Narcotics Enforcement

Narcotics

San Diego Drug Tunnel

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ICE investigates narcotics smuggling organizations and the methods utilized to smuggle contraband across U.S. borders. Smuggling methods include the use of high-speed vessels, cargo containers, aircraft, commercial trucking, commercial vessel and human carriers.

The National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD-25 directs U.S. government agencies to attack the vulnerabilities of drug trafficking organizations by disrupting key business sectors and weakening the economic basis of the drug trade. The illegal drug market in the U.S. is based on illegal narcotics grown or manufactured in foreign countries and smuggled across our nation's borders.

ICE agents enforce a wide range of criminal statutes including Title 18 and Title 19 of the U.S. Code. These statutes address general smuggling issues as well as customs violations. ICE also enforces Title 21, which covers the importation, distribution, manufacture and possession of illegal narcotics.

ICE agents have extensive knowledge of the border environment and techniques employed by smuggling organizations to transport contraband into the United States. This expertise has been gained through years of experience in conducting undercover operations, utilizing confidential informants, special enforcement operations and conducting contraband smuggling investigations.

The methods used by smuggling organizations are always changing and through continued training, the use of emerging technologies and dedication, ICE has maintained its expertise in disrupting and dismantling these criminal organizations.

Recent News

10/11/2012 Las Cruces, NM 4 more sentenced in Columbus, NM, firearms trafficking case

10/11/2012 Corpus Christi, TX 2 south Texas men sentenced to prison for cocaine trafficking

10/11/2012 San Juan, PR HSI, Caribbean Border Interagency Group seize 735 kilograms of cocaine, arrest 2

10/9/2012 Los Angeles, CA Boston-bound man arrested at LAX for transporting hazardous materials

10/5/2012 Washington, DC TOP STORY: New TV series takes viewers behind the scenes with HSI special agents at JFK

10/5/2012 San Juan, PR Operation Lighthouse nets 44 arrests for drug trafficking and money laundering

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