The Cape Fear Initiative is a multi-agency partnership of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies that conduct major narcotics investigations targeting Mexico-based DTOs operating in Eastern North Carolina. The initiative is a collocated group housed at, and led by, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Wilmington, NC (New Hanover County). The task force utilizes a variety of investigative techniques to target, identify, disrupt, and dismantle DTOs and Money Laundering Organizations (MLOs) operating in the region.
The initiative targets transportation routes along the I-95 and I-40 corridors to identify DTOs that are supplying illicit drugs throughout the eastern U.S. The initiative also targets the wholesale distributors operating within the rural, less-populated counties surrounding New Hanover County.