Doc 0000146170

The image displays a dark background with a stylized graphic of a bank vault on the left side. The text states that the document was obtained from "The Black Vault," an online database of declassified government documents, specifically the MKULTRA/Mind Control Collection. The text further explains that this collection contains over 20,000 pages declassified by the CIA and provides a web address for download. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, stamps, forms, diagrams, tables, redactions, or visual evidence of experimental procedures present in this image. : . ' . r:l '' I .\ : .o ocr iS7s 8 r-tEr·:ORANDUH FOR: Inspector General. SUBJECT Destruction of Drug and Toxin Related F·iles ·. 1. On your instructions, I have investigated the destruction of Agency records related to drugs and toxins. This investigation was con duc1;ed beti·:een 17-30 September 1975 and was limited to avoid interferin~ in any \•Jay \'lith other ongoing invest"igafions of this matter, including that of the FBI. 2. I discussed this matter with the following people: . ---'-Dr_,.. Sayr~. St~vens, ADD/S&T _ . . - -- -- - - .. - ... ··- . ~ I I -- 3. Summary Conclusions: The investigation focused on four areas: a. Destruction of files related to t•tKULTRA and the continued existence of any such files or papers. -- No existing drug-related t:IKULTRA material \·Jas located. Or. Gottlieb appears to have authorized destruction of NKULTRA drug-related files and may have been directed to do so by Hr. f Helms. ) - h . ' ~ ~' ' I __.. I ) -- -_., .· ' J -- MKULTRA files for·merly held in Records Center may h~ve been destroyed on 30 January 1973 rather than 31 Januaty 1973. The Chief of Records Center protested destruction of those files on 2 February 1973. .. I - I -- The investigation also uncovered material related to HKULTRA in the minutes of the CIA Research Board for 1953-1962. -- No satisfactory explanation has been found concerning s.orne MKULTRA material retired to Archives, ·not recorded as having -been destroyed, and not yet located. b. Destructiori or continued existence of other files possibly related to_drugs. -- Three boxes of material formerly stored in Records Center were destroyed i~ January 1973 \·Jhen the HKULTRA material ~ias destroyed. Orie box of this material deals rlith environmental sampl_"ing for s:.; and CH manufacturing activity. OTS is currently attempting to identify· · the projects dealt ~sith in the material in the other ·bro boxes. -- Some~-_-~-. ..-."!material dealing with the testing of dl·ug~ on human volunteers has been reviewed by .OIG. -- A~proximately one safe drav1er full of Dr. Gottlieb's papers \'tas destroyed by his secretary at his orders in June 1973, shortly before he retired. No detailed description of this material--is available. 2 · fl I I ·. c. The existing I·IKNAO:·li records and the question of whether records related to the Agency's involvement in toxin programs The page is a typed memorandum with handwritten annotations. A circled "7" and the date "03 OCT 1975" are visible in the top right corner, likely official stamps. The text of the memorandum discusses the destruction of drug and toxin-related files, specifically mentioning MKULTRA. There are no photographs, diagrams, schematics, or tables present. The content appears to be fully legible, with no redactions or obscured information. Dr. Gottlieb's papers \'tas destroyed by his secretary at his orders in June 1973, shortly before he retired. No detailed description of this material--is available. 2 · fl I I ·. c. The existing I·IKNAO:·li records and the question of whether records related to the Agency's involvement in toxin programs have been destroyed. -- T\·to HKNAOi-11 files exist. They contain Agency documents covering the period 5 Hay 1952 to 18 Feb·ruary 1970, as \•tell as reports originated by Camp Detrick during the period 1960-1969. -- This'materia1 does not present a detailed history·of HKNAOHI activity. Ho\'Jever~ Dr. Stevens has determined that it \'las standard procedure to keep little or no record of this project's activities. He does not believe any papers \·tere rerr:oved from these files • . -- Dr. Stevens has also dete~rnined that there are no existing Army records on this project or on the Special Operations Division at.Fort Detrick. -- Some t1KNAOt4I papers inay have been included in 01~. Gottlieb's papers destroyed in June but \·te have no evidence of· this. 1973~ d. Th::! system for retiring. records-to Re'co~ds .. ~~nter· and· ~rchiv~s\. records retrieval, and records destruction. ... 3 T-':" {. > ' 4. NKULTRA: This investigation has turned up no existing drus- related NKULTRA files. a. DIG files contain a number of documents \·lhich refer- to the destruction of HKULTHA files in 1973. Copies of these documents are attached at Tab A. In general, these documents indicate tr.at the HKULTRA files were destroyed on· the instructions of. Dr-. Sicney . o! Gottlieb, then Chief TSD, on 31 Janaury 1973. Both Dl~an~h·files and records retrieved from archives \'/ere destroyed .. . ~ p .. - b. A 17 January 1975 NOR by~-~··· · · -· ... ·:-· ·-.. ~.Jstates,. ''Over my stated objections the NKULTRA files \·tere destroyed b~ orcer of the DCI (Hr. Helms) shortly before .~is departure frcm office." In a 15 August 1975 MOR,: · ._.jChief, OTS/BAB, ces- . . - cribes a discussion \oJith Dr. Gottlieb "early in 1973" in whic_~ the latter said he had received a call from Hr. Helms \·:ho had instructed Dr. :Gottlieb to destroy all files pertainir.g to drug research and associated activities. .. 4 I \ c. Records Center files contained a hand•·1ritten r:JR dated 2 February 1973 \•lith attachments by· . _!fonner Chief~ Archives and Records Center (see Tab B). 1 c o;;;ments on destruction notices had instructed Dr. :Gottlieb to destroy all files pertainir.g to drug research and associated activities. .. 4 I \ c. Records Center files contained a hand•·1ritten r:JR dated 2 February 1973 \•lith attachments by· . _!fonner Chief~ Archives and Records Center (see Tab B). 1 c o;;;ments on destruction notices for Job No. 68-746 (f·iKULTRA) and 69-256 (see:ningly . . ':. other drug related files). He records his belief that the files sh~uld not have been destroyed. He also notes that he checked 1-1ith~ .. ~ ." .. ~JOTS/Rl'·lO~ who agreed Hith him .that the project ~iles should .. · J have been retained. is also reported to have determined that Dr. Gottlieb authorized destruction of the files. The destruction notices attached to ··. · _}HOR shm•r that Job Nos. 68-255 ani 68-746 were destroyed on 30 January 1973. (N.B.~31 January 1973 see;i!S to be the commonly·accepted date in the documents under Tab A.) d. Copies of the Chemical Branch/Biological Branch and Chief, OTS Records Retirement Files are attached at Tab C. The shelf lists for- Job Nos •. 74-75 and 62-1153 in the Chief) OTS file list three files associated with HKULTRA: -- · -- ··:·i Subproject H-Project '· l1KULTRA ~·Hay 1956 through October 1975" .=. -- i. ·- · · : .... ·. . ." ··1 Subproject AA - Project NKULTRA - May-1959 through Nay 1960" · · ·:·· ·· -1 Subproject AC ·- Project HKULTRA -. September 1959 through January 1960." I recalled these files from Records Center and revie\·ted tnem. ·They concernj · _, ·]and have nothing to ·do with drugs or toxins. I briefed Dr. Stevens on them on 22 September. He noted that there is a considerable-quantity of material on the .. ·1 5 J-'1 c.-; I I .. . .· .. ~aspects of f·lKULTRA. flone of the files related to those aspects of the project have been destroyed. e. · ·. -~'OTS/Rr·:O, revie~·:ed the material contained prs in ten boxes recalled from Records Center by because of their J possible association \'lith the dr~g prog~a~. - ·_ -- ·· ··.·. 25 1 September memorandum to OIG describing the contents of those boxes is attached at lab D. These boxes contained a considerable amount of material dealing \·lith animal screening tests involving various drugs~ but they contain no material dealing with·tests involving humans or identified as connected \·rith Project l1KULTP-A. f. Paragraph 1-b of~--_·. The page is a typed document with handwritten annotations in the top right corner reading "419". There are also markings that appear to be part of a filing or routing system, including a vertical line that might indicate a redaction or placeholder. The text discusses the destruction of MKULTRA files and material, and mentions environmental sampling for BW and CW manufacturing activity, as well as testing of drugs on human volunteers. There is a page number "2" at the bottom center of the page. No photographs, diagrams, forms, or explicit visual evidence of experimental procedures are present. The image is a typed document with no photographs, diagrams, forms, or tables. There are a few handwritten annotations: a number "111" at the top, and a number "3" towards the bottom, with a horizontal line beneath it. There are also some small dots scattered throughout the page, possibly from a printer or scanner. No official stamps or redactions are visible. The text describes the existing MKNAOMI records and their destruction. memorandum to OIG describing the contents of those boxes is attached at lab D. These boxes contained a considerable amount of material dealing \·lith animal screening tests involving various drugs~ but they contain no material dealing with·tests involving humans or identified as connected \·rith Project l1KULTP-A. f. Paragraph 1-b of~--_·. _ -~---- ~ J25 September memorandum . . mentions an NKULTRA file and other material of possible interest which appear on a shelf list of the historical files of OTS/Kissions and Programs Staff which had been transferred to Archives in. t.he only. deposit ever made to Archives by OTS under File Nos. f!0-22.and H0-146-148. On 29 September.~·- ~:.~,. _·: __ Jand I revie\·ted the·follm'ling Archival material at Records Center: - ·=--·-·· .. .. .I . .. ·. ·. ... - .. -- Reviewed by:: ~- ~---· ... . . ----="--- ·l· File Uo H0-22 - "TSD-Techni ca 1 Gro\'lth -------· 1952-61" . . . - File No. H0-146 - "Research Board- Administrative" Fi 1e No. H0-148 - - - ···· .. _j Contract File" Revi eHed by Nr.: File No. H0-147 - "Research Board.~ found no material concerning HKULTRA drugs, ot· toxins in the files he revie1o~ed. According .to the shelf list associated \'lith 6 .. '1 '11 '1 ... . · these files, 11KUL TRA and: . . . _j materia 1 had been retired to Archives in Box No. 1, H0-22. The shelf lists bear no indication that the material in question \'tas removed fro , m Box 1 Ot' destroyed. ·Therefore, , -.~ ~_]Archives Technician,. conducted a thorough search of Box 1. No NKULTRA or:~~ ~-·:S:\naterial t1as found. At my request,.:._. .. ~-· -·~.~--~-. ]then checked the record on access to Box 1 since i.ts retirement to Archives .. The check revealed that boxes 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 of this single OTS deposit had been returned to~ ... -~. ~ .. ·.~·.:\on 8 January 1975 (See Tab E). ~~-~~ :. .. -~~=jre~alled handcarrying the boxes to~.:=-~~-~~---~-~-~~~~ __ :_:-_·] then recalled passing them to the f1issions and Programs Staff \'lhich had requested them . ··- .·_Jspeculates that the boxes \·iere probably returned . to Archives \'lithi n a standard 30 day 1o an period because the Tab E Jtci form bears no indication that he had to remind···.·---·~-·-=-· ·have· them returned {Archives SOP). ···-· ·. ·_: ...: Jl October 1975 memorandum· concerning .this matter . ·. The page contains a typed document that discusses MKULTRA files and their destruction. There are no photographs, diagrams, official stamps, or filled-in forms. The document does contain some handwritten marginalia at the top right that appears to be a page number or reference ("414"). There are no visible redactions or obscured content. The document is presented as a standard textual report with numbered sections and bullet points. that the boxes \·iere probably returned . to Archives \'lithi n a standard 30 day 1o an period because the Tab E Jtci form bears no indication that he had to remind···.·---·~-·-=-· ·have· them returned {Archives SOP). ···-· ·. ·_: ...: Jl October 1975 memorandum· concerning .this matter . ·. . . ·-=.=·· : is also attached at Tab E. ;·:-_.]appears convinced that ·the .. . . . missing items were connected \'lith.HKULTRA's 1-: -~'-~-~-----~]aspects. •lhether true or not, these items are still missing \'iithout·exP.lanation • .. .. 7 - ) i .. g. l·iY revie\·1 of H0-147~ "Research Board" revealed several documents \'lhich indicate that the CIA Research Board \·lhich existed from 1953 to 1962 received several briefings by Dr. Gottlieb and others on at least some aspects of the drug and toxin programs. Copies of those documents are attached at Tab F. 5. Other Drug Related Files a. The shelf 1 ist attached to Records Center \Job No. 68-256 (referred to in subparagraph 4-c above) describes three boxes of f"iles that \·rere also destroyed in January 1973. These files \'tere probably related to the drug program, but the projects with ·Nhich they deal have not all been identified by OTS. Box 3 of this lot contained files related to Projects .. infor~ed me that . ·-·~·--·~·-}is preparing a description of these. projects. Tn·ey involved environmental sampling for Bl.f and Cl4 manu- facturing activity. -· · ·· _ ~-~-~\told me on 2 October 1975 ~hat OTS 11tribal memory11 and financial_ ~iles are no\•1 being put to \'tork to identify as many as possible of the project files listed in Boxes 1 . ·. .. and 2. . . J of the DD/S&T inspected approximately 35 box:s ~f OTS holdings at Records Center in seaJ:"ch of material \·thich might have some bearing on the drug-related investigation. {See 23 Septeffiber . 1975 l·:DR by . · · ~ ·\ at Tab D.) Their search revealed six· boxes of possible interest \·thich \'lere returned to Headquarters for revie\·t. These boxes \'tere included iri the 10 boxes revie\'ted by 8 . . . land described in his 25 September 1975 me~orandum also J at Tab D. Three files from those boxes dealing vlith Project ~--- · -· -- .. ·. . J tlere reviewed by ·-· OIG, in July 1975. _-___ :~~~--J.im-:~lved ... . testing of drugs on human volunteers by various institutional land described in his 25 September 1975 me~orandum also J at Tab D. Three files from those boxes dealing vlith Project ~--- · -· -- .. ·. . J tlere reviewed by ·-· OIG, in July 1975. _-___ :~~~--J.im-:~lved ... . testing of drugs on human volunteers by various institutional CIA contractors. A copy of ____ _ !31 July 1975 l·~OR covering his reive\·1 is attached at Tab G. c. Approximately one safe dra\·ler: full of the persona1 files - of Dr. Sidney.Go~tlieb was destroyed o~ Dr. Gottlieb's orders i~ _June 1973, shortly before his retirement. The files \·;ere destroyed - . by ________ :._--------- --------·At the time, ·····]had been Dr • . - ----------.----- ---- --- I -- --· --- Gottlieb's secretary for only six \·leeks, during three of \'lnich Dr. Gottlieb \·las in Europe. ~-- --~---~-J,.,ras new to TSD and.knew nothing about TSD activities, crypts, projects, etc. She reme~~ers . I· destroying some technical journals and papers \·ldtten by Dr. Gottlieb as \·tell as files dealing \'lith Sensitive personnel matters and so:-e SECRET SENSITIVE papers about \·ihich .she can recall nothing •. 6. li;KNAOt~I: a. On 23 September 1975. I discussed \-lith Dl·. Stevens his im·esti.- - . - gation of Project MKNAOHI. ·Dr. Stevens is convinced that _no papers· \'/ere removed from the t\-10 extant HKUAOiU files._ 'He believes 'f:he saps in the files are the result of a conscjous policy on the part of those inVolved to keep very 1i ttle paper on the project from its ince:ption ·. in 1952 to its demise in 1970. All of the people formerly con~ected ... _-- with the project to whom Or. Stevens has spoken assert that the practi~e of keeping little or no record of the activity_,.,ras standard NKAAOMI procedure. 9 J ,. -- .I b. In his discussions \'lith the Army, Dr. Stevens learned that the Army had no recol:ds on f.:KtlAOi.U or on the Special Opel~ations Division, Fort Detrick. He surmises these records \'Jere destroyed . when the BH/CH materials \'ler~ destroyed at the President's order. c. Tab H contains a chronological list of Agency documents contained in the b-10 MKNAONI files. These documents cover the period 5 Nay i952 to 18 February 1970. They do not represen"t a· detailed. account of t1KNAOMI act1vity over the years, but I believe the pro cedure described by Dr. Stevens and outlined ~n subparagraph 6-a above could at The document appears to be a typed report with handwritten annotations. There are several blank boxes or checkmarks next to certain text, indicating a possible form or checklist structure. Parts of the text are obscured by redactions, particularly in the bottom right corner, suggesting sensitive information. The page also contains a handwritten number "717" at the top and a page number "5" at the bottom. There are no photographs, diagrams, or official stamps visible. The document is a typed page from a report, containing text and handwritten annotations. At the top right corner, there is a handwritten number "4119". The text discusses "MKULTRA" and refers to files and memorandums. There are several handwritten line-drawing redactions, particularly under the "e." section and in the "Reviewed by" lines, obscuring names or specific details. The structure of the page includes a list of "Archival material at Records Center" with file numbers and titles that are fully visible. Otherwise, there are no photographs, diagrams, stamps, or visual evidence of experimental procedures present on this page. documents contained in the b-10 MKNAONI files. These documents cover the period 5 Nay i952 to 18 February 1970. They do not represen"t a· detailed. account of t1KNAOMI act1vity over the years, but I believe the pro cedure described by Dr. Stevens and outlined ~n subparagraph 6-a above could at least partially account for the .lack of such a_detai1ecf record. In addition to the Agency documents listed in Tab H,. the MKNAOHI files contain a null'.ber of reports and papers \·;hich Ol~iginated at Camp Detrick. These documents are variously dated \·rithin the . . time-period 1960-1969. · . p d. One final consideration deserves mention in connection \·lith the · possible destruction of records r:el,ated··to t1KNAOt1I. The destruction of one safe dra•:ter full of ·nr. Gottlieb•s personal papers in JunE! 1973 - described in subparagraph 5-c above-- could·have included the des- truction of some f.ll<NAOHI records. given the sensitivity of this .. activity. Hm"iever~ \'Je hav~ no evidence this \"'as the case. . ·; _- . 7. Records Retirerr:ent System: The f~llm·ling information \ftas briefed . . to me on 29 September by .. - ..... - .J OTR/Rr·10. ~--=~- ----~-~=~:~.!Acting Chief of Records Center. and · · ··· · ··\ Archives Technician. Fro_m the OTS standpoint,'~·~-- ·. . ·~~J states that these procedures have been in force 10 - ... ---·· . -- .. - .. L I \ I since 1967 \·then he became Ri·!O. He can make no statement concern~ng ho;·t . closely _they were followed before that time. \-. . ... I 11 ) r I This document page is a typed memorandum with several handwritten annotations and marginalia. A handwritten number "417" appears at the top right. There are also several blank spaces indicated by underscores, suggesting fields that were meant to be filled in but are not in this version of the document. Scattered throughout the page are numerous small, dark dots, possibly from the printing process or an older typeface. The page also contains a single digit "7" at the bottom center, likely a page number, and a distinct vertical line and bracket on the far right side, suggesting it's part of a larger document or filing system. There is no visual evidence of experimental procedures, people, locations, equipment, or facilities. The document is a typed page with several handwritten annotations. At the top, there is a handwritten annotation "4/19" in the top margin. Several sections of text are obscured by redactions, appearing as blacked-out boxes of varying sizes. The page contains numbered and lettered sections indicating an organizational structure or a list of items. There are no photographs, diagrams, stamps, or forms visible on this page. The document is a typed page of a report, with some handwritten annotations. At the top right, there is a handwritten number, "419". Several lines of text are obscured by redactions, indicated by solid black bars, particularly within the descriptions of file reviews and personnel. There are also instances of erased or smudged text, suggesting attempts to modify or correct the document before its declassification. The page contains standard report formatting with numbered sections and bullet points, detailing events and discussions related to Project MKNAOMI. This document page is primarily text-based, featuring typed paragraphs and numbered/lettered subsections detailing records related to the MKNAOMI project. A handwritten annotation "419" appears in the upper right corner. There are no photographs, diagrams, forms, tables, or official stamps visible on the page. Some small black dots and smudges are present throughout the document, but there are no obvious redactions or obscured content that would hide specific information. The page appears to be a typewritten document with some handwritten annotations. There is a handwritten number "419" at the top right corner. The main text discusses an individual who became RMO in 1967 and their ability to make statements about how things were followed. There are also some horizontal lines and dots that suggest formatting or possibly data entry on a form. At the bottom of the page, the number "11" is present, likely indicating a page number. There are no photographs, diagrams, stamps, or redacted content visible on this page.