Combatting the Opioid Epidemic: Intercepting Illicit Opioids at Ports of Entry

Publication

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic: Intercepting Illicit Opioids at Ports of Entry

Abstract

At the request of Ranking Member Claire McCaskill, the Democratic Staff of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs examined the efforts of of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which plays a vital role in interdicting illicit narcotics before they can enter the United States. The investigation found that CBP Officers at ports of entry (Port Officers) play a key role in stopping opioids and that CBP has significant shortages of Port Officers that may be compromising efforts to seize additional opioids before they can reach U.S. communities. This report summarizes and analyzes data relating to the number and amount of opioid seizures at ports of entry over the last five years.