The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics will develop a state-wide secure drug enforcement network to curtail the exponential growth in the illicit production, and distribution of illegal drugs, including marijuana, crack cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine. In the post period since September 11, 2001, the alarming similarities of terrorist operatives, and drug counter-culture activities is alarming, and poses a threat, whether real or perceived, to the well-being of the average Mississippian. Because of the depressed economic and social conditions in some areas of Mississippi, covert drug trafficking has increased through the use interstate highways, both rail and cargo shipping, and commercial airlines. The highly active Mississippi gambling and gaming industry provides an opportune conduit for laundering large sums of money. The threat that drug trafficking poses, and the caliber of criminal that it attracts far outstrips the capabilities of any single law enforcement agency.
Accordingly, Mississippi is striving to develop a comprehensive, secure, criminal investigation telecommunications network with equipment located in each of twelve district offices. It will address the states long-term needs with a Virtual Private Network infrastructure available to all levels of state, and local law enforcement officials. It will allow for the rapid dissemination of classified, and confidential information leading to the arrest, and prosecution of criminals who have become involved in the drug counter-culture that poses the greatest internal threat to homeland security. The enhanced coordination, and cooperation in the war against drugs will allow Federal, such as the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Drug Intelligence Center, State law enforcement agencies, local police departments, and sheriff's offices, and other out of state agencies such as the El Paso Intelligence Center to always have the latest statistical information, and safest methods of drug surveillance and interdiction at their disposal.
