[inaudible conversations] onto order i will apologize for being late we have to coowners also was in the Armed Services committee for the troops side appreciate your patience. We meet today to look at drug cartels. Recognize myself for an Opening Statement. First and newest member of the subcommittee from florida. Wheel afford to working with u. S. The began the 115th congress over the course of this congress we can engage in thoughtful conversation. One of the goals is to drill down on the threat of be a secure border poses but the next hearing listening to the task force authorized last congress to examine the Counter Network approach protecting borders is a multifaceted effort primarily to the Border Patrol redo have Field Operations to secure more than 300 ports of entry and that to detect and intra decked unlawful cargo. Also supporting National Security threats and responsibilities. These are not simple or easy tasks. The border is a dynamic place with desert clefs kenyans and a thousand miles of her for. 4. 5 million square miles of ocean providing cartels with or enormous expanse of activity. chris has appropriated billions of dollars but today we have an array of technology and personnel deployed to keep the nations eighth. Despite our best efforts we have made little progress to secure the border. The most recent reports suggest between the ports of entry a little more than 50 percent effective in narcotics continue to pour into the community but on the other side of the border cartels operate a wide ranging Network Nothing moves in or out and the influence power is ubiquitous encryption is endemic they often find themselves illequipped to handle the of cartel activity. Smuggling people is a 1 billion business. To listen and narcotics and other people into the United States. Obscene profit impact of allow them to be conducting extensive counter surveillance activities they place scouts on hilltops to use uh high ground. Deep tunnels with ventilation systems and rail cars have been used and a proliferation and other orthodox muffins such as the use of propane and Double Barrel cannons to issue hundreds of pounds of drugs over the fences for cultural light aircraft in my district authorities broke up a ring where the with a specialized in convoys and used scouts and cryptic communications and was not an amateur operation but a sophisticated criminal enterprises this is the nature of the adversary we are facing san diego was once the of busiest sector but through the 2000s included additional barriers and manpower but they responded by using vessels to promote further off of coasta of california making it more difficult to been attract. Barely visible above the of waterline field to a destination is cities and towns across the nation progress we increase our focus we have to be clear about the dangerous and sophisticated threat that we face. Registered the cartels will not sit idly by as we address to address our strategy theyve adapted to innovate redo not leverage the awful power. Thanks to the witnesses to be here this morning and look forward to your testimony best unanimous consent the gentleman from york be allowed to participate so ordered and now you make a statement. Thanks for calling this important hearing this is one area where many of us can agree we can agree to achieve the ultimate goal to do as much as we can to impact, negative work that the cartels do in south america and mexico throughout the United States and at the same time do we can take drugs off the streets. First of all like to introduce the newest members order of Maritime Security representing the 46 Congressional District serving in the california state senate. Representing the tenth Congressional District in previously served as the chief of the Orlando Police department. The congresswoman and experienced attorney representing the 44 Congressional District including the port of los angeles and my colleague who is a Senior Member joining us for the first time. I will forward to working with all of you because bringing this to the subcommittee the subject of our hearing today is of a particular interest to meet given that i represent a border district in the Rio Grande Valley of texas. For years now the state across from my Congressional District has been coping with serious Security Issues with Cartel Violence and on thursday my mexican colleagues at the federal level will be launching a social media effort to help promote the idea to bring peace as the Mexican Cartels the it they have seen record levels the threat is not confined within the United States and other contraband. So many depend in part to across the border. I want to continue to be supportive of the United States efforts to that end and i am also appreciative of secretary kellys recent comments with respect to what he would like to do with the issue of demand and how the various components are coordinating with their counterparts and i would ask call witnesses to speak to the subcommittee and has changed over donald overtime and we as members of congress can do to support efforts. Quebec they are counting on us to get this right. Thanks for holding this hearing either appreciate our witnesses joining us today ellen forward to any Effective Congress and all members of the subcommittee. Uh previously serving as a specific area commander in the middle east for the ministry of interior. The commander of the joint task force in chief of the tucson sector to implement strategic guidance and customs and Border Protection through command and control functions within the state of arizona in addition oversight of uh tucson sector of approximately 420 personnel. The assistant director of investigative programs within the u. S. Immigrations Customs Enforcement for program problematic with be an operational initiatives. To see oversight of investigative activities in more than 500 personnel assigned to the area. With the bureau of International Narcotics his spots will for the state Department Programs as well as support for Law Enforcement and rule of law. The chair recognizes you five minutes to testify. Good morning members of the subcommittee thanks for the ability to testify with the continued threat it poses to the homeland. I am pleased to testify among the most important partners of the department of state id like to think the ambassador for their leadership been this effort turning to that exhibit north america Central America or south america speaking to that when meese speak to the maritime transit zone we continue to face a significant threat from the criminal the works leading to this other approaches of the United States. Coastguard projects the maritime border off the coast of south and Central America. As secretary kelly stated the defense of the southwest border star is 1500 miles south the Transnational Criminal Organizations army economies and prevent governments in the are agnostic to Illicit Activity by widespread violence has merry reached epidemic levels those the attempt to illegally enter the United States. The only one with broad Law Enforcement authority it is uniquely positioned to attack the kamal that works in the offshore transit zone interdiction package of capable of highspeed pursuit votes and we ecs multi ton loads of c before broken into small quantities that is extremely difficult to detect that cause the difficult step as they make their journey through a north america up. Over 40 to marry tom maritime agreements to enable interdiction of prosecution cleared the only maritime presence with the maritime members. The coastguard personnel is effective interdicted more cocaine at sea in 2016 and across the country by all federal state and locals combined because weve got it in bulk quantities offshore in the thousands of kilos new push the border south to protect the nation to significantly impact the criminal organizations. This is on the rise to a resource constraints while the coastguard to attack or turn get 30 percent of the known cases in three have high intelligence as a lack of resources we were prevented from getting 500 a. D. Even as. With other demands help to preclude their operation and the testimony said to be assisted if a specific sustainment and then that time to double down the presidency and the region that approaches the u. S. We continue to look for ways to increase our presence but we dont have the assets to address all the intelligence that be have. So we need to capitalize with the offshore patter that is necessary we do appreciate to continue support from this congress these new assets will make it more effective. And the like to say he believes it will stay this way as long as it is in effect using a riskbased approach with an outstanding and dedicated group of professional women as evidenced by the metric tons we have received in 2016 as of costar record for thanks for all you do of forward to addressing your questions and concerns. Commander recognize for five minutes. Good morning chairman and Ranking Member with distinguished members of the subcommittee thinking you for the opportunity of customs and Border Protection to discuss of tactics and techniques used by Transnational Criminal Organizations and how we are working to address this threat. I began my career as a Border Patrol agent and in my 32 yours of service i have seen the border change from a bar and wire fence to today with over 600 miles of fencing with agents on duty. The border has changed and has become more complex. Over the course of my career i receive the department of homelands security with the committed devolution of criminals that seek to use supply see our borders also those offices work with congress to improve the border environment Personnel Resources and technology and tactical a infrastructure have shaped the border that we see today. We have realized greater Situational Awareness in significant reductions inactivity of bohai 1. 6 million rest to just over 400,000 arrests last fiscal year throughout my career i have seen those demonstrate an ending resolve to exploit the border for their own gain. Nimble and innovative tactics to smuggle people and contraband. To operate throughout the environment through those domains through land area and seek to meet and combat these elective these but drug smuggling is of parts of the enterprises and they smuggle drugs by foot or tunneling or through the use of projectile type systems. And Logistical Support to further their operations. While illegal job smuggling occurs to combat the efforts steve vp officer cesar for disrupted more than 3. 3 Million Pounds of robotics. Introduction edition with the attempt to smuggle drugs as an example and the tucson sector they were recorded in 2006 and last year only 18 such events were recorded and while drivethrough still occurs the efforts have diminished the probability of success to shape the ellison operations. And i have also seen cpg collaboration with lawenforcement partners make progress this is the result of investments of Border Security and blood sweat and tears of the daily battle to secure borders. To further refine and enhance with those in trick interdiction capabilities. And then to safeguard the borders of this great country to the distinguished members of the subcommittee thinking for the opportunity to testify today i look forward to your questions. Recognize chairman alan for five minutes. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the threats of Transnational Criminal Organizations and the ability to identify a target it disrupted dismantle the criminal elements. I will provide perspective on the threats we face of the southwest border. we have done to address the activities before contraband arrived even once it makes it to the interior of the United States. A troubling graphic with the interagency assessment in with that Drug Enforcement did ministration and its use today. The Mexican Cartel and operating through networks and loose affiliations as we know firsthand it is a very diverse environment with border areas where the cartel has adapted the methods to the local environment. That there is not a single tactic to eliminate the threat on every border. The second most of methamphetamine is marijuana. Make some the largest largest supply marijuana to the drug market. The majority is seized after it is being smuggled between the ports of entry when it is seized at the ports of entry it is most often seen in commercial cargo. Recognizing the border in Southern California is different than other places the cartels blend into normal traffic in a given area to avoid a lawenforcement and tension. The cartels conduct surveillance on lawenforcement operations on the border principally focusing on u. S. Border protection operations. As the department changes its tactics and techniques or introduces new technology the cartels adapter operations to undermine our security efforts. One of the major factors to allow them to sustain their existence as public corruption in both mexico and the United States. The cartels rely on corrupt officials such operate and avoid seizures and arrests. In response to his assignment the 1500 special agents more than hundred 50 specialist for southwest offices. Additionally ice leads and participates in tests for its root our relationship with mexico is proven to be an Important Partnership in the fight. For example, taken down the cartels top leadership as evidenced, demonstrates how find cooperation can affect it. Thank you for the opportunity to appear today and for your continued support of ice and its lawenforcement mission. We are committed and i look for it your question. We now recognize for five minutes. Chairman, Ranking Member, distinguish members of the subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the department of states efforts on organized crime in the western hemisphere. With your permission ever formal statement i would like like to submit for the record. As the committee knows well, transnational crime undermines her Border Security, inflict harm in our communities and threatens the rule of law. The department of state spirit of information i and now which i have the honor to represent leaves our country efforts to combat crime overseas. We do this by supporting u. S. Lawenforcement Agency Agency efforts to strengthen the capacity of our criminal justice system. The fact is, is, we need strong and effective partners overseas to combat narcotics and production and trafficking. We advance our efforts to four partnerships. The Central Market regional, the Caribbean Basin Initiative in our Longstanding Partnership with columbia. Under the Maritime Initiative were working to strengthen the capacity of Mexican Institution to identify, investigate and dismantle criminal and secure our border. Inspection and detection of equipment was just applied along mexicos border and training and equipping to enhance the capacity of mexican officials to identify and this dismantle drug laboratories and carry out complex investigation of organized crime. Our investment has fostered unprecedented collaboration between american and mexican Law Enforcement authorities. In Central America, violence from gangs and other Drug Trafficking criminal networks are driving citizens to leave their home in search of safety, opportunity and Family Living abroad. Many travel to mexico and attempt to reach the United States. Our programs help our programs help government strengthen Border Security and fight traffickers and gangs and human smugglers. In 2016, Central America security units, many of which are supported by use lawenforcement agencies reported seizing over 116 metric tons of cocaine. On hundred 16 metric tons of cocaine. On the corruption front, hunters fired nearly 2000 officers while in guatemala the attorney general is bringing corruption charges against highlevel government officials. In the caribbean approximately 10 of cocaine destined for the United States. We support maritime by by equipping lawenforcement agencies and partner countries. In 2015, reported seizures reached 24 metric tons. 150 to increase over the previous years. Limit include with columbia. It remains the largest producer of camp cocaine and the origin of 90 of the amount seized in the United States. In light of the troubling increase since 2013 we know we need to deepen our collaboration with their colombian partners. The partners. The good news is that columbia, with our support has an intensified their efforts. They increase 42 to 2016. The colombian government has been our partner in the fight against crime and narcotics since before the start of 1999. We start of 1999. We are confident this partnership will into her. Let me close by reiterating our commitment to continue working with a partner governments to protect her homeland. Achieving lasting change will be neither easy nor quick. We are encouraged by results today and remain confident that assisting investment will benefit the security of the United States. Chairman, Ranking Member thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today my look forward to your question. Think ambassador. I recognize myself or five minutes for questions. Since we started late i will yield to my vice chair from texas and ill go at the end of our colleagues. Thank you chairwoman. The terse esteemed panelists, appreciate being here today and for the work that you and the men and women in your organizations do. I. I recognize the difficulty of the task. My first question is in the opening remarks you talked about how 30 of the intelligences on this high confidence intelligence, what would you need to get that number 2100 . Thank you for the question, i dont know full ever get a 200 but to raise it to the levels would like to see is straightforward, in you name or coast guard cutters on the package that go with it. The overhead Maritime Patrol aircraft. The current numbers in that transition region or about sixpoint oh and usually we have four helicopters and so thats where worried 30 if you would double that that would be good. Thats why her offshore program is so important. Can you give us context and how the say you are able to double your resources, how long would it take to make that operational . Once we put the resources in this building the ships out. The first first patrol cutters with supportive congress we have on contract shall be commissioned in 2021. Thats a fleet of 25. There are more bills to pay on that thats why we appreciate your support of my. As soon as theyre commissioned we put them down. Its. Its our highest priority. And we have the people . They would come with the ships. Well. Well be recruiting and building the forces. My next question, mr. Allen, my sense my sense is that when it comes to the ground war were having the opposite issue that we have on the seas where the level of intelligence that is coming out of the tcos in groups operating in mexico and the rest of Central America can be increase. Ive always said that when you look at the 19 criminal organizations operating in mexico alone were not making them National Intelligence priority. To agree disagree with that assessment . Would you like you like to see more nsa or cia collection to drive your operation . Thank you congressman. We do work with the Intelligence Community to get information. So, my experience most recently he has been is the chief of the tucson sector and the commander of that task force. We have been able to synthesize if you will, the intelligence that we received from the Intelligence Community and take action against it. We work with Homeland Security investigations. They have personnel assigned to our facility where we handle that information. When there is an interdiction based on that information we have been able to do parallel construction on will him that off to them. They will take it to fruition with regard to the investigation. We are always looking for ways to improve on our intelligence capabilities. That is something we continue to work out and get better at the intelligence. I would be helpful to improve the intelligence collection . How attack of the comments. We work on a a daily basis with the Intelligence Community. Nobody is going turn down assistance or information. Our biggest challenge of overseeing that i think the ic can help us with his Network Identification and identify networks out there. I think the challenge we face is the ability to illuminate the network and figure out connect people and events in ways that we can use in a prosecution. There has always been a challenge and turning intelligence into evidence. In the end our primary focus is criminal investigation and our goal is to present cases theres a natural fine line between intelligence and evidence. And our world we need to be able to turn intelligence into evidence. Thank you. I just want to point out your personnel has been tremendous over the last four years as i have been on this committee. There is nothing like seeing it for yourself and they have consistently worked with our office and reached out to show us what they do. Now it is just letting you know that we respect our newer number members. It is a very helpful experience and thank you for what you do. My first question is for chief, if you could, you referred to generally summarize where we are in the other south american countries where we see cocaine production and comment on that as it pertains to the poppy production in mexico. The Border Protection is working on the capability and working to interdict the narcotics, contraband and things like that that are being smuggled across the border. I was going to suggest that. On the issue of in colombia there has been a doubling that since 2013 number one, the who report that the colombian reports thats one reason. Another is that as it continues quite successfully the planters to countermeasures to cultivate an area where is made difficult and in the area where it wasnt allowed but they have some mountain areas. And then in the third factor is that we encourage farmers to plant anticipating it was going to be a Peace Process were coke farmers would be compensated for their crops. Nonetheless, colombian 30s 30 very much committed to eradicate manually and voluntarily. We are very intense conversations with them to figure out how we can support this efforts. But that reports mostly to go loose cocaine. I would like to explore i will go ahead and moved to my next question for mr. Allen. I think this is something that is perhaps deserving of a hearing it in and of itself. With respect to our cooperative efforts in mexico how would you describe the state and what would you like to see the future . I think the one word answers good and i would expand by saying growing. I talked earlier about our goal being criminal investigations and prosecutions. The largest hsi presence outside the United States is in mexico. Thats where we have the largest number of agents deployed internationally. I think of or going to become more effective and impact the tcos and cartels we need to grow that presence on the relationships that we have with the Mexican Federal police with customs the military and in mexico they focus on immigration through the United States. We have a a Good Relationship but need to continue to grow. On the tco chart across the United States come i know it looks like the cartel has quite a presence along the east coast. Can you tell us about that . How do they extend that deeply . It is through the use of networks. There are leveraging their networks and transportation infrastructure. Gentleman i recognize members of the subcommittee for questions. And according to the roles and practice those coming in later will be recognized in order of arrival. Thank you madame chair. Thank thank you panel for being here today and thank you for the service that you have provided in the past and will in the future to keep our country safe. I want to shift the focus a little bit if i could. We talked a lot about the drugs and the harm that brings sure country, but also the United States coast guard interdicted several migrants from former eastern bloc countries and fiscal year 15 and 16. Did you discuss how it is not just south and Central Americans this cartels are smuggling into the United States, but also people from other countries and in addition could you adjust the potential of Foreign Terrorists utilizing these cartels to utilize the maritime domain to gain entry to the u. S. Thank you for your years of lawenforcement. The coast guard last year we interdicted over 6000 primarily cubans in the straits of florida than in the eastern approaches of florida. A handful on the west coast. It was a big year, the biggest since 1994. Primarily cubans. With regards primarily cubans. With regards to what we call specialinterest, those from countries with terrorism their small numbers. Less than 20 over the the course each year over the past three years. Not a great threat back to their present. To address the real question is, are these criminal organizations capable and what they, theres no doubt my mind. Theyre sophisticated smuggling organizations that start in the southern reaches of our hemisphere and they go all the way to new york city. They work for profit. I dont think they check passports before they pick people up they will do anything for profit. We havent seen evidence of terrorist connections now but we must maintain vigilance on that. With regard to people from other nations not specialinterest, just last week we had a boat seized off of the bahamas that had a dozen Chinese People on board. Details of these migrants that come from all over the world, theres plenty of them. I think the potential highlights the fact that was brought up earlier about the gap thats created between our abilities now in the recapitalization of the fleet and your capabilities on the road. We have a gap there and that is one reason i want to salute madam chairman of the United States navy made the decision yesterday to locate the m q4 c program in jacksonville which would give us on me and aerial vehicle capability but i hope will be used to fill some of that gap that was created when the navy did away with their program which increase the gap. I bring that up to follow up on the question, i know the president has made it clear one of his Top Priorities will be rebuilding the navy to 350 plus ships. I believe it should include the u. S. Coast guard. Thats why think youre here today. And secretary kelly told us many of the ships are old and i think the one in jacksonville is 50 years old. One of those ships, can you you give us i know you talked about it earlier, how long will it be before we get those 25 . That wasnt the 2019 youre talking about, correct . The offshore patrol cutter we have under contract its a multiyear contract. The first 11 will be commissioned in 2021. As you said some, in fact all are older than the parent serving on the we have other cutters averaging 35 year length and will be of a stretch those out for 15 years until we get on board. Thats why the offshore patrol cutter is so important to get inservice. I hope the Training Program will be a great assistance to you as well. Thank you, i yelled back. We recognize mr. Korea for five minutes. First while i appreciate you being here today. Represent Southern California father for children. To me, and drugs and keeping the poison away from our children is top priority. Ive been blessed that my children have avoided those but a lot of my neighbors have not. Drugs, something that we can all agree on, stopping them from getting tour communities. As i look at our Mexican Border i chaired a mexico select committee and began to realize the tremendous Trading Partnership we have with mexico. Our second biggest trading partner we have in the world. That borders the most travel cross border in the world. I have always advocated for smart borders meaning you can check folks in merchandise before it gets to the border so we can make sure things flow smoothly and effectively. Vice admiral ray, you said something that bothered me. That is, you had had intelligence on 500 events, 500 events and you did not have the assets to stop them from possibly reaching our shores. I went to repeat the same question that has been asked, what you need and where . I look at the chart on the side come i look at look at the redlines, given that columbias now at peace with fart come i think the redlines are going to get thicker in the future. So where do you need those assets, to need them in the u. S. Or somewhere in latin america to stop that cocaine production from coming to our shores . Thank you sir, those assets would be based in the United States hopefully one of your districts. They would sail from there i go wherever we need them. Primarily where we need them is in that area between south america and Central America. Its a huge area, as big as the continental United States. Covering that is difficult. With the intelligence we have now thats what let us know whos out there. We know on a a given morning and we do this on a 24 hour cycle we know whos there and who we can get after. Of those we had to 580 of them. As i mentioned to congressman earlier, doubling down on the amount of assets we have is how you affect them. So that would be a priority serve terms of investment. The strong, also mention mention that you have a tremendous working relationship with the mexican government. A number of years ago i went to mexico city and looked their Central Intelligence monitoring stations where there are looking at almost every vehicle coming across their southern border. That information would be digitalized and sent to mexico city. My question is, what else do you need, what is that we need to do to increase, enhance our partnership with mexico to make sure the drugs do not return borders. Think building the capacity of mexican agencies and increasing the rule of law in mexico is a key part. Our role as a liaison role. Role. Increase in our footprint in mexico make sure we can have good, productive relationships. What you need from us to do that . More people. We havent talked about the president s executive the president s executive orders which calls for 10000 ice employees. Some of those would be special agents in our plan would be to deploy some of those outside of the United States. Outside of the United States and within mexico and other countries as well . Absolutely. A final question to chief benson. In terms of people of interest, do you have a number of hominy those have been apprehended crossing the southern border versus the northern border . When we talk about the term special interests over looking up folks of their travel patterns where they have been that would lead us to have concern about those individuals. That is information that we do keep. I dont have that with me today so i would have to take that back for the record. I now recognize myself or questions. I mention my opening in my Opening Statement sophisticated drivethrough operation that was recently broken up in arizona, according to press accounts it looks like they successfully smuggled large quantities of judge drugs through arizona for years, not eat eat days, or weeks but years before they were caught. These drivethrough operations or something i hear from my constituents often about we have seen encrypted communications, special code words and other tactics, the last speech that i personallys on the border is where they use sophisticated blowtorch and Welding Equipment to cut through a gates and the barrier with hinges. Theyre theyre able to prep in advance to their spotters and scouts they knew they were to be detected. If you buy it you will be able to see the breach but at the time and place of their choosing they open it up, drivethrough shut it and go through undetected. So given that case study of them been able to conduct the operations for years, to think this is the level of sophistication the new normal for Cartel Operations . Are there additional tools or authorities we need to give you to detect and interdict these operations so that im going for years before their detected . I congratulate them being rolled up, but what can we learn from it and you need Additional Authority and tool. So we do have this phenomenon of the Drug Trafficking organizations and their smuggling. They are sophisticated in their approach. They they have the benefit of time. That plenty of time to wait and seek the right opportunity to engage in their illegal activity. They scouted networks, they utilizing cryptic communications. Theyre utilizing vehicles, vehicles, sometimes very rudimentary vehicle that looks like a car carrier and they use it to rip over the fence. For us to combat the we are working on Situational Awareness, making sure we are improving our Detection Capabilities along the southwest border, is critical for us to continue to engage with our lawenforcement partner and Homeland Security investigation to make sure we are sharing the same information to know whos operating in the area and getting information from the Intelligence Committee to provide us with the prevented cell to take action. There any additional tools related to intercepting her cracking . We entered do stabilitys Congress Related to the scouts that often time you cant prosecute unless you can tie tie them to a drug load. We made that a federal crime and we didnt make it into law. Other other other tools that you need to get out in front of their techniques . Weve had some success against scouts. Weve been able to prosecute some. It requires some effort. Good solid police good solid police work to investigate do that. Were happy to do that do that well. Weve had a Good Relationship with u. S. Attorneys office in terms of being able to present this cases for them to take the prosecution on individuals who did not have narcotics with them but are still able to prove conspiracy take those cases. We will continue continue to plug away on technology, tactical infrastructure and barriers we need to keep applying those things to improve the Situational Awareness. The one thing i would add to the picture is the form peace. There is a good example last year just south of the district but on the mexican side, where, by having a Good Relationship with their mexican counterparts we are able to make sure that the border was not actually a barrier. When we had information about a failed at drivethrough drivethrough that was sorted we could kumar, enforcement to take lawenforcement action on the mexican side. This this is peace we need to continue to work on. When we do develop intelligence about a drivethrough, if we cant action it on the u. S. Side we can on the mexican side. Can i follow up on that. You talk about better coordination with authorities in mexico. Yet, endemic corruption through their government and lawenforcement, how do you balance those two . Operating but not tipping them off related to the elements of corruption that would be involved in your Partner Agencies . First of all you have to go in with your eyes wide open and acknowledge up front that corruption is a challenge. When that comes down to who you talk to where and what level of the government. Our best relationships are often in mexico city away from the border. As an example to demonstrate how important that can beyour hsi and state local lawenforcement authorities did not president operation in which we identify targets that we had indictments on and we wanted to go get it. We enlisted the support of the Mexican Federal police and got them to send more than 100 lawenforcement officers on the u. S. Side of the border in arizona and conducted an air mobile assault into mexico from the United States, fully armed coordinated among all the u. S. Agencies from the state department through lawenforcement and it was not compromised. Because we worked with u. S. Trained and vetted lawenforcement units that made that possible. Thats the way we want to continue to move. I will have more questions but my time is expired. Thank you. Thank you for your service and for being here today. Alanis dart with vice admiral ray. This not a lot of talk about building a southern wall. If that is done to think that will increase and shift more focus on to the season maritime ports of entry . I think theres a likelihood of that. We found that when determines illegal traffickers made a hard barrier on the land and theres a percentage that will go to see and try their hand there. We sit on both sides of the country and it comes to smuggling and Human Trafficking. Theres a reasonable potential for the. You testified about if you had resources it might be a good place to put it in the seas between the u. S. And central and south america. What do you first see increased threats coming into the west side of the west coast . Or is there a greater need in that area that you mentioned . We would do both. We have an ongoing operation from san diego north. We work with Partner Agencies we had a bigger fact that quite a few seizures of marijuana trafficking going on there. We been doing that on going for four years. Thats an ongoing order operation. I talk about downrange thats where the cocaine is bad for Central America. The causes all the unrest and its fuel for the fire there. Thats what drives the young people out of there. The last question is for everybody. Weve been hearing a lot about the importance of u. S. Mexico relationship. Will they address the drug cartels in the criminal organization. Yet, weve been hearing from the administration talks about building all wall and have mexico pay for the wall. Even about talks of a possible possible tariff of 20 on mexico. One of my concerns is that the talk will weaken the cooperation between u. S. And mexico. Having us less of a partner between the two, can you comment what would be the impact if we had that . If we had the u. S. And mexico weaken the cooperation what that would do in the impact to the drug cartel and us ever having to fight that threat . Im entering this job for over 30 years and it certainly we have enjoyed throughout the course of that time but i think is a Good Relationship with the government of mexico. And that has gotten better and better throughout the years. Its one that doctor durell and had mentioned. We work to address crossborder medication is we both want a secure border. We look forward to continued relationship with the government of mexico. Its important for us from a lawenforcement perspective is paying dividends on the Border Security front. I want to make sure you answer my question, that is, what will the impact be if there is less cooperation with the u. S. And mexico . I understand what youre saying. My concern is the rhetoric were hearing from this administration only leads to less cooperation. I want to know what the harm will be a must cooperation to this fight. Can you address what that impact might be . I think the short answer is that it would hurt it. But i think as mentioned in our experience would illustrate as well, we we have weathered similar storms before. Fortunately we deal very well lawenforcement lawenforcement. We have not seen degradation in our relationship. I think well be able to soldier on a make our way through it. I agree with my fellow panelists. We have not detected any deteriorations, but naturally we work on the basis of the governments want to work with us. Without it we cannot accomplish much. Budget gentlemens time has expired. Thank you very much chairwoman and to all of you. Thank you for your service. Not just you but to the men and women who also served with you. We have heard quite a bit of talk and i believe weve heard strong relationship with mexico, thankful for that. What about our working relationship with your counterparts in Central America. Could could you talk about that. We have focused on our relationship with mexico, hsi has offices throughout Central America and into south america. A lot of the same relationships we enjoyed their mexican counterparts we share their south american counterparts. In my written testimony we talked about transnational criminal investigative units where we work cooperatively with u. S. Trained investigators from host countries that allow us to project our authorities into the areas that provide that land bridge to the United States. Weathers struck trafficking or illegal migration. We see those relationships as just as important as our relationship with mexican counterparts. The further we can push out the border and identify bad things come into the the United States the better off we are. What to think can be done to better improve or enhance that relationship. He talked about the number of agents you have on the ground and mexico. What can be done to enhance that relationship in central and south america . Continue to help them build their capacity working with the of state. In the u. S. Training that is often funded through i now. So increasing the ability to help them improve their capabilities which helps us protect our borders a key part of that relationship. Chief, previous years many agents have complained or requested Communication System that would allow them to better communicate and share information with their lawenforcement partners. Is this a challenge for you and if so what can be done to improve communications between those partners . We work very hard at improving relationships with their lawenforcement partners. This is really for us we look at it as a whole of government approach. We want to make sure that lawenforcement agencies can work with us on border Security Issues. We will engage in Task Force Operations with them. Oftentimes oftentimes philip by Homeland Security investigations. Of course, we do have car to Car Communications assuming a radius are compatible there is still time to time some challenges with compatibilities and radios. Oftentimes were able to overcome a with cell phones and things like that. I was working on ways to improve communication. We enjoy what i think its a very Good Relationship with a lawenforcement community and something we look for to continuing in the years to come. Heavy head challenges with this cutie of the communications . Our communications are encrypted. So we are continually assessing the viability of the encryption and we want to make sure they remain that way. We do lose radios from time to time or they get stolen. Generally when that happens were in able to inhibit the radios. This one is we as we are aware that has happened. That is something we are always looking at. Thank you. I yelled back. I appreciate the chair for latin america men and ask questions. I want to thank the panel for being here. I started my career as a federal organist prosecutor. In texas. I saw the profound problems that we confront. I finish that we confront. I finish my career on the northern border. My concern at times is that theres not enough attention being paid to the northern border. This this been recent articles that fact that everyone is focused on the southern border in new orleans paying attention to the northern border, at least from our standpoint. I can tell you the northern border listed. We have an indian reservation that is on both sides of the border and is involved in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in cocaine and marijuana trafficking and smuggling of aliens. Many people view the Northern Borders are vulnerable to terrorist the the southern border. Maybe we could dedicate an entire hearing to the northern border because theyre different from the southern border but they do merit attention. Mature of the Homeland Security for aviation and transportation security. We saw this week there are still gaping holes in the Drug Trafficking components at our airports. With our case in puerto rico this family than a decade and may smuggle more than 20 tons of cocaine onto it aircraft from columbia to puerto rico to the us. Thats it is a profound problem with another border type issue. So director alan youre well aware of this. Id like to hear from hsi as to whether you have enough resources to fund these types of investigations. Its not the first time with haddad at the airports. Concerned about that. How can tsa or the fbi or other partners better support your efforts. I dont want fbi to be at odds with you in a separate investigation. We probably wont talk about the puerto investigation since its an impending press case. Well talk about internal conspiracies and looking at that insider threat. You are correct. Are correct. They presented a tremendous challenge for lawenforcement and everything from counterterrorism point of view and the ability get a firearm or device onto the aircraft and it falls well within the scope of our counterterrorism responsibilities of the department. From a Drug Trafficking point of view as well were where the truck trafficking organizations want to use that ability to move commercially to get their products from point a to point b. In terms of your question about resources and ability to work on that challenge, the vehicle we use for that is the Border Enforcement Security Task force. We been expanding. Yes i saw that in new york when left. We now have four airport focused vests that are to focus on that. Our goal is to expand and increase the number we have around the United States to focus on airports and seaports. What about i know fbi has headed up major operations nationwide. The example is the dallasfort worth case. A multi airport case there. How would you make it that drive better if you could . That comes onto coordination. Something ive seem change in my career and accelerated after 9 11 is the willingness and openness of agencies coordinating into conflict investigations. As long as were doing that and know that someone is working in issue if resources are needed that we are standing by to do that. As long as were talking and coordinating for on the right track. Very quickly, you have to ask a northern a northern border question. The Ship Rider Program that you use has been very good success. The canadian lawenforcement and its a good way to patrol the great lakes and the state as best you can. How is the program doing . Is there discussion about expanding it . As he said the program is doing great. Theyve doing great. Theyve done about 900 border sensitive do not. Same lawrence, great lakes and out of the south. What it needs is more people on thats really operation is maintenance money. Its members carrying a gun and being trained and operating with the canadians and thats what were short of. Hopefully we can have another hearing on this. I want to know two things, two reports. One recently titled fbi reports show terrorist experts from canada wall trump stairs that mexico and another from the daily caller illegal refugees on the new york border. I asked both to be entered into the direction record. I look for to to working with you. Round two. As much as you can and open said it can you share perspective on increased perspective and the maritime domain. Before it about them to avoid being shot out or using nightvision, can you share examples of what youve seen about tactics and Sophisticated Technology . Yes man. Without a doubt is the Panel Members have said they are an innovative adapted agile organization. As you said a sophisticated operation. If you can buy it in the open market they have the funds to buy it. That is anything to do with communicating via satellite, theyre doing it and they get that, when it comes to the ingenuity on the maritime its impressive that they can build in a ditch in the jungle and a quarter a craft capable of sealing the about the distance going from florida to Washington State and caring about seven or 8000 pounds of cocaine. Thats impressive. So incredibly innovative and resourceful. Thats what makes it so tough. Thank you. We talk about Situational Awareness and operational control. So in the land border theres been much discussion about going south. As any any sort of breach has come to the border whether there is over, through under or around, weve, weve got to make sure we have the Situational Awareness that those are happening in the ability to have operational control to intercept those breaches. Weve had many discussions about this. He said the situation awareness on the southern border, if something preaches or moves to be able see it realtime is a little over 56 percent. Do. Do you agree with that number, has any of that change so much we need to do to increase situation awareness so if something moves, you see it. So i think there it referring to density and that includes how you quit on your resources and things like that from my perspective that has gotten better as you know we have a system coming online in your district any day now, it should be coming operational and another system that will be going operational is annoyed in the very near future must not forget the value of men and women in the Border Patrol and within the field office as well being on the line of being able to observe and report with their scene. The barriers barriers that we deployed it will continue to do only, the technology we deployed, all that has to have a response element built into it and thats the men and women. We need to make sure that we deployed personnel in our objective is to get them as close to the border as possible. Obviously we want to push it south and we want to get the traffic before it ever gets to us. We dont what the border to become a single point of failure. We do need to be able to respond appropriately should something get past us. Talked about the strategy of defense in the rural areas where you have checkpoints with no real measurements of effectiveness there, but allowing the cartels to traffic through communities for hours, days miles before their intercepted. Is there going to be a fresh look at the strategy and trying to push closer to the border as opposed to panamas 50 are north of 5 miles for the border. A lot of people live in that area and that the Public Safety concern. We are constantly assessing our strategy and looking for ways to improve upon it. As i mentioned our objective really we want to push the border south as far as we can. I think weve had some Success Stories couple of which doctor ellen has mentioned today working with mexico to really get some of these bad things before theyre even crossed into the u. S. Were continuing to deploy the men and women to the border with the objective that will make the arrest is close to the border as possible on the whole was you look at it, that is occurring in a wide number varies. Some areas we have challenges with access to the border. Theres some environmentally insensitive areas. Areas. Some areas where theres no roads thats a challenge for us and we continue to work. We want them as close to the border and prevent it in the first place and then our ability to do that which does happen, we want to make sure that we do not allow the border to become that single point of failure. We want to make sure we have the capability to interdict anything that does make it across. So lets talk barriers for minute, theres the southern border, 700 miles 700 miles is land and about 1300 is water some levels the barriers and 6400 miles secretary kerry testified last week that he be listening to un troops on the ground where barriers need to be replaced or added, in your assessment, assessment, where do we need additional barriers and ill tell you some of the replacements going on in my district because in some responses from local residents and their concerns. Can you comment on your perspective. Secretary kelly did come down to the border, hes been to my sector, hes also been to the san diego sector, and he did receive briefings from a somewhat are currently down is in some of the areas we would look to enhance the and given the opportunity come our customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol we have a process the acronym is seed app analysis and what were doing is looking at were critical needs are, where there are gaps and making sure we have the plans moving forward where we want to put these things. We can provide you with another briefing to give you a better idea of where exactly we like to put a barriers. Helmet is due to the growing mexican economy that provide for people to stay and find a living in mexico . Sammy. For me that is said economics question outside of my area of expertise. Is everybody pass format quickly make but i think it is relevant looking at possibly putting tariffs on imports that on Monetary Policy that could reduce heat of the growth south of the border but theater question is sensitive that is the issue of corruption do we have any reports one bomb with articles in the past of Border Agents that look the other way. Any update . I dont have any numbers in the referred to wit and my written and oral statement but were not immune to corruption but anecdotally it is that a much lower level than it is in mexico back to the question of internal conspiracies that we face that same challenge on the borders as well and i. C. E. Is not immune United States is not immune is something we have to knowledge. Theres so much money in this business but at the same time to take all of the opportunity for those who do protect our citizens you do a good job my final question is a comment going to mexico for five months ago the issue of Public Safety is big they will not go out of their homes after the sun goes down because they fear for their lives a few days right that there Mexican Marines came to sweep the area is my understanding unofficially about 40 casualtys that 40 of of bad guys were taken now by will continue to cooperate with mexican authorities because when the Mexican Marines go with with leadership they do make a difference with those of living in the small villages throughout mexico so please continue to do a good job senate the gentleman from florida. Have you see inner canyon share of change of plans from the policy with cubans trying to head north and . As they set us cheer it was a record year in terms of growth of cube been immigration since 1994. After the what to what trifle it was repealed last month resaw a dramatic downturn. This really isnt the season when the weather and other things is a factor. We are not letting our guard down because theres always a threat with the conditions for qvc the threat that is still out there since that was repealed there is a lot less of temps. We have had a number of states that are legalizing marijuana if that is impacting the Business Model of the cartels or from Human Trafficking related to supply and demand issue. That might fall into what we call the intelligence gap there is no mistaking in transition as those primary drugs. That does not mean causality. And despite all of those efforts we still have paid drug epidemic going on in and the price of drugs in is affordable for people those hard drugs coming through the ports of intrigue of so what else do we need to do at ports of intrigue that they make their way through . I think c. Vp has done a tremendous job of a target points of entry to focus resources on that problem set the reality is c. Vp has a short time to know if they should refer somebody so those capabilities to target as they can the pedestrian environment that is key to that that is the interagency problem. And vat which helps refine targeting to give as much good information. Is there Additional Technology for to each port of entry . I have to take that back for the record. By a agree with of comments made we have to make sure that legitimate Economic Activity flows while we are intercepting me illegitimate activity that happens between the ports of injury. Looking at Border Security with the maritime domain but then at the ports of entry we have seen in my community that is old not capable to address the illegitimate activity been my hope is upgrades to the ports of entry the end to be involved of other federal buildings we need to look at this more holistic lee with infrastructure to be focused for economic and security drivers. Was somehow we talk about the points of entry but that is just as critical. Thanks to ready to be here today and i concur that it is of very good discussion i just want to focus and the ports of entry that my colleagues in indexes of few miles to for they get to the border that once you get there your job is a lot easier than it is now so is there any further thoughts of working on those ports of entry . Cp has in gauged and pilot programs the you are referring to is in california most recently arizona with a Program Joint be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Schumer well, mr. President , i rise this afternoon on a few matters. First, russia. On the continuing investigation into russian interference