This specialized law enforcement capability allows CBP A&M to make significant contributions to the homeland security efforts of DHS, as well as to those of Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies. To accomplish this mission, CBP A&M utilizes over 900 Federal Agents, operating from 74 air and marine locations, with moran than 270 aircraft of 22 different types, and more than 180 maritime vessels.

Air and Marine mission:

• Provide support to CBP’s anti-terrorism mission at U.S. borders including, air-to-ground interception of people and contraband illegally crossing land borders, air-to-air interception of aircraft, and air-to-water interception of transportation vessels.
• Provide support for CBP’s traditional work, such as border interceptions unrelated to terrorism and other DHS missions as well.
• Conduct air operations in support of other federal, state and local needs, such as disaster relief.

Enforcement Statistics: During the 2008 Fiscal Year, CBP A&M personnel and assets were involved in law enforcement operations at home and abroad that resulted in the seizure of more than 149,000 pounds of cocaine and more than 214,000 pounds of marijuana. These operations also resulted in more than 72,000 arrests. These operations involved CBP aircraft and vessels, which are stationed in strategic locations along the United States border. In addition, CBP A&M interdiction aircraft are frequently assigned on a rotating basis to drug source and transit zone locations, such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Aruba. CBP A&M aircraft also deploy when necessary to sites in Panama, Peru, Belize, El Salvador, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.