The Offices of International Affairs and Investigations developed CAPERS, in conjunction with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). CAPERS encourages greater cooperation, communication, and liaison between participating members and will be achieved by fostering a coordinated approach to Customs enforcement matters by providing a free exchange of information and assistance in the investigation of violators of Customs or other law enforcement offences. "Organizations that succeed in the new millennium will be those that maximize their efficiency through synergistic partnerships such as CAPERS," says Assistant Commissioner Douglas Browning, Office of International Affairs who is a staunch supporter of the development of CAPERS.

About the system
CAPERS is an Internet-based reporting system and as such has an almost unlimited capacity for data traffic. It uses the Netscape Web site search engine as its platform, which has a 128-bit encryption system to ensure that the security of confidential and restricted information is not compromised during transmission, retrieval, or storage. The system also provides all users with encrypted-secure e-mail. This allows a secure exchange of law enforcement sensitive information between its members.

Because the system is Internet-based, members have the ability to exchange information or news items including pictures, post questions and receive answers, and search CAPERS for specific topics of interest at their convenience with individual persons or groups (forums).

Benefits to members
Information sharing between members enables Customs officers to research and analyze information, providing indicators to enhance the detection of drugs and other contraband. Secure e-mail enables users to communicate daily in order to target smuggling operations and suspect persons, vessels, and cargo.

For example, there are numerous "concealment alerts," which give details of the method of concealment along with photographs of "hides." These can be very useful for officers involved in cargo examination duties or officers working at international airports as smuggling trends can be shared across borders almost instantaneously. Greater awareness of the emerging or current trends and patterns can be posted on the Web site and can lead to more information being reported between countries.

The system's library facility can be used to deliver training packages to assist members with drug interdiction and identification, commercial fraud detection, or information/intelligence analysis training, just to name a few.

The system is currently accessed by the Australian Customs Service, Aruba Customs, Canadian Customs - Vancouver, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Customs Service, the Forum Secretariat in Suva, Guam Customs and Quarantine Service, Japan Customs, New Zealand Customs Service, the Oceania Customs Organization Secretariat, Palau Customs Service, Royal Thai Customs, Tonga Customs, and the U.S. Customs Service.

The CAPERS system is currently available in U.S. Customs Offices in Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Blaine, Los Angeles, JFK, Washington, D.C., Guam, and Bangkok.

For further information on CAPERS, please contact Keith Tamashiro, at the Honolulu Regional Support Center, at (808) 541-2623, ext. 130 or keith.h.tamashiro@customs.treas.gov.

CAPERS will not be admitting any new member countries at this time. The system is still in a trial phase that will end September 30, 2002, when an assessment of the system will be conducted.