​In 1988, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established the Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP) to aid law enforcement in detecting and apprehending individuals involved in transporting or using illicit drugs involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). DIAP focuses on employing criminal interdiction techniques to swiftly identify CMVs and drivers engaged in criminal activities during transit.

Training

National studies and surveys have shown significant increases in illicit drug seizures, impaired driver arrests, and criminal apprehensions following DIAP training sessions. In 2023, over 1,100 federal, state, and local officials across 22 states and Canada completed DIAP training and received certification.

Training covers a myriad of topics related to drug interdiction, including:

• CMV 101, Industry Norms and Standards
• Rapid Assessment Practice
• Performance Expectations
• EPIC Access
• Recognizing Items of Interest
• Cargo Handling
• Consistent with industry norms
• User-Possession-Sale (UPS) and Fentanyl Awareness
• Drugged Driver’s Characteristics Specific to Methamphetamine Users
• Tractor Concealments
• Trailer Concealments
• Rental Truck Rapid Assessment
• Rental Truck Concealments
• Straight Truck Concealments

*This list is not exhaustive.

DIAP training is facilitated by certified instructors and designed to meet agency’s specific needs. Training is delivered to law enforcement agencies free of charge.

For additional information, please contact:

Christopher Nicholas, Training Specialist/Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP)

christopher.nicholas@dot.gov  202-309-8652