INTRODUCTION
Customs and Border Protection’s counter-synthetic drug operational strategy focuses on disrupting and dismantling Transnational Criminal Organizations’ (TCO) efforts to produce fentanyl and other synthetic drugs by going after the materials required to produce these deadly substances. Beginning in June 2023, CBP led a national coordinated, comprehensive, multi-agency operation targeting the synthetic drug flow and focusing on supply chains that produce synthetic drugs and their precursors with inbound inspections and outbound operations along the Southwest Border. Concurrently, CBP targeted the supply chain inspections of shipments in the air cargo, postal, and express consignment environments to include secure areas under CBP supervision where importers store goods that have not entered the commerce of the United States, in multiple areas of responsibility.
HOW AIRLINES AND INDUSTRIES MAY HELP WITH COMMERCIAL DISRUPTION
Understanding: CBP has identified a smuggling technique in which a master carton is used to conceal precursor chemicals in smaller packages contained within. The smaller packages are pre-affixed with domestic labels and are introduced into the domestic stream once deconsolidated. These packages are either unmanifested or mis manifested.
Recognizing & how you can help:
- Identify and report early signs that may indicate a potential movement of precursor chemicals, binding agents, pill presses, and parts used in synthetic opioid production.
- Help CBP by supplying individual package information that is contained within master cartons.
- Recognize incomplete or inaccurate data transmissions.
- Consider that nefarious actors will utilize the air cargo environment in the co-mingling ofthese items via Master Carton Smuggling tactics, using third-country routing.
- Consider reporting shipments that appear to be mis-manifested or mislabeled, based onsize, shape, or weight discrepancies.
- You may report suspicious activity to CBPCOUNTERSYNTHETICCAMPAIGN@cbp.dhs.gov
RESPONSIBILITIES OF ACAS FILERS
19 CFR 122.48a(c)(4)
Required information in possession of third party. Any other entity in possession of required cargo data that is not the incoming air carrier, or a party described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section must fully disclose and present the required data for the inbound air cargo to either the air carrier or other electronic filer, as applicable, which must present such data to CBP.
19 CFR 122.48b(d)(1)
Requires “Mandatory data elements. The following data elements are required to be submitted at the lowest air waybill level (i.e., at the house air waybill level if applicable) by all ACAS filers:”. ACAS Data Elements are Shipper Name and Address; Consignee Name and Address; Cargo Description; Weight; Piece Count; and Air Waybill Number.
BECOME A CAMPAIGN PARTNER
Commercial disruption includes cooperation and coordination with international partners and private industry to increase vigilance and prevent the diversion of chemicals for illicit synthetic drug production. Campaign partners often have a broad reach to large audiences and can commit to being active with the campaign. Our partners are instrumental in raising vigilance in their organization.
To learn more about becoming a partner, send an email to the CBP Counter Synthetic Drugs Campaign, CBPCOUNTERSYNTHETICCAMPAIGN@cbp.dhs.gov
