An Overview of
Federal Drug Control Programs
on the Southwest Border
United States Customs Service
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The U.S. Customs Service (USCS) administers a variety of border enforcement programs that prevent contraband from entering or exiting the commerce of the United States. Customs investigates narcotics smuggling organizations, arms trafficking violations, fraud and financial crimes including money laundering and the related movement of criminal funds, services, or merchandise across U.S. borders.
Operation HARDLINE
Specific USCS initiatives along the Southwest border include Operation HARDLINE, an investigative and interdiction initiative to increase illegal drug seizures and deter drug smuggling through Southwest border ports of entry, by disrupting and dismantling drug transportation organizations. As part of HARDLINE:
- Nearly 165 experienced special agents and intelligence analysts have been reassigned to the Southwest border to work narcotics cases.
- The FY 1997 budget provides an additional 657 positions and $65 million for efforts along the Southwest border and Southern Tier of the United States.
- Port infrastructure has been fortified.
- Customs inspectors have been equipped with better tools to perform more intensive narcotics exams including large-scale fixed-site x-ray systems capable of thoroughly examining commercial conveyances. Customs has fixed site x-ray facilities in Otay Mesa and Calexico, California; and has procured truck x-ray systems for El Paso, Texas (two systems) and Pharr, Texas which scheduled to be operational by March of 1998. In addition to fixed x-ray technology, Customs is also testing mobile x-ray and gamma-ray examination technology.
- Customs has also paid overtime for pre-primary operations; funded integrity training; and bought 126 additional vehicles and purchased radios and other equipment.
Carrier Initiative Program
Established in 1984, the Carrier Initiative Program (CIP) is a joint effort among air and sea carriers and Customs to prevent and deter smugglers from using commercial transportation companies legitimate cargos and conveyances to smuggle narcotics into the United States. Since CIP was started, 105 air and 2,870 sea commercial carriers have signed agreements pledging that they will enhance their security operations both on board their conveyances and at their facilities. In return, Customs provides anti-drug training to the employees of carriers and technical support on security issues.
Land Border Carrier Initiative Program
The Land Border Carrier Initiative Program (LBCIP) was developed in the Spring of 1995 to address the threat of drug smuggling along the Southwest border and to enlist the support of the land border commercial carriers in this endeavor. The same objective associated with the air and sea programs also remains the primary focus of this program. Transportation companies are encouraged to improve their security processes at their facilities and search their conveyances for narcotics when coming into the United States.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
HARDLINE produced a dramatic increase in drug seizure activity during FY1996. Over 57 percent more drug tonnage was seized in FY 1996 compared to FY 1994 baseline amounts.
Overall, in FY 1996, Customs seized a record total of more than 1 million pounds of narcotics. Along the Southwest border, Customs seized 33,308 pounds of cocaine; 545,922 pounds of marijuana; and 459 pounds of heroin. Narcotics seizures from commercial cargo increased over 100 percent. Operation HARDLINE has also resulted in a 56 percent decline in port running incidents along the Southwest border.
Port running has decreased 56 percent compared to the FY 1994 baseline.
The Domestic Air Interdiction Coordination Center (DAICC) located at March Air Force Base, California, oversees the coordination of air interdiction activities along the Southwest border. DAICC recently completed equipment upgrades which have enhanced its capabilities to detect and sort suspect aircraft. These upgrades allow the DAICC to receive more radar data and to update that data more quickly than before. In addition, the upgrades expand interface with the Department of Defense (DoD) in its Detection and Monitoring role while significantly increasing communications between DoD and Customs.
