In 1973, the Imperial County Narcotic Task Force (ICNTF) was formed by the Imperial County Sheriff*s Office (ICSO).  Funding was provided by the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA).  Charter members included Lieutenant Ted Whitmer, Sergeants Vince Palacio, Mike Singh, and Victor Wallace, Deputies Enrique *Kiki* Camarena, John Lorenz, and Joe Nava.  Addie *B* Burnett, a secretary from the Imperial County Sheriff*s Office, supported the investigative team.

The ICNTF forged a distinguished reputation as a solid narcotic investigative unit in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico.  The development of working relationships with all the local agencies has allowed the ICNTF to operate as a highly successful narcotic enforcement unit.  Due to the ICNTF*s investigative acumen, the ICNTF was able to operate successfully at the *street* level and also target Drug Trafficking Organizations.  During the mid-70s, ICNTF conducted a joint investigation with the Mexican Federal Police which resulted in the seizure of 4 kilos of cocaine and more than 20 kilos of heroin in a rural area south of Mexicali, B.C., Mexico.  This was the first bi-national operation conducted by ICNTF.

In 1978, ICNTF combined efforts with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE).  Currently, ICNTF is the oldest continuous BNE task force in California.  The first task force Commander, Ernie Halcon, and representatives from the ICSO, El Centro Police Department (ECPD), Brawley Police Department (BPD), and the Calexico Police Department (CXPD) moved into the ECPD building and began operations.  The task force has been extremely effective over the years, seizing multi-tons of narcotics and millions of dollars.

One former ICNTF member Enrique *Kiki* Camarena left the ICSO to become a Special Agent with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Camarena became a successful DEA agent who fell victim to the Caro Quintero Cartel, who tortured and murdered him.  This violent act represents the very threat narcotic agents are exposed to daily while protecting the communities.

For over three decades, ICNTF agents have stood as sentinels before the gate, stemming the flow of narcotics into the United States.  The constant link between the present and the past is ICSO*s Sergeant Joe Nava.  He is to be commended for his tireless efforts and contribution to his community, county, and state.

Members of ICNTF, past and present, are heroes who have made sacrifices, even the ultimate sacrifice, to interdict the flow of drugs into California.

Members of ICNTF stand ready to meet the challenges of narcotic enforcement in the coming years with professionalism and gusto.