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A joint initiative by the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime–Western Hemisphere (TOC‑West) unit and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has formally established the TOC‑West Vetted Team Program. This collaborative effort equips and trains national civil police forces across Latin America and the Caribbean—leveraging FBI agents, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and the 7th Special Forces Group (Green Berets)—to combat transnational organized crime at its source (reddit.com, fbi.gov).
A Complete Operational Approach
The program targets every segment of transnational criminal organizations—drug cartels, money launderers, enforcers, and those trafficking fentanyl. Through partnership, the FBI and vetted teams conduct joint investigations spanning drug trafficking, kidnappings, extortion, violent crime, and white-collar offenses .
Structured Coordination and Command
Each vetted team remains under its national law enforcement leadership, while an FBI Assistant Legal Attaché provides strategic and operational guidance, ensuring alignment with U.S. investigative priorities (fbi.gov).
Interoperability Through Comprehensive Training
Training is conducted in Spanish by bilingual instructors in partner countries, covering crucial skills: firearms safety, marksmanship, close‑quarters combat, vehicle defense, and medical first response under fire. The program includes joint exercises with DOD and SOUTHCOM, regional drills, and annual sessions at Quantico to harmonize practices (fbi.gov).
Real‑World Impacts and Shared Risk
The program has already yielded results: TOC‑West teams in Mexico captured two FBI Ten Most Wanted fugitives this year. Teams in Colombia and the Dominican Republic disrupted major narcotics shipments and protected U.S. citizens abroad (fbi.gov). However, the stakes are high—since 2023, vetted officers in the Dominican Republic and Colombia have been killed or injured on duty, underscoring the risks involved .
Strategic Significance
This initiative aligns with broader U.S. policy shifts aiming at the “total elimination” of transnational criminal organizations—a DoJ priority reflected in recent memoranda and executive orders designating certain cartels as FTOs/TCOs (skadden.com).
Looking Forward
Currently operating in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico—with Panama pending—the program is expanding based on regional threats and U.S. staffing. The model underscores a clear strategy: build local capacity to proactively disrupt criminal networks before they affect U.S. communities .
Summary:
The TOC‑West Vetted Team Program exemplifies U.S. interagency cooperation in tackling cartel violence at its origin, combining local authority with FBI strategic oversight, robust training, and real-world operational collaboration. It represents a significant shift in confronting transnational organized crime through proactive, allied-led intelligence and enforcement.
