But i trusted him. Sunday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspans q a. Next up, a hearing on drug cartels, the house humanitarian subcommittee on border and Maritime Security heard from officials with the coast guard and Homeland Security and state departments. Its chaired by arizona congresswoman martha mcsally. He hearings 90 minutes. Ms. Mcsally the subcommittee on border and Maritime Security will come to order. Let me first apologize for being a little bit late. Need to clone ourselves around here. I was in an Armed Services committee hearing. Very important on the f35 and the way ahead for our troops. So appreciate your patience. The subcommittee is meeting today to examine the threats posed by drug cartels. I recognize myself for an Opening Statement. First, id like to welcome the newest member of our subcommittee, the gentleman from florida, mr. Rutherford. Welcome. I look forward to working with you and the other new members of the committee. As we begin the 115th congress, let me be clear from the outset, i hope that over the course of this congress we can engage in thoughtful and productive conversations that lead to legislation that will help secure our homeland. One of my goals this year as chair of this subcommittee is to drill down on the threat that an unsecure border poses to our fellow americans, which will be the focus of our conversation today. At our next hearing, we will hear from the leaders of the Border Security joint task forces, authorized by this Committee Last congress, to examine the nations counternetwork approach to combating the threat. Protecting our borders is a multifaceted effort. The job of securing the land border falls primarily to the u. S. Border patrol, while it is the job of the u. S. Coast guard to secure our maritime border. We do have office of Field Operations has the Important Role of securing more than 300 ports of entry while air and Marine Operations carries out air and maritime environment missions to detect and interdict unlawful people and cargo approaching our borders. Finally, h. S. I. , Homeland Security investigations supports National Security through its investigatory authorities and responsibilities. These are not simple or easy tasks. The southwest border is a dynamic place with unforgiving terrain, rugged mountains, scorching desert, high cliffs, canyons and more than a thousand miles of river. The maritime border is more than 4. 5 million square miles of vast ocean, patrolled by a limited number of assets, providing cartels with enormous expanses of territory in which to conduct illicit activities. Congress has appropriated billions of dollars to shore up our border defenses. Today we have an impressive array of technology, infrastructure and personnel deployed to keep the nation safe. Despite our best efforts, we have seemingly made little progress over the last few years to secure the border. Most recently reports and testimony suggest that, between our ports of entry, we are little more than 50 effective at stopping people from crossing the border illegally, and narcotics continue to pour into our communities unabated. But on the other side of the border, the adversary, the mexican drug cartels, operate a wide reaching network. Nothing moves in or out unless the cartel plaza boss says so. Cartel presence, influence and power throughout mexico is ubiquitous. Corruption is endemic, and local Law Enforcement in mexico often find themselves illequipped to handle the vast amounts of cartel activity. Smuggling drugs and people is a billiondollar business and the individuals in charge have one goal in mind, make as much money as possible delivering illicit narcotics and people across the border and into the United States. Obscene profits incentivize the cartels to be entrepreneurial and innovative in the tactics they use to successfully smuggle their illicit cargo. For instance, we know that they conduct extensive ountersurveillance against our agents. They place spotters, or scouts, on mountains, and use the high ground to guide the drug loads away from agents and other detection assets. Sophisticated and deep tunnels that include the use of ventilation systems and rail cars to expedite the smuggling of drugs have also been used. We have also seen the use of propanepowered Double Barrel cannons to shoot hundreds of pounds of drugs over the fences and barriers. Ultra light aircraft, difficult to detect on radar, have been used under think cover of darkness to drop drugs over the border. In my district, authorities broke up a complicated smuggling bring. They cross remote parts of the border. They use scouts, cryptic communication and it was not an amateur operation by any means. It was a sophisticated enterprise with advanced tactics to thwart Law Enforcement at very turn. Im sure well hear about that from you today making them more difficult to track and interdict. Semisubmersibles, painted blue to blend with the ocean, barely visible above the waterline have been used to deliver multiton rug loads from mexico. Cartels will not sit idly by as we adjust our strategy. They will adapt, they will innovate and just plain outsmart us if we do not leverage the fuel power of all of us ogether. I ask unanimous consent that mr. Katko be allowed to participate n the hearing. We look forward to being able to achieve our ultimate goal which is to have as much do as much as we can to impact the negative work that the cartels do in south america, mexico and all throughout the United States and at the same time do what we can to take drugs off our streets. I would like to introduce our new members, congresswoman val demings represents floridas 10th Congressional District and previousry served as chief of the Orlando Police department, the first woman to hold that position. Congresswoman nanette baragon, represents the 44th Congressional District which includes the port of los angeles. Id also like to recognize my colleague mr. Richmond, our Senior Member in the committee and hes joined us on this subcommittee for the first time. I look forward to working with all of you because each of you bring a unique look to our subcommittee. Our subcommittee hearing today is one of particular interest today given that like congresswoman mcsamly i represent a border district and mine is in the Rio Grande Valley by texas. For years now, the state across from my Congressional District has been coping, we have serious Security Issues due to cartel iolence. My colleagues and i will be launching a social media effort to help promote the idea of bringing peace to the state there. As mexican caffer tells have fought for control of smuggling corridors within mexico and along our southern border, communities on the mexican side have seen record levels of drugrelated homicides and violence. The threat is not con tined confined to our southern border. Cartels use Networks Networks within the United States to smuggle drugs, weapons and other contraband. The safety of our communities and so many communities across the nation depend on security across the border. I want to continue to be supportive of United States efforts to that end. Im also appreciative of secretary kellys recent comments with respect to what he would like to do to address the issue of demand in this country. I hope to hear from you today about how the various components within d. H. S. Are coordinating with our counterparts in Central America and mexico to combat Transnational Criminal Organizations and enhance Border Security. I would ask all of our witnesses to speak to the subcommittee about how the threat has evolved and changed over time, what you need to address this threat, and what we as members of congress can do to support all of your efforts. Border communities like the ones that many of us represent and our neighbors in mexico are counts on us to get this right. Madam chairman, thank you for holding this hearing and i appreciate our witnesses joining us today. I look forward to a Productive Congress with you and all the members of the subcommittee. I yield back the balance of my time. Members of the committee are reminded other Opening Statement hay be submitted for the record. Were joined by four witnesses. O discuss this vice admiral ray has served as pacific area commander and in iraq. Commander paul beeson is commander of joint task force west, arizona. As commander of jtf west, hes responsible for offering strategic guidance, through command, control and coordination of operational if you thinks within the constituent of arizona. In addition to that, commander beeson has oversight of the tucson secor, overseaing overseeing eight stations. Mr. Matthew al season assistant director for investigative programs for Homeland Security nvestigations. Hes responsible for National Policy implementation and the cooperate an execution of initiatives. Mr. Allen served as special agent in charge for Homeland Security investigations where he had oversight of the full spectrum of i. C. E. And led more than 500 personnel around the state. Ambassador luis arreaga was appointed Deputy Assistant secretary of state for the bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement afares in 2013. Hes responsible for state department programs, come batting ill list drugs as well as support for Law Enforcement and rule of law in the western hells fear. Prior to his appointment, ambassador arreaga served as ambassador to the republic of iceland from 2010 to 2013. He witnesses full written statements will appear in the record. Admiral raycognizes for testimony. Admiral ray im plarly pleased to testify alongside three of our most important partners in the fight against transnational crime, c. B. P. , i. C. E. , and department of state. d like to thank chief beason, inspector allen and assistant secretary arreaga. When i talk about the transit zone im generally speaking to that and the when we speak of the maritime transit zone its that area between south america, Central America and southern mexico. We continue to face a significant threat from Transnational Criminal Networks whose drug transit routes lead to the southern approach of the United States. Coast guard protects the maritime border not just here at home but also off the coast of south and Central America as part of our layered security strategy. As secretary kelly stated just a few days ago, the defense of the southwest border really starts about 1,500 miles south of there. When Transnational Criminal Organizations are violent transnational organizations harm economies and threaten citizen throughout the hemisphere. They engage in all manners of ill list active and destabilize latin america. The widespread violence they employ has reached epidemic levels and drives the continued flow of my grants from Central America and mexico who attempt to ill locally enter the United States. As one of the nations five armed forces and the only one with broad Law Enforcement authority, the coast guard is uniquely positioned to attack these criminal networks where theyre most vulnerable, at sea. The offshore transit zones we employ a cutter and airborne use of force capable helicopter, High Speed Pursuit boats and highly trained boarding teams. We seize multiton loads of drugs at sea before they were broke intoon small quantityities which are extremely difficult to detect and cause devastation at each step of their journey as they make their way to north america. Beyond our own capabilities, we leverage over 42 maritime law enforce. Hi lateral agreements, 29 of sch are in the western hemisphere, to enable interdictions and prosecuted. In many areas were the only maritime presence to enforce criminal statutes with our maritime neighbors oumple coast guard personnel assets are effective. Weve interdicted more cocaine at sea in 2016 than was interdicted in all the land by federal, state and locals bined. Because we get it in bulk caunt question quantities offshore. Sometimes in the thousands of kilo. In doing is we push the border south and significantly impact criminal organizations. Beyond demonstrating our effectiveness, these statistics indicate that cocaine and ill list trafficking of all kinds are on the rise. However, resource constraints and lack of assets allow the u. S. Coast guard to only attack or target 30 of the known cases that we have good intelligence. Really high confidence intelligence. As a result of ladge of resources last year, we were prevented from getting after 580 known smuggling events and those shipments made their way north. Other significant National Security demands on our great navy preclude their participation in this area of operations. In his testimony before the committee, secretary kelly noted there hasnt been a significant sustained Navy Presence in the caribbean an eastern pacific for almost four years. In that time our coast guard has doubled down, our presence doubled down our presence in the region and we are your force in the maritime approaches to the u. S. We continue to look for ways to increase our offshore cutter presence and as ive said we dont have the assets to address all the intelligence that we have. For that reason, recapitalizing our cutter fleet with our offshore cutter program is a must to enable the coast guard to meet mission demand. We appreciate the thus far and continued support from this congress will be essential as we move on to commission our first offshore patrol cut for the 2021. These new assets will make us more effective. Just like the other armed forces, were also facing significant Readiness Challenges with infrastructure and strained work force. Our commandant says he beliefs it will stay this way as long as the budget control act is in effect. Well continue to use riskbased approach to allocate resources. We have an outstanding dedicated group of women and men as evidenced by the 201 metric tons of can cocaine we seized in 2016. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today and for all you do for the women and men of the coast guard. I look forward to addressing your questions and concerns. Ms. Mcsally thank you, commander ray. The chair recognizes congressmanner beason to testify for five minutes. Commander beason good morning. Chairwoman mcsally and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to aper today on bf of u. S. Customs and Border Protection to discuss the evolving drug smuggling tactics and techniques used by Transnational Criminal Organizations and how c. B. P. Is working to address this threat and secure our nations abort borders. I began my career as a Border Patrol agent in 1985 and in my 32 years of service i have seen the border change. From just a barbed wire fence and a few Border Patrol agents, to today with 600 miles of fencing and 2,000 Border Patrol agents on duty. The border has changed and become more complex. Over the course of my career, i have seen the creation of the department of Homeland Security, funding increases and decreases, and the committed evolution of criminals who seek to exploit our borders. I have also seen c. B. P. And the legacy offices that make up c. B. P. , worked with corning to ill prove the border environment. Personnel, resources, technology, and tactical infrastructure have shaped the border we see today. We have realized greater situation awareness and significant reductions in activity from a high of over 1. 6 million arrests in fiscal year 2000 to just over 400,000 arrests last fiscal year. Throughout my career, i have seen t. C. O. s demonstrate unending resolve in their intent to exploit the border for their own gain. They have used nimble and innovative tactics to illegally cross our borders and smaugle smuggle both people and contraband. T. C. O. s operate throughout the border environment including at and between the ports of entry and the various domains such as land, air, and see. C. B. P. Has met and combated these illegal activity bus t. C. O. s continue in their intent to circumvent Border Security measures. Drug smuggling is part of many t. C. O. Enterprises and today these groups smuggle drugs by foot, vehicle, air, tunneling an even through the use of projectile type systems. T. C. O. s also rely on scouting and countersurveillance, concealment and Logistical Support to further their illegal drug smuggling operations. While illegal drug smuggling still occurs, c. B. P. Continues to take steps