Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the U.S. Customs Service's development of its Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) Program, intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of federal drug interdiction efforts.

GAO found that Customs: (1) constructed two centers, and plans to construct a third, to aid in identifying possible smugglers, coordinating intercept operations, facilitating interagency communication, and developing anti-drug-smuggling intelligence; (2) coordinated the program's development primarily through meetings with the Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Defense (DOD), Immigration and Naturalization Service, and Federal Aviation Administration; and (3) made significant changes to the program's role, level of intelligence activities, center configuration, and military involvement as a result of the other agencies' input. GAO believes that, although the program changes will enhance Customs' command and control capabilities and facilitate better use of drug interdiction resources among agencies, they will not centralize federal drug interdiction activities.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter: In view of the changes made to the program by Customs and the recent passage by Congress of DOD authorization legislation, Congress should review the program's direction before additional upgrades are approved.

Status: Closed - Implemented

Comments: Congress, in the fiscal year (FY) 1990 budget process, reviewed Customs' command, control, communications, and intelligence center program. It enhanced the program by $5 million and identified the program separately in Customs' drug interdiction budget.