ODPP and United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, held a key meeting with Mr. Karl Ash, the Country Attaché of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two institutions in dismantling transnational organized crime in Kenya.

The discussion underscored the long-standing partnership between the ODPP and USDEA, which has yielded significant results. The collaborative efforts have included capacity building and training for ODPP staff, Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), and technical assistance to enhance prosecutorial capacities.

The DPP expressed his gratitude for USDEA’s unwavering support and significant contributions to capacity building within the ODPP, emphasizing how this support has been critical in enhancing the office’s ability to effectively carry out its mandate. The DPP emphasized the importance of collaboration in the fight against transnational organized crime, particularly narcotics-related criminal networks.

Mr. Karl Ash reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continued cooperation with the ODPP, emphasizing their shared mission to advance justice in Kenya. He stated that the war on drugs cannot be won by a single country and hence the need for cooperation and collaboration.

Some of the key areas on which the two institutions were keen to collaborate on include joint capacity building and training, prosecution-led investigations into drug cartels and related criminal activities, intelligence sharing, and technical expertise, among others.

The DEA operates under the U.S. Department of Justice and is responsible for enforcing drug laws and dismantling narcotics-related criminal networks. In Kenya, the DEA collaborates with law enforcement agencies to combat illicit drug trafficking, money laundering, and other transnational crimes.