National Bulk Cash Smuggling Center Expands Operations

  • Dec 13, 2011

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) National Bulk Cash Smuggling Center (BCSC) has expanded its operations center to enhance efforts to combat bulk cash smuggling. This is part of the U.S. government's national strategy to fight transnational organized crime.

The announcement by ICE Director John Morton and Sen. Patrick Leahy highlights the center's role in enhancing national security through its focus on disrupting and dismantling criminal networks that utilize bulk cash smuggling to move the proceeds of their illicit activities.

"Transnational criminal organizations have to move their money from one place to another, which makes them vulnerable," Director Morton said. "The expansion of this center, made possible by Senator Leahy, enables ICE to target these organizations where it hurts – in their wallets. We will disrupt their flow of cash, defeat their smuggling methods and like never before, anticipate future smuggling tactics and stop them in their tracks."

"I am proud of Vermont's long tradition of support for and partnering arrangements with federal law enforcement agencies, including the expansion of the Bulk Cash Smuggling Center. This Center is providing an invaluable service to federal agents around the country, just like the Law Enforcement Support Center before it," said Senator Leahy. "I am so proud that Vermonters are making such critical contributions to our efforts to combat organized crime and enhance our border security."

Established in August 2009, the BCSC is an operational, intelligence driven investigative unit with the mission to challenge bulk cash smuggling from both national and international perspectives. The BCSC is focused on the disruption of facilitation pipelines used to move currency derived from illicit activity including drugs, weapons, human trafficking, foreign political corruption and contraband.

The newly expanded center is an integral part of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) ongoing efforts to target criminal organizations involved in the smuggling of large quantities of U.S. currency.

To further enhance these efforts, the center partnered with Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Intelligence Center to intensify the disruption of illicit criminal activities. The center has also established training partnerships with the Department of Transportation's Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP), along with private training entities that focus on criminal and terrorist interdiction.

The center was cited in President Obama's July 2011 "Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime" as critical to intelligence and information sharing in the fight against transnational organized crime. Since its inception, the center has initiated 474 criminal investigations, which have resulted in nearly 270 criminal arrests and the seizure of more than $170 million.

Nearly 7,000 ICE HSI special agents are dedicated to investigating the illegal movement of people and goods that enter and leave the United States, including contraband in the form of U.S. currency.

ICE HSI investigates immigration crime, human rights violations and human smuggling, smuggling of narcotics, weapons and other types of contraband, financial crimes, cybercrime and export enforcement issues. ICE HSI special agents conduct investigations aimed at protecting critical infrastructure industries that are vulnerable to sabotage, attack or exploitation.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.