Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said the agency’s Chicago Field Office (CFO) set a record number of seizures during fiscal year 2018.
CBP authorities said in fiscal year 2018, the CFO intercepted more than 24,000 packages of narcotics while weighing more than 30,000 pounds in mail and express consignment. The number of packages seized by CFO officers is the highest of any location in the nation.
The CFO seizure uptick is attributable to a series of factors, including increased volume from high risk areas, heightened enforcement posture by officers and the use of multiple layers of enforcement tools.
“CBP uses advanced electronic data, x-ray screening, canine resources, and rapid onsite identification of unknown substances,” Robert White, director of Field Operations – Chicago, said, noting officer experience is also key. “Our officers are highly skilled at identifying packages that represent a higher level of risk through visual examination, based on their knowledge and awareness of ever-changing trends employed by the individuals and organizations seeking to illegally import contraband.”
White maintains contraband seizures will continue to increase in not only the express consignment operations, but also in other modes of transportation due to the increase of e-Commerce shipments.
“The world of trade is changing, shipments of de-minimus, those less than $800, are increasing dramatically,” he said. “CBP will continue to execute seizures of narcotics from these shipments. I am proud of the work being done by all of our employees. Their dedication to CBP’s mission, to safeguard America’s borders by protecting the public from dangerous people and materials, is the reason the Chicago Field Office has been and continues to be successful.”