He has led multi-agency law enforcement operations in prominent international investigations of illicit drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations. Joe has also spearheaded efforts in Counter Threat Finance, focusing on disrupting the flow of illicit funds that support terrorism. Most recently, Joe served for three years as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s country attaché at the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, overseeing operations in Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti, Eritrea, Central Africa Republic, Somalia, and Kenya. Prior to this, he commanded the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and served as an assistant country attaché in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During his first decade with the Drug Enforcement Administration, he led seizures of multiple tons of heroin and cocaine, including an investigation resulting in the indictment and conviction of high-level Taliban members for heroin distribution. Before his federal service, Joe was an officer in the New York City Police Department, assigned to the Organized Crime Control Bureau.
Joseph F.
Thompson
Managing Director
Americas | New York office
Joe brings over 24 years of experience as a federal narcotics agent.
Representative matters
- Orchestrated a ten-month undercover operation in the Dominican Republic that resulted in the seizure of one ton of cocaine and the arrest of British and Dutch citizens and led to the arrest of a designated super facilitator who laundered funds and supplied weapons to the target gang.
- To combat a Mexican cartel responsible for smuggling over $90 million worth of cocaine into the US, Joe spearheaded an initiative aimed at fostering cooperation between the US and Mexican authorities who were attempting to dismantle the cartel, which was led by a designated Consolidated Priority Organization Target. Following the seizure from cartel members of approximately $8 million in bulk currency and 850 pounds of cocaine, the target and twenty-four associated individuals were arrested and convicted in US federal court.
- Led an investigation into a sophisticated operation headed by an Afghan duo that manufactured heroin in Afghanistan and Pakistan to supply wholesalers in the New York metropolitan area. Because the duo allocated half their profits to the Taliban, the Taliban protected their opium fields. The investigation culminated in the conviction of seven organization members in New York federal court.
Languages spoken
- English (Fluent)
Education
- BA, State University of New York at Old Westbury
Recognition & awards
- DEA Administrator’s Award
- Recognized for Outstanding Investigative Efforts – Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force
- Recognized for Outstanding Investigative Efforts – Office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York
- Outstanding Case Agent – Office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York
- Special Agent of the Year – Association of Federal Narcotics Agents
- Recognized for Outstanding Investigative Efforts – Office of the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey
- Recognized for Outstanding Investigative Efforts – Operation Penttbom Investigation – Post September 11, 2001 – Federal Bureau of Investigation
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