of those receiving the documented payments. However, multiple policies were not in full compliance with the attorney general’s Guidelines Regarding the Use of Confidential Informants, complicating DEA’s efforts to manage information.
Multiple instances were found where payments were made to sources "deactivated" from the program for arrest warrants or committing serious offenses. "Limited-use" sources were disproportionately paid and given direct guidance beyond what these low-supervision, independent "tipsters" (including Amtrak and TSA employees) are supposed to receive.
Payments were made to sources who claimed the funds were needed to recruit sub-sources, but insufficient information was collected on the extent of and results from these payments. The DEA's Intelligence Division also failed to adequately track payments to and contributions from its narcotics-related intelligence activities.
The report made several recommendations on ways the DEA could address how to assess program risks, benefits and legalities; determine appropriate compensation and document payment justification; track source activity and consistency; safeguard tips and personally identifiable information through government-approved accounts and hardware; and evaluate the integrity and internal controls of information and policies between field offices and headquarters.
The full text of the report can be viewed on the OIG's website.
