ICE expands multi-agency police program to improve sea port security nationwide
By APTuesday, August 17, 2010
US program aims to improve sea port security
SAN DIEGO — The federal government is expanding a multi-agency policing program at the U.S.-Mexico border to improve security at the nation’s sea ports.
John Morton, the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, made the announcement Tuesday at the annual meeting of the program, called the Border Enforcement Security Task Force.
Morton says the program has been successful in bringing about 6,400 cases involving drugs, arms and immigrant smuggling along the border. He says it started five years ago in Laredo, Texas, and has expanded to 17 border locations.
The program will be started at ports along the Gulf Coast, in Seattle and other areas.
Under the program, federal police agencies such as the Coast Guard, Border Patrol and ICE and others work together on cases.
