STOP Act regulations fighting opioid smuggling to be published

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas signed an Interim Final Rule (IFR) to publicize regulations regarding the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act.

The regulations will allow U.S. Customs and Border Protect (CPB) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to strengthen the collection and sharing of advance electronic data (AED) to combat a variety of tactics smugglers use to conceal fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

“The STOP Act is an important step in the battle against the deadly scourge of synthetic drugs that has caused so much loss and pain in our country,” Mayorkas said. “The Department of Homeland Security is proud to implement the STOP Act through this regulation. Since taking office last month, working closely with U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Gary Peters, I have prioritized the promulgation of today’s regulation.”

The IFR, “Mandatory Advance Electronic Information for International Mail Shipments,” amends CBP’s regulations about mail importation to establish a mandatory AED program for certain inbound shipments of mail.

Officials said the new regulations in the IFR would improve international mail shipment security by allowing CPB to conduct better targeting and risk assessments which will disrupt the flow of illicit supply chains of fentanyl and other dangerous goods entering the U.S. The advanced screening will also be used to identify counterfeit goods, illicit biological matter, and to counter terrorism, officials said.

“CBP is the frontline in the battle against dangerous and illicit drugs shipped to our country through the international mail system,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller. “Fentanyl and its many fentanyl-based analogues continue to plague the American people, and these regulations will be critical in our efforts to identify and disrupt the transnational criminal organizations who ship these deadly drugs through our international mail system.”