Customs Service Drug Interdiction: Internal Control Weaknesses and Other Concerns With Low-Risk Cargo Entry Programs
GGD-98-175
Published: Jul 31, 1998. Publicly Released: Jul 31, 1998.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Custom Service's drug-enforcement operations along the Southwest border of the United States, focusing on: (1) Customs' low-risk, cargo entry programs in use at three ports on the Southwest border--Otay Mesa, California; Laredo, Texas; and Nogales, Arizona; (2) the results of GAO's evaluation of internal controls over the Line Release Program; and (3) the processes used to assess the risk of narcotics smuggling in other cargo entry programs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| United States Customs Service | The Commissioner of Customs should strengthen internal control procedures for the Line Release application and review process to ensure fully researched and documented risk-assessment decisions on applicants. |
Closed – Implemented
Although Customs issued national quality standards for Line Release on November 17, 1998, the standards did not include strengthened internal control procedures over Line Release applicants. Customs plans no further action on this recommendation.
|
| United States Customs Service | The Commissioner of Customs should suspend the Three Tier Targeting Program until it can be determined if more complete and comprehensive data are available on which to base "low risk for narcotics smuggling" risk assessments. |
Closed – Implemented
Customs concluded that because of GAO's findings and other considerations, field offices were to discontinue using the Three Tier Targeting Program to identify and target high-risk shipments.
|
| United States Customs Service | The Commissioner of Customs should evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Automated Targeting System, as designed and implemented at Laredo, and use the evaluation results to determine whether other land-border cargo ports should implement the system or whether additional testing is needed. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Customs is continuing to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Automated Targeting System.
|
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Topics
Customs administrationDrug traffickingFreight transportationInspectionInternal controlsInternational tradeLaw enforcementNarcoticsSmugglingTrucking operationsCargo screening