United States Customs and Border Protection

Developed in 2021, Operation Eleanor exemplifies leadership by showing successful outcomes when agencies combine resources. By utilizing informative technologies, regional intelligence centers, the National Targeting Center, and engagement with police partners, this investigation made a remarkable impact on the transnational criminal activity related to the export of stolen vehicles and changed investigation strategies across the United States regarding this threat picture. Specifically, this operation created a method to document surveillance and coordinate the examination of outbound shipping containers. This innovation led to the real-time coordination of surveillance while enhancing the knowledge and capabilities of Customs and Border Protection officers in the field. Intel analysts used facial recognition and reviewed license plate reader hits to identify and target involved parties. This collaboration led to 59 seizures of 115 stolen vehicles as well as the execution of multiple federal criminal warrants for tampering with a witness by murder, carjacking, transportation of stolen vehicles, and export violations.
 

United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Investigations

In April 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Midland, Texas, received information regarding a Guatemalan-based transnational criminal organization (TCO) operating in West Texas and believed to have been responsible for the death of a Guatemalan national while he was being smuggled into the United States. HSI Special Agents Hernan Velez-Jimenez and Anthony Dreitner led the investigation, in conjunction with HSI Guatemala and the Government of Guatemala (GoG); conducting operations that ultimately led to the dismantlement of the TCO. This HSI investigation resulted in 13 arrests for human smuggling, 6 arrests for Illegal Re-Entry, and the arrest of 117 undocumented non-citizens. In August 2022, HSI Guatemala City, in conjunction with the Transnational Criminal Investigation Unit (TCIU) and the GoG, executed 28 search warrants resulting in the arrest of 19 Guatemalan nationals, four of whom were leaders of the Guatemalan based TCO. Additionally, GoG authorities seized ten vehicles, six firearms, and over $90,000 in cash.

United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Investigations  

The Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) San Diego Field Office teams are part of the San Diego and Imperial County (SDI) HIDTA Transnational Organized Crime (TCO/Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) Initiative, known as Operation Citadel. Operation Citadel is an HIS San Diego led initiative designed to disrupt drug trafficking organizations’ (DTO) transportation and staging networks in southern California. The innovative tactics employed under Operation Citadel have proven critical to disrupting DTO operations at every level.  

These joint HIDTA operations are extremely effective at disrupting narcotics smuggled by Mexican drug cartels including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The innovative operational approach has created a framework resulting in the disruption to drug trafficking organizations that are exploiting our nation’s borders. The impact of these successful operations is vital to promoting border security and increasing public safety ultimately dismantling Transnational Organized Crime operating within the southern California regions and beyond.  

Colleyville Police Department 

In the summer of 2019, the Colleyville (Texas) Police Department, United States Secret Service, and Investigators from the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office initiated an investigation into multiple romance and lottery scams involving elderly victims across the country. Agencies worked collaboratively across multiple state and federal jurisdictions to ultimately identify an international fraud ring that was operating in the United States. This transnational criminal organization is responsible for moving over $4 million in fraudulent proceeds from these scams into overseas bank accounts. Through this case, investigators positively identified multiple suspects, ring-leaders, and money mules operating in the United States and successfully apprehended them. Although the case is still active, there are currently four suspects arrested, charged, and awaiting trial. Seizures include two Freightliner Truck Tractors and approximately $25,000.00 in cash. Additionally, $200,000 in fraudulent proceeds have been secured and the team is proceeding with forfeiture. Identifying and prosecuting these transnational criminal leaders as well as identifying their fraud schemes successfully mitigates the threat to communities and their most vulnerable residents. 

Dubai Police, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Police’s Operation Stalker oversaw intelligence gathering and later prosecution of members of a multi-level, transnational drug trafficking organization. The operation began when the Dubai Police received intelligence on illicit drug activity. Quickly working to protect their jurisdiction, the Dubai Police coordinated with INTERPOL and multiple agencies throughout the Middle East in areas where the illicit activity was believed to be taking place. Ultimately, 16 suspects were apprehended, all of which are being charged with multiple drug crimes. The Dubai Police seized approximately 268 kg of heroin, 96 kg of crystal meth, valued at a total market value of $80 million; the largest seizure in the United Arab Emirates.

The National Crime Agency, United Kingdom

Operation RORIPA and DEA Operation RENACER was a joint National Crime Agency (NCA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation into Colombian cocaine suppliers utilizing West African trade routes to facilitate cocaine importations into Europe. In 2015, NCA commenced an investigation into intelligence of an unidentified Colombian national who was due to meet with a major transport provider on the Venezuelan/Colombian border. It was later discovered that the DEA was also conducting surveillance on the same subject. Over the next two years, the two agencies shared leads until the DEA gathered enough evidence to conduct an arrest. During the length of the investigation, the agencies jointly identified the key players such as the financial controller; cocaine suppliers; aviators in Africa and the United States who fly and maintain aircraft used for illicit loads; and facilitators. Ultimately, numerous perpetrators have been charged and indicted in the United States.