[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 t