The C-TPAT program is a voluntary government-business initiative designed to build cooperative relationships that enhance border security and facilitate legitimate trade. CBP officials recognize that a safe and secure supply chain is critical to national security, and C-TPAT can provide the highest level of security only through close cooperation with the owners of the supply chain-importers, carriers, brokers, and others. C-TPAT is built upon the success of the Carrier Initiative Program (CIP), the Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition (BASC) and the Americas Counter Smuggling Initiative (ACSI).

Three partnership programs
The Customs Initiative Program (CIP), established in 1984, is a joint effort involving CBP and air, sea, land, and railroad carriers. The program encourages carriers to improve their security practices to prevent drug smuggling onboard their conveyances.

The Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition (BASC), initiated in March 1996, is a business-led, CBP-supported alliance created to combat narcotics smuggling via commercial trade. BASC was designed to complement and enhance the CIP. The idea driving BASC is that it's possible to examine the entire supply chain process, from point of manufacture, through the shipping process, from foreign docks, to final destinations in the United States.

The Americas Counter Smuggling Initiative (ACSI) is a priority undertaking, established by the former Customs Service, to build upon the success of the CIP and BASC by strengthening and expanding our anti-narcotics security programs with the trade industry and governments throughout Central and South America.

Hands-on training
In May 2003, the Office of Field Operations, C-TPAT division, held a week-long seminar for the trade and CBP employees in Miami, Fla. The training, which was held for personnel participating in ACSI, consisted of briefings on port security, bio-terrorism, drugs and gun smuggling, weapons of mass destruction, and anti-terrorism activities.

"This kind of seminar fortifies the alliances between trade representatives and CBP officials. Nothing compares to hands-on experience," said Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations.

Also during the week of the ACSI training, 45 members of BASC representing Colombia, Peru, Panama, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Jamaica were having a meeting at the same location to discuss its future.

CBP site survey of foreign companies
ACSI teams are multi-disciplinary groups composed of CBP officers who may travel to Latin American countries selected for their strategic location in drug-producing transit locations. Some of the countries selected in the initial phase of ACSI are Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama.

ACSI teams work with business executives and visit companies to conduct security site surveys and drug awareness training. The teams supply information about methods used by drug smugglers and demonstrate techniques designed to counter the smuggling of narcotics and instruments of terror.

The CBP officers attending the Miami seminar visited a local company to see how an ACSI team conducts a security site survey. During the tour, the group was advised to look for the natural perimeters and unsecured entries of the facility. "To catch a crook, you must try to think like one," said Joseph J. Reichel, Jr., a senior CBP inspector at Port Everglades, Fla. "Ask yourself, how could I get into the site without being noticed?"

CBP is working diligently to keep the supply chain secure by building partnerships with the trade community and by providing training to create a united front. "Continuous training increases the security awareness of the trade community that imports into the United States and helps them keep their companies from falling prey to terrorist organizations," said Robert Perez, director of C-TPAT Program, Office of Field Operations.