HSI’s Focus on Disrupting Drug Trafficking Networks

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has made disrupting drug trafficking networks a top priority. This article will examine HSI’s efforts, strategies, and impact on drug trafficking into the U.S.

HSI’s Mission and Authority

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Their broad mission is to investigate, disrupt and dismantle terrorist, transnational and other criminal organizations that threaten or seek to exploit the customs and immigration laws of the United States. This includes investigating a wide range of cross-border criminal activity like:

• Narcotics smuggling
• Human trafficking and smuggling
• Transnational gang activity
• Financial crimes
• Trade fraud
• Intellectual property and trade secret theft

HSI has unique customs and immigration authorities that allow them to investigate, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks that exploit America’s travel, trade, financial and immigration systems. No other federal law enforcement agency possesses this combined set of authorities.

Strategies to Disrupt Drug Trafficking

HSI employs a variety of strategies and initiatives to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into the United States:

Targeting Transnational Criminal Organizations

HSI aims to dismantle entire drug trafficking networks. They target not just low-level couriers or smugglers, but focus their investigations further up the supply chain on the leaders, financiers and facilitators of these organizations. HSI works to identify and exploit vulnerabilities at key choke points and disrupt the logistics of how these groups smuggle and distribute drugs.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement Partners

HSI collaborates closely with other law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and internationally. This includes sharing intelligence and coordinating joint investigations to identify and prosecute high-level targets. Key partners include:

• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Border Patrol (USBP)
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
• State and local law enforcement
• Foreign counterparts through HSI’s 63 offices in 47 countries

Interdicting Illicit Drug Shipments

HSI leverages its broad legal authorities and partnerships to intercept and seize drug shipments. This includes:

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• Inspecting cargo, mail parcels, conveyances, and travelers at U.S. ports of entry
• Collaborating with USCG to interdict smugglers at sea
• Working with foreign counterparts to identify and disrupt shipments before they reach the U.S.

Tracing Weapons and Money

HSI uses its customs and financial investigative powers to target the money laundering apparatus and weapons procurement networks of drug trafficking groups. This includes:

• Tracing the movement of money through complex financial networks
• Identifying how drug proceeds are laundered and invested
• Disrupting the smuggling of U.S. firearms and ammunition to Mexico to arm drug traffickers

Impact on Drug Trafficking Landscape

HSI’s investigative focus and unique authorities have made them a major force in disrupting drug smuggling into the U.S. Some key statistical results of their efforts include:

• Seizure of over 1.4 million pounds of narcotics in 2021
• Over 2,600 drug smuggling arrests in 2021
• Seizure of over $522 million in illicit currency in 2021
• 66,000+ illicit firearms seized from 2005-2018

HSI has delivered major blows to drug trafficking networks operating across the U.S., including:

Sinaloa Cartel

Long considered one of Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking groups, HSI investigations have targeted senior Sinaloa leadership, drug transportation cells, and financial networks. A landmark achievement was the extradition and conviction of former Sinaloa kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

MS-13

HSI has systematically targeted the criminal activities of the transnational gang MS-13. A priority is disrupting their drug distribution operations across the U.S. and Central America.

Hezbollah

HSI has led efforts to prosecute Hezbollah-linked networks involved in cocaine trafficking and money laundering activities that fund the group’s terrorist activities.

Continuing the Fight

While HSI has made significant progress, drug trafficking remains a major threat. Transnational criminal organizations are adaptive and quick to exploit new vulnerabilities. HSI will need to continue evolving its investigative strategies and capabilities to stay ahead of criminal networks.

Some emerging focus areas for HSI include:

• Expanding collaboration with public health experts to combat trafficking of synthetic opioids like fentanyl
• Interdicting drug production and transshipment through Central America and the Caribbean
• Developing advanced data analytics to uncover trafficking networks
• Enhancing capacity building and joint investigations with foreign partners

The opioid crisis has brought a new urgency for U.S. law enforcement to stem the supply of deadly synthetic drugs like fentanyl. As the largest investigative agency within DHS, HSI will play a crucial role in leading that fight. Their unique abilities and authorities will continue to be invaluable in disrupting drug trafficking networks and improving homeland security.