Ambassador Martinez Hands Out Prestigious Award from DEA

October 30, 2009

Ambassador Martinez presents the award

On October 30, Ambassador Vilma Martinez presented the prestigious "Enrique Camarena," award from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), to a leading member of the Federal Police of Argentina, during an annual ceremony of the School of Cadets Institution, Colonel Ramon L. Falcon.

"It was an honor for me to give the Argentine officer Barrale this honorable distinction from the DEA agents, in recognition of his determined efforts in the fight against the terrible problem of drug trafficking," said Ambassador Martinez.

This distinction, awarded in memory of Enrique Camarena to the Argentine officer Juan Carlos Barral, symbolizes the strength shown by law enforcement officials when addressing the dangers inherent in the global fight against drug trafficking.

* About Enrique Camarena Award

DEA Special Agent, Enrique S. Camarena, was stationed in the DEA office in Guadalajara, Mexico. On 7 February 1985, Special Agent Camarena was kidnapped and tortured by Mexican drug traffickers. It is believed that Agent Camarena's death, at age 37, occurred on February 9th  but his body was discovered on March 5, 1985.

The death of Special Agent Camarena, which happened in the line of duty, represents the ultimate sacrifice made by a law enforcement officer engaged in the fight against drug trafficking.