Thursday, October 20, 2011
CBP in Houston Prohibit Eggs from Endangered Sea Turtle
Houston - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists commonly discover exotic food items concealed in passengers’ luggage, after all, international cuisine is for a cultured palate; however, when bringing items that are found on the endangered species list, they will not wind up on the dinner table.An international traveler arriving from El Salvador was attempting to import 12 sea turtle eggs. All species of sea turtles are endangered and their importation is prohibited by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.“Our officers are vigilant and committed to enforcing all U.S. laws including those protecting our endangered species,” said Houston CBP Director of Field Operations, Jeffrey O. Baldwin.The endangered sea turtle eggs were seized and turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The eggs will be sent to South Padre Island, Texas where they will undergo DNA analysis.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently investigating the matter.U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Air Force Announces Basing Candidates for an Active Duty Air Force MQ-1/9 Remote Split Operations Squadron
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 891-11October 20, 2011 Air Force officials announced today Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., as the candidate bases for one active duty Air Force MQ-1/9 remote split operations squadron. The list of candidate bases was approved by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. These bases are now candidates to accept a single active duty MQ-1/9 RSO squadron consisting of 280 personnel and associated equipment. No remotely piloted aircraft will be assigned to the base under this action, only a ground control station. The Department of Defense identified MQ-1/9 as one of the key Air Force capabilities in the current fight and for national defense. The primary mission of an MQ-1/9 RSO squadron is to execute MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper aircraft operations that conduct close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Air Combat Command will begin conducting detailed, on-the-ground evaluations of the candidate bases covering a range of operational and facility requirements. The results of the surveys will be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, who will then select a preferred alternative. Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the preferred alternative in December 2011.
CBP Launches Centers to Facilitate Processing of Imports
Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today the establishment of two industry-specific centers: the Center of Excellence and Expertise – Electronics in Los Angeles and the Center of Excellence and Expertise – Pharmaceuticals in New York.The centers, which previously functioned as pilot programs, will continue efforts to increase uniformity of practices across ports of entry, facilitate the timely resolution of trade compliance issues nationwide, and further strengthen critical agency knowledge on key industry practices.“The Centers of Excellence and Expertise will fundamentally transform the way CBP approaches trade operations and works with the international trade community,” said CBP Commissioner Alan D. Bersin. “They will also help facilitate legitimate trade while enabling us to concentrate our enforcement efforts on potential threats to our nation’s security and economic competitiveness.”Initially, the centers will serve as a single point of processing for businesses enrolled in CBP’s trusted shipper programs, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA).The centers will also serve as a resource to the broader trade community and to CBP’s U.S. government partners; center personnel will answer questions, provide information and develop trade facilitation strategies to address uniformity and compliance concerns.Required import documents for trusted partners within the electronics and pharmaceutical industries are now being routed to their respective industry center. While revenue collection will continue to be carried out at the ports of entry, the centers will begin to perform all validation activities, protests, post entry amendment/post summary correction reviews, and prior disclosure validations for the trusted partners within their industry.By redirecting work involving trusted shippers within the electronics and pharmaceutical industries to centralized, industry-specific locations, ports of entry will be able to more effectively focus resources on high-risk shipments and importers that may pose a danger to U.S. border security, harm the health and safety of consumers, or violate U.S. trade laws and intellectual property rights critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness. In turn, the approach to trade processing facilitated by the new centers will reduce transaction costs for the trade community, facilitate legitimate trade through risk segmentation, increase agency expertise and deliver greater transparency and uniformity of action within a given industry.( More information on the pilots and CBP’s C-TPAT and ISA trusted shipper programs ) ( CBP Initiates the Center of Excellence and Expertise and Account Executive Pilots ) ( Pharmaceutical Center of Excellence and Expertise ) ( C-TPAT: Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ) ( Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA) )U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
CBP Components Disrupt Smuggling Efforts In Southern Arizona
Tucson, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector, a component of the Joint Field Command-Arizona, arrested four smugglers and seized three vehicles near Douglas yesterday in connection with an effort to smuggle 13 illegal immigrants. All four smugglers were Mexican nationals. Assisted by a Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine helicopter, agents located three vehicles traveling north on Highway 191. When agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, two vehicles fled the area. Thirteen people ran from the remaining vehicle into an open field. Agents apprehended all 13 individuals with the help of the OAM helicopter pilot. In addition, agents tracked down one of the fleeing vehicles to a location on Davis Road. Three occupants were arrested in conjunction with the smuggling incident. The case is being reviewed for possible federal charges. The Border Patrol notified and requested additional assistance from local and federal authorities in locating the third vehicle. CBP officers from the Douglas Port immediately reported that the outstanding vehicle had been detained as it attempted to drive south into Mexico. The driver and vehicle were turned over to the Douglas Border Patrol Station for processing. The driver was processed and is also facing federal charges. Collaboration between CBP partners continues to disrupt transnational criminal operations. Enhanced communication coupled with the dedication and vigilance of CBP employees denies smugglers easy access to traditional smuggling routes and tactics. CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.CBP announced the JFC-AZ in February 2011 as an organizational realignment that brings together the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors and their Air Branches, as well as the Tucson Field Office, under a unified command structure. JFC-AZ integrates CBP’s border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in Arizona. Follow us on Twitter @CBPArizona or visit the CBP Arizona website for more information. ( CBP Arizona ) U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws
Peace Bridge 6 Lanes Open, No Delays
| Buffalo/Niagara Falls Peace Bridge  | 24 hrs/day 10/20/2011 | 7 | At 8am EST no delay 7 lane(s) open | N/A | 11 | no delay 6 lane(s) open | At 8am EST no delay 1 lane(s) open |
Border Patrol Agents In Southern Arizona Sentenced
San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, who was apprehended by Ajo Station Border Patrol agents in early March, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on Oct. 11.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Abel Carrillo-Uranga after he was apprehended on March 2, 2011, for attempting to illegally re-enter the United States. During processing at the Ajo Station, the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) revealed Carrillo-Uranga was convicted in Colorado in 1992 for second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison before being removed from the United States.
Record checks also indicated Carrillo-Uranga was previously deported from the United States after serving his prison sentence. Following initial processing, the Tucson Sector’s Prosecution Unit submitted the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for re-entry of a felon. After his incarceration in federal prison for 60 months, Carrillo-Uranga will be formally removed from the country.
All illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using IAFIS. This vital tool accesses criminal records throughout the United States, thereby assisting agents in quickly identifying violent criminals and wanted persons.
In January 2011, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol, a component of the Joint Field Command-Arizona, implemented the Consequence Delivery System (CDS) as an integral component of its enforcement strategy. CDS centers on delivering a targeted consequence to illegal immigrants and simultaneously seeks to disrupt the smuggling cycle and reduce recidivism rates by ensuring consequences are upheld to the full extent of the law. Carrillo-Uranga is now banned for life from all legalization processes without a waiver from the U.S. Attorney General.
CBP announced the JFC-AZ in February 2011 as an organizational realignment that brings together the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine, and Field Operations under a unified command structure. The JFC-AZ integrates CBP’s border security, commercial enforcement, and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in Arizona.
Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Photo Courtesy DHS
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