Definition and analysis of the drug smuggling issue
U.S. policy on port security has been largely successful in the past two decades, thanks to the implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 and the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act (SAFE PORT) of 2006. These laws have helped to improve the security of America’s ports, as well as the security of the supply chain. The United States has taken many steps to improve the security of its ports. The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 required the establishment of security zones and the creation of security plans for all ports and vessels. The Security and Accountability For Every Port Act (SAFE PORT) of 2006 increased funding for port security. They required the implementation of security measures such as background checks for port workers and scanning all containers entering the United States. In addition, the Secure Freight Initiative was established in 2009 to improve the security of maritime shipping. However, there are still some areas of vulnerability, particularly when it comes to drug smuggling.
While drug smuggling is not a new problem, it has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. In particular, the use of container ships to smuggle drugs into the United States has become more common (Rengert, 2018). This is because container ships often carry large quantities of goods, making it difficult to detect the presence of illegal drugs. In addition, false manifests and other documents can make tracking these ships and their cargo difficult. More recently, the issue of drug smuggling has come to the forefront as a major concern for port security (Eski, 2016). In 2018, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 2,000 pounds of cocaine at the Port of New York and New Jersey. In 2019, the CBP seized over 3,200 pounds of cocaine at the Port of Los Angeles. Drug smuggling is a serious problem that has the potential to exploit gaps in port security.
Since its inception, the drug smuggling issue has been a top priority for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS has worked to improve port security to reduce the number of drugs smuggled into the country. The DHS has implemented several initiatives to improve port security, including the Secure Freight Initiative. The Secure Freight Initiative is a multi-layered approach to port security that includes enhanced security measures, improved information sharing, and enhanced law enforcement presence at ports. The DHS has also worked with the private sector to improve port security. The private sector has been a key partner in improving port security.
The primary goal of port security is to prevent terrorist attacks and the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). However, it is also important to prevent the smuggling of drugs and other contraband. Drug smuggling poses a serious threat to public safety and security. It can lead to the distribution of illegal drugs, criminal organizations’ funding, and government officials’ corruption. In addition, drug smuggling can adversely affect the economy by diverting resources away from legitimate businesses and causing financial harm to families and communities.
Summary of the findings
The smuggling of illicit drugs has been a persistent problem despite efforts by law enforcement to interdict trafficking operations. The rewards of successful smuggling are high, while the risks are relatively low, making the activity an attractive proposition for organized crime groups (Haidar & Herrera, 2018). Various factors contribute to the problem, including the demand for illicit drugs, the relative ease of smuggling drugs across borders, and the lack of effective countermeasures. The most commonly smuggled drugs are cocaine and heroin, followed by methamphetamine. Smuggling operations typically involve multiple steps, including procuring drugs from source countries, transporting drugs to transit countries, and transporting drugs to destination countries. The most common routes for drug smuggling are from South America to North America, Southeast Asia to North America, and Europe to Africa.
There are several reasons why drug smuggling is of particular concern. First, drugs are smuggled into the United States through the nation’s ports of entry (POEs). According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), most of the illegal drugs smuggled into the United States come through our nation’s POEs. This is not surprising, given that there are more than 300 million legal crossings in the United States each year. Second, smuggling drugs into the United States often involves other criminal activities, such as money laundering, violence, and corruption. Drug smuggling is a multimillion-dollar business, and the profits generated from this illicit activity are often used to finance other criminal enterprises.
Third, drugs smuggled into the United States often end up in the hands of minors. Drug dealers often target young people, who are more likely to become addicted to drugs. In addition, smuggled drugs into the United States are often more potent than those legally available drugs, and they may contain dangerous impurities (Haidar & Herrera, 2018). Law enforcement efforts to combat drug smuggling have had limited success. Interdiction efforts typically focus on the detection and seizure of drugs in transit. However, these efforts are often hampered by sophisticated concealment methods and the corruption of officials. Moreover, the high demand for illicit drugs and the large financial rewards associated with smuggling make it difficult to deter and disrupt trafficking operations.
Recommendations and courses of action
Drug smuggling is a serious problem that has long plagued the United States, and it is one that the DHS must address as part of its overall port security strategy. The DHS must take a comprehensive approach to address the problem of drug smuggling. This approach should include enhanced security measures at our nation’s POEs and increased intelligence-gathering and information-sharing. In addition, the DHS must work closely with our counterparts in Mexico and Canada to address this transnational problem.
The first step in addressing drug smuggling is to increase security at our nation’s POEs by increasing funding for port security. The DHS should work with the Department of State to develop a comprehensive security plan for our nation’s embassies and consulates. This plan should include physical security enhancements, such as additional fencing, security cameras, and security staffing levels. In addition, the DHS should increase the use of non-intrusive inspection (NII) technologies at our nation’s POEs. NII technologies, such as X-ray machines and Metal Detectors, allow Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to examine goods without opening them. This not only speeds up the inspection process but also helps to reduce the chances of contraband being smuggled into the United States.
The second step in addressing drug smuggling is to increase intelligence-gathering and information-sharing. The DHS should work closely with the intelligence community to develop a comprehensive intelligence picture of the drug-smuggling threat. This intelligence picture should include information on the methods smugglers use to transport drugs into the United States and the routes they take. In addition, the DHS should work with our counterparts in Mexico and Canada to share information on drug-smuggling trends and techniques. By sharing this information, we can better target our enforcement efforts and disrupt smuggling operations before they reach the United States. The Administration should work with foreign governments to improve intelligence sharing and target criminal organizations involved in drug smuggling (Labate et al.,2016). The DHS should provide support to state and local law enforcement agencies in the form of training and resources so that they can more effectively target drug smuggling operations in their jurisdictions.
The third step in addressing drug smuggling is to increase outreach and public awareness. The DHS should work with state and local law enforcement agencies and community groups to raise awareness of the dangers of drug smuggling. In addition, the DHS should develop and implement a public awareness campaign that targets young people. This campaign should use social media and other modern communications tools to reach its target audience.
Conclusion
Drug smuggling is a serious problem that threatens the safety and security of the United States. The problem of maritime drug smuggling is complex and will require a comprehensive and coordinated effort to address it (Durán-Martínez, 2017). DHS must continue to work with the private sector and foreign governments to improve information sharing and coordination, invest in technology and infrastructure improvements at ports of entry, and increase intelligence and investigative resources devoted to maritime drug smuggling. By taking these actions, it is hoped that the issue of drug smuggling can be effectively addressed and that port security can be improved overall.
References
Rengert, G. F. (2018). The geography of illegal drugs. Routledge.
Durán-Martínez, A. (2017). Drug trafficking and drug policies in the Americas: change, continuity, and challenges. Latin American Politics and Society, 59(2), 145-153.
Haidar, J., & Herrera, E. C. (2018). Narcoculture? Narco-trafficking as a semiosphere of anticulture. Semiotica, 2018(222), 133-162.
Labate, B. C., Cavnar, C., & Rodrigues, T. (Eds.). (2016). Drug Policies and the Politics of Drugs in the Americas. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
Drug smuggling and the endless battle to stop it. (n.d.). USAToday.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/border-wall/story/drug-trafficking-smuggling-cartels/559814001/
Eski, Y. (2016). Policing, port security and crime control: An ethnography of the port security scope. Routledge.
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