National Security Investigations Division

Counter-Proliferation Investigations Unit

Counter-Proliferation Investigations Unit Fact Sheet

The Office of Investigations within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the only federal law enforcement agency with full statutory authority to investigate and enforce criminal violations of all U.S. export laws related to military items, controlled “dual-use” commodities, and sanctioned or embargoed countries.  While ICE, through its predecessor agency (U.S. Customs Service), has had success for more than 30 years as the nation’s lead law enforcement agency investigating violations of export control laws, the magnitude and scope of the threats facing our country have never been greater than today.

ICE agents in the field who conduct counter-proliferation investigations (CPI) focus on the trafficking and illegal export of the following commodities and services:

• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) materials;
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) materials;
• Military equipment and technology;
• Controlled dual-use commodities and technology;
• Firearms and ammunition; and
• Financial and business transactions with sanctioned and embargoed countries and terrorist organizations.

Project Shield America - A Partnership to Protect America

Project Shield America - A Partnership to Protect America pamphlet (PDF | 192 KB)

One of the most effective tools ICE agents use to protect America and its technological and military advantage is Project Shield America (PSA).  PSA is an industry outreach initiative developed by the CPI Unit within ICE Headquarters whereby ICE agents conduct presentations with manufacturers and/or exporters of strategic commodities that are believed to be targeted for procurement by terrorist organizations and the countries that support them as well as countries identified as weapons proliferators. During PSA visits, ICE agents educate companies and individuals on U.S. export laws, discuss export licensing issues and requirements, identify “red flag” indicators used in illegal procurement, and identify the government agencies responsible for the licensing of export-controlled commodities and technology.

In addition to educating manufacturers and exporters on U.S. export laws, PSA is also a mechanism for forming partnerships between ICE and individuals and companies involved in the manufacture, sale, or export of strategic/critical technology and military items. ICE, through PSA, seeks to establish and foster relationships whereby companies and individuals can report suspicious contacts or attempts to violate U.S. export laws.

Another goal of PSA is to einsure a “level playing field” by investigating and prosecuting individuals and companies who knowingly violate U.S. export laws. Companies that establish and support aggressive export compliance programs should not be penalized by losing business to companies that are willing to “cut corners” and put America in jeopardy by exporting controlled commodities and technology to hostile countries and organizations.

How You Can Help

Protecting infrastructure, businesses, technology, and human life is the responsibility of every American. The government can’t do it alone, and therefore relies heavily on the public to report illegal and suspicious activity. If you would like to report illegal export activity or suspicious contacts you can call ICE at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423). You can remain anonymous.

If you would like more information or would like to have an ICE agent conduct a PSA visit at your company please call the PSA Program Manager at ICE Headquarters at (202) 732-3763.

National Export Enforcement Coordination Network (NEECN)

Adversaries continue to acquire U.S. technology through legal and illegal means, presenting a security threat to the United States and its allies. U.S.-controlled technologies are highly sought after by countries of concern and include U.S. Munitions List (USML) items and dual-use critical technologies, such as WMD components. The acquisition of these significant technologies and components by adversaries jeopardizes the security of the U.S. and its allies.

NEECN, spearheaded by ICE’s Offices of Investigations and Intelligence, leads coordination amongst DHS components and ICE to address challenges inherent with dismantling transnational procurement networks. NEECN integrates homeland security, law enforcement, intelligence, and foreign officials into coordinated operations designed to identify, investigate, interdict, and share information regarding threats associated with the illegal export of munitions and critical technology. The highest priority of the NEECN is to counter the proliferation of U.S.-origin WMD components and technology.

Operation “Armas Cruzadas”

Armas Cruzadas poster (PDF | 554 KB)

The smuggling of illegal weapons from the United States into Mexico is a threat to the overall safety and security of both countries. Weapons smuggled into Mexico often end up in the hands of the drug cartels or other smuggling organizations where they can be employed against law enforcement officers and citizens in either country. These firearms continue to fuel violence along the Southwest border and in the interior of Mexico.

To combat the illicit smuggling of weapons from the United States into Mexico ICE initiated Operation Armas Cruzadas. As part of this initiative, agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Government of Mexico will partner in unprecedented bi-lateral interdiction, investigation and intelligence-sharing activities to identify, disrupt, and dismantle trans-border criminal networks that smuggle weapons from the United States into Mexico.

As the lead law enforcement agency for Operation Armas Cruzadas, ICE leverages multiple resources including more than 30 years of experience in criminal export investigations and the broadest authorities of any U.S. government agency in the areas of illegal export of munitions, small arms, and dual-use technology, including sanctions violations.  In addition to these authorities, ICE has primary jurisdiction over investigations relating to the cross-border smuggling of firearms and other weapons out of the United States.