Border Security – An Important Component of Strategic Trade Controls

Brief

Under contract to the U.S. Department of State (DoS), CTP provided Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and customized border security training solutions in multiple locations in the Balkans, the Middle East, Mexico, Central America, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Africa for over two dozen tasks.  Our qualified instructors delivered dozens of training, covering topics, such as: Frontier Border Security and Interdiction (FBSI), Green Border Operations and Tracking, and Commercial Motor Vehicle Interdiction training (CMVI)   The CMVI training, especially practical, provided hands-on and classroom interdiction training programs on commercial motor vehicles to include all types of trucks, trailers, passenger buses and passenger vehicles.  The course provided instruction on the intricacies of interdicting illicit trafficking in WMD-related materials, munitions, and other contraband of concern for Customs and Border Control officers as well as other international law enforcement officers from police to counterterrorism and narcotics.  The training also included numerous train-the-trainer programs to help ensure sustainability.

Services

Results

In addition to the original core areas of the Model Country Plan (MCP) methodology, CTP evolved with its DOS clients and added a variety of border security trainings to its repertoire of strategic trade control capabilities.

Each course delivered was customized to the specific dynamics of individual countries and regions (a number of courses were presented to regional partners in a single training and setting, e.g., Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia).

The CMVI training specifically addresses the following:

1. Recognize indications that a commercial motor vehicle may be involved in some type of smuggling activity;
2. Effectively inspect the vehicle, detect hidden compartments, and conduct exhaustive searches to find contraband of concern;
3. Interview drivers and passengers to secure information that can be used in a future prosecution;
4. Seize any discovered contraband and document interdicted for use in a future prosecution;
5. Detain and/or arrest suspects; and
6. Report interdictions and suspicious commercial motor vehicle enterprise activities to national authorities and cross-border counterpart agencies.

For each CMVI course delivered, CTP/4:20 provided five types of commercial vehicles in addition to inspection equipment for the hands-on training exercises.  All activities were coordinated with the local DOS advisors and coordinators to guarantee successful deliveries.

COMMERCIAL TRAIN INTERDICTION (CTI)

At the request of DOS, CTP/4:20 developed and delivered interdiction training programs specially designed for foreign rail operations.  This included both freight, passenger and commuter train systems.  Like the CMVI training program the course provided instruction on interdicting illicit trafficking in WMD-related materials, munitions, and other contraband of concern.

Beginning in 2017 CTP/4:20 conducted seven deliveries in six locations from Azerbaijan to Ukraine to Customs and Border Control officers from nine separate countries.  Five of the trainings consisted of single deliveries to regional partners (e.g., Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey).

Because of the dynamics of rail operations each course delivery was customized to specifically address rail security concerns within each country and region.  Concerns in Mongolia were not necessarily the same as those in the Caucasus’ or Balkans.

The training specifically addresses the following:

1. Recognize indications that locomotives and rail cars may be involved in some type of smuggling activity;
2. Effectively inspect the locomotives and rail cars, detect hidden compartments, and conduct exhaustive searches to find contraband of concern;
3. Seize any discovered contraband and document interdicted for use in a future prosecution;
4. Interview train operators and passengers to secure information that can be used in a future prosecution;
5. Detain and/or arrest suspects; and
6. Report interdictions and suspicious railroad enterprise activities to national authorities and cross-border counterpart agencies.

Similar to the standard CMVI Course, CTP/4:20 conducted both classroom and hands-on training on multiple pieces of railroad equipment from box cars to tanker cars to passenger rail sleepers and commuter cars.  Due to the significant rolling stock and training site staging area requirements each delivery was coordinated with the local DOS advisor and regional Customs and rail authorities to ensure a quality program.

MARITIME INTERDICTION TRAINING (MIT)

CTP/4:20 have extensive world-wide experience working with U.S. and foreign governments in providing maritime security programs for both marine and river ports and terminals.  The MIT training is structured to maritime security measures, from basic issues such as perimeter security to more advanced initiatives encompassing all facets of port security as outlined within the International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS) as well as the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA).  These programs are designed for Customs and Border Control officers, Coast Guard and terminal and port security personnel.  Training is conducted on commercial and private vessels as well within the terminal cargo facilities at each port.

Training encompasses the following courses:

• Port Facility Security Officer Training (PFSO)
• Ship Security Officer Training (SSO)
• Company Security Officer (CSO)
• Basic Course for Port Security Guards/Police
• Advanced Port Facility Security Officer
• Designated Authority Training
• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
• Port State Control
• Access Control Drills for Port Facility Security Guards (including vehicle search and inspections; techniques to circumvent security measures, access control and barriers)
• Port Facility Security Awareness Training
• Integrated Cargo Container Inspection Program
• Customs Intelligence Analyst Training
• Basic Customs Officer Training
• Basic Coast Guard Training
• Surveillance Training Course
• Non-intrusive Container Inspection
• Recognition of Suspicious Behavior
• How to respond to radiological threat (CBRNE)
• Incident Command System (ICS) Training
• Contingency Planning-Emergency Preparedness and ISPS Compliant Exercises
• Crowd Management and Control Techniques
• Intrusion Detection
• Train-the-Trainer
• Specialized Training for Women in Law Enforcement/Security
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response “HAZWOPPER”

COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE AIRCRAFT INTERDICTION (CPAI)

The CPAI course training is specifically designed to address the issues of contraband smuggling aboard aircraft, whether commercial or private.  Training is targeted to Customs officers and counter-narcotic police assigned to airport operations.  CTP/4:20 training is delivered on actual cargo, commercial and private passenger aircraft.  Cargo aircraft instruction is conducted in the airport cargo terminals where freight received, both for outbound and inbound, is inspected.  Observation training is also taught for ground handling operations during aircraft loading and unloading.  Commercial passenger aircraft training is coordinated with the airport authorities and the individual airlines within the airport terminal facilities.  Private aircraft training is conducted at both commercial airports and private airfields.

Similar to the CMVI course, instruction addresses the following:

1. Recognize indications that a commercial, cargo and private aircraft may be involved in some type of smuggling activity;
2. Effectively inspect the aircraft, detect hidden compartments, and conduct exhaustive searches to find contraband of concern;
3. Interview aircraft crew, ground handlers and passengers to secure information that can be used in a future prosecution;
4. Seize any discovered contraband and document interdicted for use in a future prosecution;
5. Detain and/or arrest suspects; and
6. Report interdictions and suspicious commercial, cargo or private aircraft enterprise activities to national authorities.