Contraband Smuggling Branch

Office of Investigations: Smuggling/Public Safety Division

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is tasked with conducting investigations of those persons and criminal organizations involved in the smuggling of all forms of contraband into the United States. One of the missions of ICE is to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations involved in contraband smuggling, which includes tracking and seizing the illegal proceeds derived from their illicit activities.

Each year, contraband valued at hundreds of millions of dollars is intercepted at our nations borders. Examples include counterfeit goods, illegal electronics, incorrectly manifested cargo, illegal cigarettes, ancient artifacts, wildlife, child pornography and narcotics. Perhaps the most publicized example of contraband enforcement by ICE is the investigation and interdiction of narcotics.

The National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD–25 directs U.S. government agencies to attack the vulnerabilities of drug trafficking organizations and disrupt key business sectors and weaken 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 is designated as the primary U.S. law enforcement agency to investigate 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.

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 is ever changing and through continued training, the use of emerging technologies and dedication, ICE has maintained its expertise in disrupting and dismantling these criminal organizations.