AFTER INVESTIGATING

Here is an internal memo from the Houston DEA office written after the
DEA's Office of Professional Review examined the Rap-A-Lot inquiry.

DEA memorandum
Sept. 27, 1999
From Jim B. Nims, Group 4 Supervisor, Houston Field Office
Subject- Mr. James A. Smith aka "Prince" and related OPR investigation

The purpose of this memorandum is to comment on the active OPR
investigation currently targeting Enforcement Group 4 of the Houston
Field Office regarding allegations made by Mr. James A. Smith, aka
James Prince.

Upon my arrival in August 1998, as the Group Supervisor for Enforcement
Group 4, Houston Field Office, I was advised that the group had been
mandated by the Houston Field Division management to actively pursue
and target the alleged drug activities of Mr. Smith and his Rap-A-Lot
enterprise. There had already existed an open OCDETF investigation
...on Mr. Smith of which he was the title file. ....

Since that time, Group 4 has spun off four (4) additional OCDEFT cases
with ties and direct connections to 'Rap-A-Lot.' Thus far in the
investigation, there have been twenty-one (21) arrests (some of those
being current/prior employees/associates of Mr. Smith), a large
quantity of crack cocaine seized (including the largest seizure of
'crack' cocaine in the Houston area), and a number of assets seized.

It is my understanding that the allegations raised by Mr. Smith center
on alleged civil rights violations and conduct unbecoming agent(s). I
would like to go on record as saying that I have been present on
virtually all enforcement operations conducted by my group and the
behavior of the agents ...do not substantiate the allegations. ...I
have never observed, nor would I tolerate, any unnecessary force of
racial remarks from personnel under my supervision.

In regard to the OPR investigation, it is very disturbing for a number
of reasons. Aside from the allegations, to the best of my knowledge,
being completely false, it appears that Mr. Smith has a pattern of
manipulating influential people when investigators get 'too close' to
him. It has been brought to my attention that several years ago HPD had
an investigation targeting him and he contacted dozens of supporters,
who staged a protest in the downtown area of Houston in support of him.
Shortly after this, Mr. Smith had several articles printed in the
'Houston Chronicle' in which he claims that he was being harassed and
set up by law enforcement, and that there was a conspiracy by DEA
against him. ... It is also unclear to me why Mr. Smith went to
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who does not represent Mr. Smith's
district or even the state of Texas. ....

Perhaps my greatest concern is what the current OPR investigation has
on the morale not only on the personnel in Group 4 but for all the HFD
enforcement groups, especially the younger, newer agents. I know that
OPR has interviewed two new agents in my group who arrived for duty on
Aug. 2, 1999, and Aug. 30, 1999. Neither were involved in the Rap-A-Lot
investigation. It will remain to be seen how this investigation will
affect their approach to drug law enforcement, including their future
productivity.

I have recently been instructed by HFD SAC Ernest Howard not to pursue
any new leads regarding James Smith, Rap-A-Lot, et al, until t he OPR
investigation is cleared; however, we are cleared to talk to any
witnesses and participate in any judicial proceedings. This is
unfortunate because there are still many investigative leads and
enforcement operations to carry out. ....

In conclusion, I would respectfully request that you ... allow us to
continue in our pursuit of justice against Mr. James A. Smith, aka
Prince without allowing his manipulative tactics to influence our
decisions in our course of action. Mr. Smith is obviously using his
influential power to further insulate himself and continue his illegal
operations. He would not be doing this if he did not feel threatened
because of our successes.

If we are serious about winning the war on drugs, history has taught us
that drawbacks or hesitations after a victorious battle only gives the
enemy time to regroup, thereby causing the loss of hard fought, costly
gains.