DHS unveils new anti-smuggling initiative

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new anti-smuggling initiative the agency said focuses on transnational criminal organizations affiliated with the smuggling of migrants.

Authorities indicated Operation Sentinel is a collaborative effort with Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of State, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration of the Department of Justice.

“Transnational criminal organizations put profit over human life, with devastating consequences,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. “With the help of our federal and foreign partners, we aim to cut off access to that profit by denying these criminals the ability to engage in travel, trade, and finance in the United States. We intend to disrupt every facet of the logistical network that these organizations use to succeed.”

The scope of work, per officials, involves the collaborating agencies targeting all personnel and identifiable resources transnational criminal organizations require to operate via utilization of the full breadth of domestic and foreign authorities, data, analytic capability, and capacity.

“Smuggling operations continue to lie and exploit vulnerable populations to promote their criminal enterprise – the health and safety of migrants does not influence their lucrative ambition,” CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller said. “This operation is designed to disrupt every facet of the logistical network of these criminal organizations. Our goal is to enhance the security of the U.S. border and help save the lives of those who are preyed upon by these unscrupulous criminals.”