FBI gets wider role in US war on drugs

By With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Karla Vallance

January 22, 1982

Washington

Attorney General William French Smith gave the FBI an expanded role Thursday in the nation's war on drugs in a move to crack down on domestic drug trafficking.

The reorganization will have the FBI aiding the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating trafficking. The head of the DEA, who has reported to the attorney general directly, now will report to him through the head of the FBI. Mr. Smith said this brings the full resources of the FBI to bear on drug trafficking.