Conversation 879-001

TapeTape 879StartWednesday, March 14, 1973 at 10:54 AMEndWednesday, March 14, 1973 at 11:01 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Shepard, Geoffrey C.; Acree, Vernon D.; Seeley, Albert; Boulad, Paul; Nunnery, Robert; Hopkins, Richard; Fassler, GustaveRecording deviceOval Office

AI Summary

President Nixon met with Customs officials and staff, including Vernon D. Acree, to acknowledge a significant heroin seizure and commend the agents' efforts in drug interdiction. The discussion focused on the impact of drug trafficking on American lives, with Nixon highlighting the need for stricter drug laws, including mandatory sentencing and limited probation. The President also emphasized the importance of aggressive federal enforcement and expressed his personal appreciation for the agents' work and risks.

Heroin traffickingCustoms enforcementMandatory sentencingDrug policyLaw enforcementNixon administration

Audio

NARA Description

On March 14, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Geoffrey C. Shepard, Vernon D. Acree, Albert Seeley, Paul Boulad, Robert Nunnery, Richard Hopkins, and Gustave Fassler met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:54 am and 11:01 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 879-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 879-1

Date: March 14, 1973
Time: Unknown between 10:54 am and 11:01 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Vernon D. Acree, Albert Seeley, Paul Boulad, Robert Nunnery, Richard
Hopkins, Gustave Fassler, and Geoffrey C. Shepard. Members of the press and the White House
photographer were present at the beginning of the meeting.

       Introductions
             -New York

       Heroin seizure
            -Amount, weight
            -Value
            -Trafficker

[Photograph session]

       Drug traffic
            -Apprehension of drug traffickers
            -Amount of heroin
                    -Impact on human lives
                           -Sentences
                           -Comparison with Vietnam War casualties
            -Agents
                    -Work
                           -Customs
                           -Enforcement
            -New laws
                    -Stiff penalties
                    -Mandatory sentences
                           -Probation eligibility
                                 -Conduct

       Presidential gifts
             -Cufflinks
                                                 -2-

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Mar.-09)
                                                          Conversation No. 879-1 (cont’d)

        Work of agents
             -Congratulations
             -Apprehension of drug traffickers
             -Congress’s role
                   -Laws
             -Agents’ families

Acree, et al., left at 11:01 am.

Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Thank you, Mr. Henry.

This is the cost of debit money.

This is the one that I'm going to share with you.

This is $10,000 pounds of heroin.

Right?

This is $10,000 pounds of heroin.

Thank you for watching.

Thank you.

Terima kasih telah menonton

Hai hai hai hai

Thank you for watching.

So we have here, as a result of these men of color, and the hero of our people right here, and the whole connection of an individual, who was a heaven-sent man, but was not to be here, because of his parents, and now, but one and two, are supposed to be showing fight on the person I would say, these men have saved, men have died.

I know the dangers that be judged from me,

Thank you for watching.

We're going to have sicker police.

We're going to have mandatory census.

This is going to be full of received volunteers.

And our concern will be what happens when after two years of probation officer feels perhaps he's had a record of good conduct following the prison.

Thank you.

Thank you for watching.

Thank you.

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