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TOP STORY: New TV series takes viewers behind the scenes with HSI special agents at JFK

It's the stuff television shows are made of – special agents and officers apprehending and interrogating smugglers who try to sneak drugs and other contraband into the United States. In a new National Geographic television series, viewers go behind the scenes with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport as they uncover this criminal activity.

In this new television series, "To Catch a Smuggler," which premieres Monday, Oct. 8 at 9 p.m. EDT/PT on the National Geographic Channel, cameras stay rolling throughout the entire investigative process. Viewers go into the interview room with HSI's JFK Narcotics Smuggling Unit as they identify, search and question smugglers.

Ranked as one of the busiest hubs for international travel, JFK International Airport is a hot spot for criminal activity.

"Each year, HSI special agents and CBP officers seize kilos of cocaine, crystal meth, heroin and other illicit drugs, worth millions of dollars, that criminals try to smuggle through JFK," said Brian Hale, director of ICE's Office of Public Affairs.

While watching the show, viewers will see how criminals, intent on smuggling different types of contraband into the United States, use varying tactics in an effort to trip up the special agents and officers.

"'To Catch a Smuggler' highlights our agency's important mission to protect the American public and the dedicated work of our employees," Hale said.

HSI is the largest investigative body in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and has a vast mission. Its special agents investigate the smuggling of narcotics, humans, weapons and other types of illicit contraband, as well as immigration crime, human rights violations, financial crimes, cybercrime and export enforcement issues.

"We are very excited to be a part of this new series," Hale said. "It truly shows federal law enforcement partnerships in action."

To watch the show's trailer, click on the image in the video box in the upper right-hand corner.