Drugs, Airports, And America: A Dark Triad

Drug trafficking is a global issue, with North America accounting for over 40% of global cocaine consumption. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for intercepting drugs crossing the border, including at Miami International Airport. The CBP uses methods such as X-rays and drug detection dogs to stop the trade of deadly synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

The US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) new counter-fentanyl strategy

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been at the forefront of the fight against synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, since the very beginning. The agency has seized more fentanyl in the last two years than in the previous five years combined. CBP's new counter-fentanyl strategy reorganizes how it deals with the drug, mandating continuous operations against the smuggling of fentanyl, its analogues, precursors, and equipment used to manufacture it. The strategy replaces past CBP surge operations and aims to improve cooperation and information sharing between CBP divisions and other federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement entities from seizure to prosecution.

The CBP has formed a new business model to facilitate this cooperation and information sharing. The agency has also been working to optimize its intelligence and field operations, leveraging its partnerships to target those responsible for producing fentanyl and bringing it across borders. The CBP has a multi-layered strategy for tackling the fentanyl and synthetic opioid issue, and its operations have led to significant seizures of fentanyl and other narcotics.

For example, Operation Blue Lotus, launched in March 2023, surged CBP and HSI resources to Southwest Border Ports of Entry and worked with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to expose networks. This operation, along with the complementary United States Border Patrol (USBP) operation, Operation Four Horsemen, resulted in the seizure of nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl and more than 10,000 pounds of other narcotics. Another successful operation was Operation Artemis, a collaboration between CBP and HSI, which targeted the illicit fentanyl supply chain. This operation led to over 900 seizures, including over 13,000 pounds of fentanyl precursor chemicals and over 270 pounds of finished fentanyl.

The CBP has also been training its canine units to detect fentanyl safely. The dogs are trained to do a passive response, sitting when a drug is indicated, rather than a positive response, which could lead to accidental exposure. The CBP's new counter-fentanyl strategy aims to tackle the changing problem of fentanyl smuggling and protect the health and safety of the nation.

Intercepting drug shipments before they leave foreign shores

The CBP uses traditional methods such as X-rays and drug detection dogs to intercept drug shipments. However, they are also trying to stop the shipments before they leave foreign shores through international collaboration. For example, the CBP works closely with the Korean government to disrupt the movement of air cargo transiting through South Korea, a major hub for drug trafficking. Similarly, the CBP works with the Mexican government to intercept the production materials and products going into Mexico, where the drugs are made, and the finished drugs coming back into the US.

The CBP's Laboratories and Scientific Services provide training on the safe handling of pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl. The training curriculum includes the use of a fentanyl response kit, which contains personal protective equipment and naloxone nasal spray, a powerful antidote to opioid exposures. The CBP has also trained dogs to do a passive response, where they sit when drugs are indicated, to avoid accidental exposure.

By intercepting drug shipments before they leave foreign shores, the CBP can prevent the drugs from reaching the US market and protect the American public from the harmful effects of these substances. This proactive approach is an important part of America's overall strategy to deal with the drug trade and reduce the number of overdose deaths from synthetic drugs.

Training drug detection dogs to identify fentanyl

Drug detection dogs are an important asset in America's fight against the smuggling of fentanyl. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been using drug-sniffing dog teams to detect fentanyl, its precursors, and equipment used to manufacture the drug, such as pill presses.

Obtaining fentanyl certification for drug detection dogs requires focused, long-term work. Initial training involves many hours of imprinting, teaching the dogs to recognize the fentanyl drug odour. Once the dogs consistently recognize fentanyl as a "target odour," trainers can place them in various environments, confident in their ability to locate the drug.

The CBP's Field Operations Canine Academy in Front Royal, Virginia, is currently the only federal agency training canines on fentanyl detection. The CBP is also helping train domestic and international law enforcement partners to train their dogs on the safe detection of fentanyl. This collaborative effort aims to increase the overall detection of fentanyl and disrupt the supply chain of this deadly drug.

Inter-agency cooperation and information sharing

To enhance inter-agency collaboration, the CBP has implemented a new business model that facilitates smoother cooperation and information exchange between its divisions. This model also improves the agency's interaction with other federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement entities throughout the seizure and prosecution processes.

The CBP's Laboratories and Scientific Services division plays a pivotal role in this endeavour by providing pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl for training purposes. This training material is meticulously packaged in triple-sealed, industrial-strength polyethylene bags to ensure the safety of both the handlers and the canines during detection drills.

Additionally, the CBP fosters international collaboration to disrupt drug movements. For instance, the agency works closely with the Korean government to tackle the issue of drug shipments transiting through South Korea. Similarly, the CBP collaborates with the Mexican government to intercept the production materials entering Mexico and the finished drugs being smuggled back into the United States.

The CBP's comprehensive approach, which includes reforming internal structures and engaging in international partnerships, underscores its commitment to stemming the tide of illicit drugs into the United States.

International collaboration to disrupt drug movements

International collaboration is key to disrupting drug movements and combating transnational organized crime. Drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operate worldwide, exploiting technological advancements, financial savvy, and weak border security to facilitate their operations. To counter these networks, countries must work together to identify and disrupt their leadership, production, intelligence-gathering, transportation, and financial infrastructure.

The United States, for instance, has established bilateral and multilateral partnerships to tackle the drug trade. They have taken a leading role in promoting community-based prevention and prescription drug abuse prevention at the United Nations. Additionally, they co-chaired a Counternarcotics Working Group with Russia to address drug control issues, including reducing narcotics originating in Afghanistan and disrupting financial operations of major DTOs in Central Asia.

Another example of international collaboration is the Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JITAF-S), which has successfully disrupted the flow of cocaine to the United States by receiving intelligence from U.S. law enforcement agencies and directing operations at specific targets. However, challenges such as overclassification and bureaucratic red tape have hindered their coordination with partners outside the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

To further strengthen international collaboration, countries can promote the exchange of best practices, research, and intelligence information. For instance, the Organization of American States' Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) facilitate the exchange of best practices and research to reduce drug use. UNODC's Container Control Program, which includes collaboration with the private sector, has also led to increased cocaine seizures in several countries.

By working together, sharing information, and coordinating efforts, international partners can more effectively disrupt drug movements, reduce the availability of illicit drugs, and enhance global security.

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