NCJ Number
232455
Date Published
November 2010
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This report provides an update on the progress of the National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy implementation since its release in 2009.
Abstract
Updated information on the progress of the National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy, as required by Congress is presented in the following areas: intelligence and information sharing, at and between the ports of entry, air and marine, investigations and prosecutions, money, weapons, technology, and cooperation with Mexico. Highlights of progress made in these areas include: (1) the U.S. Government is working in accordance with applicable law and police to improve and integrate the flow of timely and relevant intelligence and analysis, as well as process of information sharing and coordination to protect the Southwest border from the illicit flow of drugs and associated threats; (2) the Department of Homeland Security is making significant enhancements to the Nation's enforcement efforts at land ports of entry, utilizing state-of-the art detection technology, resources, and training, as well as improving the means of targeting known border threats; (3) law enforcement and intelligence agencies are enhancing investigation and prosecution efforts by increasing United States liaison activities with Mexico, enhancing intelligence support to investigations, increasing prosecutorial and judicial resource, strengthening judicial cooperation with Mexico, and attacking corruption on both sides of the border; and (4) in developing an effective, coordinated, and comprehensive response to the threat of illegal weapons smuggling/trafficking from the United States into Mexico, law enforcement is improving weapons-related intelligence and information sharing, increasing outbound interdiction, enhancing cooperation with international partners, strengthening domestic coordination on weapons smuggling investigations, and enhancing legislative and judicial tools to deprive drug traffickers of the weapons used. In 2009, the strategy developed under Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Attorney General, and Office of Drug Control Policy was released; a key component of the comprehensive national response to the threat along the border. Appendixes and list of acronyms