see also: in September 2006 News Releases:   CBP Seized Heroin Onboard Mayaguez Ferry   The Dominican Republic to Implement Container Security Initiative and Begin Targeting and Pre-Screening Cargo Destined For U.S.   Civil Penalties for Agriculture Import Violations to Increase October 1   CBP Border Patrol Arrests Homicide Suspect in Abilene, Texas   Border Patrol Advanced Training to Move to Charleston, S.C.   National Guard Spots Attempted Vehicle Drive-through ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington, D.C. — United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner W. Ralph Basham announced today that the Container Security Initiative (CSI) will become operational at the Port of Freeport. CBP personnel will be stationed at the port to work with their counterparts in targeting and prescreening cargo containers destined for the U.S.

“This marks a step forward in the protection of goods moving from the Bahamas to the United States, as well as a step ahead for the Bahamas and the United States-commerce,” said Commissioner Basham. “This program is a key instrument in CBP’s effort to protect and promote the expeditious movement of goods.”

CSI is operational in Europe, Asia, Africa, North, South and Central America, and the Middle East. Approximately 82 percent of all maritime cargo destined for the United States is prescreened at CSI ports. Unveiled in January 2002, CSI serves the interests of both business and security. Under CSI, containers scheduled for importation into the United States that are deemed high-risk are inspected at CSI ports. By “extending the borders”, CSI thus secures shipping lanes and facilitates the movement of goods.

CSI is a critical component of the government’s strategy to secure the Nation from the terrorist threat using maritime cargo containers. Twenty-eight Customs administrations have committed to joining CSI and are at various stages of implementation.

CSI initially became operational in the top 20 largest volume ports that export to the U.S. The program will continue to expand to strategic locations globally that ship goods to the U.S. and that have appropriate infrastructure and technology to participate in the CSI. By the end of 2007, CBP officials hope to expand CSI to 58 ports. This expansion would mean that about 85 percent of imported goods would be covered by CSI.

Freeport is the 50th seaport at which CSI has become operational.

The World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union (EU), and the G8 support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.