BORDER SECURITY REPORT VOLUME 14 For the world’s border protection, management and security industry MAY / JUNE 2019 policy-makers and practitioners COVER STORY Brexit will push UK borders to the brink… unless we get smarter with data

SPECIAL REPORT AGENCY NEWS SHORT REPORT INDUSTRY NEWS

Border Threat Detection A global review of the South Asia: Case of Least Latest news, views and – The Path to Artificial latest news and challenges Connected Borders p.18 innovations from the Intelligence p.14 from border agencies and industry. p.30 agencies at the border. p.20 2 COMMENT

contacts Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Editorial: They say every cloud has a silver lining, when it comes to the movement of Tony Kingham but you would be hard pushed to goods, big questions remain. Such as; E: [email protected] convince anyone in the UK that the how does technology really help with Assistant Editor: Brexit cloud has one right now. Political the import and export of agricultural Neil Walker deadlock in parliament means we are goods and foodstuffs, which of course E: [email protected] no closer to a deal and the recent poor need inspections if regulations don’t showing by the established parties match. And no matter how much Design, Marketing & Production: in the European elections is likely to the UK spends on technology and Neil Walker result in a harder line from any future whatever systems it puts in place, to E: [email protected] Conservative Prime Minister, making a work effectively that technology and Subscriptions: hard Brexit much more likely. those systems have to be matched by Tony Kingham our trading partners in the other 27 Clearly a hard Brexit is in nobody’s E: [email protected] EU nations. There are benefits in being interest but in it lies just a possibility of able to utilise big data and AI, but not if a silver lining. Border Security Report is a bi-monthly you’re not receiving big data. electronic magazine and is the border But whatever version of Brexit there is, Hard or soft Brexit, what is certain, management industry magazine Britain will be forced to deliver on the is that there will be a cost to both delivering agency and industry news and seamless smart border of conservative developments, as well as more in-depth importers and exporters and ultimately Brexiteer dreams. features and analysis to over 20,000 to UK consumers and the UK economy. border agencies, agencies at the borders Now I’m not one of those that believes Certainly, in the short to medium term. and industry professionals, policymakers that we have the technology as Nobody knows if there will be long and practitioners, worldwide. Brexiteers claim, but I do believe that term economic benefits, but I have my necessity is the mother of invention doubts. and that given enough time and Only time will tell if the British public resources, there are enough existing think the obvious sovereignty benefits and emerging technologies, including are worth the price! AI, big data and biometrics, to make that aspiration a realistic goal, at least Later in this issue Matt Wiles of Leidos in part. UK looks at this issue in much more Copyright of KNM Media and Torch detail In fact, if any future UK government is Marketing. sensible, it could develop the blueprint Tony Kingham and technology for the border Editor management system of the future. Which expertise and technology is then exportable; so that’s the silver lining! But whilst I believe technology can deliver on READ THE FULL VERSION the movement of people, The digital version of Border Security Report contains all the additional articles and news listed in the contents page below. The full digital version is available for download at www.world-border-congress.com/BSR

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 CONTENTS 3 CONTENTS BORDER SECURITY REPORT 4 Blitz on reptile smuggling nets great ABERDEEN results

EDINBURGH GLASGOW The Australian arm of a three-week, international operation resulted in the seizure of 69 reptiles. BELFAST HULL 5 Brexit will push UK borders to the brink… MANCHESTER unless we get smarter with data EAST MIDLANDS

FELIXSTOWE Matt Wiles, Chief Executive at Leidos UK explores one of the CARDIFF LONDON biggest issues posed by Brexit and the impact it will have on the DOVER SOUTHAMPTON UK’s borders.. »»p.5 CALAIS 8 AGENCY REPORTS

Latest news and reports reports from key agencies INTERPOL, OSCE, EUROPOL and the IOM. 14 Border Threat Detection – The Path to Artificial Intelligence

Paul Hollingshead, Regional Director at Rapiscan Systems | AS&E reviews the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in scanning and automatic threat detection. 18 South Asia: Case of Least Connected »»p.29 »»p.14 Borders

Manoj Kumar, Second in Command, STC Chakur, India looks at how borders of South Asia have evolved. 20 AGENCY NEWS

A global review of the latest news, views, stories, challenges and issues from border agencies and agencies at the border. 26 World Border Security Congress

A look at the annual international border security gathering being hosted in Athens, Greece on March 31st-2nd April 2020.

»»p.20 30 industry news

Latest news, views and innovations from the industry.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 4 SHORT REPORT

Blitz on reptile smuggling nets great results

The Australian arm of a three-week, international groups to raise awareness and encourage reporting of operation targeting the illegal trade of reptiles, involving suspicious behaviour. surprise raids, compliance inspections and random airport Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water checks, resulted in the seizure of 69 reptiles. and Planning (DELWP) are committed to tackling the Australia and 13 other INTERPOL-member countries illegal wildlife trade head on. This involves swift action participated in Operation Blizzard, an INTERPOL- on identified illegal exports or proactive inspections coordinated campaign to increase enforcement and of licenced collections. As part of Operation Blizzard, surveillance activities around suspicious reptile trading. DELWP focused on inspections of commercial and private The operation ran from 22 April to 12 May. licence holders to ensure the legal trade in Victoria is monitored appropriately. Wildlife authorities executed seven search warrants against suspected illegal traders across Australia, and DELWP continue their investigations, working conducted 51 wildlife compliance inspections, resulting in collaboratively with other agencies, into five unsolved 17 detections of non-compliance. cases, where 12 live lizards were posted to China late last year. The suspects have been captured on CCTV, but to Operation Blizzard was coordinated by the Department date have not been identified. of the Environment and Energy’s Office of Compliance. The operation involved the Australian Border Force, the At Melbourne airport, Australian Border Force (ABF) Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, and officers arrested a 27-year-old Japanese national with environmental agencies from every state and territory in 17 shinglebacks and two blue-tongued lizards concealed Australia joining forces to combat wildlife trafficking at a in her checked-in luggage. The woman is suspected national level. of being involved in an international wildlife trafficking syndicate. The animals were seized and are currently The Department of the Environment and Energy’s Chief being cared for by DELWP. Compliance Officer, Monica Collins, said, “Operation Blizzard shows what can be achieved when our federal, ABF Superintendent Operations Andrew Dawson said state and territory agencies work collaboratively to disrupt the ABF will continue to work closely with our partner wildlife crime. Officers from all agencies are working agencies to share intelligence to identify and prevent tirelessly to thwart this illicit trade.” attempts to illegally export native Australian wildlife. In Tasmania, wildlife rangers from the Department of “This is an incredibly cruel trade and the ABF will continue Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment to do whatever we can to stop it,” said Superintendent executed two search warrants, seizing 25 live and dead Dawson. “Operation Blizzard was an excellent example animals, including a large carpet python. of what can be achieved when state and federal agencies come together to protect our native Australian wildlife.” The Queensland Police Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural) worked closely with Queensland Parks and In Western Australia, wildlife officers conducted thirteen Wildlife Service to jointly tackle reptile crime throughout inspections and attended a WA Police warrant. Officers the state. Queensland authorities executed five search from the Western Australia Parks and Wildlife Service warrants resulting in the seizure of 13 animals. seized two live pythons and a bearded dragon that was successfully returned to the wild. Officers issued two “This operation has sent a clear message that the infringement notices totalling $5000. Queensland Government has a zero tolerance approach to the illegal trade of wildlife. We take this type of crime The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources very seriously and we will continue to work in conjunction is investigating the detection of nine live turtles in an with federal authorities beyond the conclusion of this international mail parcel imported from Hong Kong. operation”, said a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service “Illegal reptile imports pose a significant biosecurity spokesperson. risk, as they could introduce pests and diseases that In South Australia, wildlife officers from the Department can impact on human and animal health, as well as for Environment and Water undertook inspections of the environment,” said Chief Environmental Biosecurity commercial licence holders. Australian Border Force Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Water officers in South Australia engaged with local community Resources Ian Thompson.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 SPECIAL REPORT 5

Brexit will push UK borders to the brink… unless we get smarter with data

One of the biggest issues posed government is already diverting by Matt Wiles, Chief Executive at by Brexit is the impact that it considerable funds towards Leidos UK will have on the UK’s borders. boosting manpower, infrastructure While the most well-documented and technology at our borders. concern is of course the lack of Rightly so - if we are to cope with consensus over the Irish backstop, the changes to come, we need to a more fundamental crisis looms revisit and revitalise the country’s once we actually leave the EU. border and customs infrastructure. The organisations controlling our However, arguably the most cost- borders, already stretched under effective way of doing this is to layers of legacy systems, are about adopt a new approach, with data- to be pushed to the brink as the sharing at its heart. amount of time it takes to process To give you an idea of the EU nationals and goods rises challenge we face, when Brexit exponentially. finally happens, a country that’s To meet this challenge, the spent four and a half decades

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 6 SPECIAL REPORT

processing times will increase to more than 45 minutes for all visitors in the future unless something is changed. Similar delays can be expected to slow down the movement of goods, which currently move freely across the border between the UK and the rest of the EU, but which will soon become goods imported from abroad, subject to all of the tariffs, customs declarations and paperwork that comes with this.

ABERDEEN Indeed, while border crossings are ‘only’ expected to triple after Brexit, customs declarations could

EDINBURGH jump five-fold, with the National GLASGOW Audit Office indicating that we could be dealing with as many as 260 million customs declarations a BELFAST HULL year, up from 55 million. This would undoubtedly swamp the current customs system, leading to delays MANCHESTER at crossing points, increased risk of non-compliance and queues of

EAST MIDLANDS lorries, for example, trying to cross onto the European continent at

FELIXSTOWE Dover and Folkestone in Kent.

CARDIFF LONDON The twin problems of a massive

DOVER jump in regulated visitors to the UK, SOUTHAMPTON and an even greater increase in

CALAIS regulated imports could be tackled in a number of ways. To handle the influx of passengers needing security checks, we could develop our immigration infrastructure by within the EU must figure out land, sea and air borders, and adding dozens more kiosks at how to handle a tripling in border will have to be processed just like ports and border crossings, along crossings. Currently, around two citizens from the rest of the world with new admission lines at airport thirds of the 36 million people who are today. This huge increase in the terminals. Alongside this, the UK visit UK shores every year come numbers requiring visa and security could greatly increase staffing of from EU countries. In an instant, checks will almost certainly slow its Border Force, providing new these 27 countries will effectively down the process for everyone. officers to operate all of the new become foreign nations, with Currently, UK Border Force officers admissions points. The problem their 440 million citizens turning strive to admit EU nationals into the with this strategy is that it requires into foreigners. All will become country in under 25 minutes and a huge outlay of money and a subject to customs and immigration for non-EU nationals, the target continued increase in annual spend requirements as they cross UK rises to 45 minutes. In all likelihood,

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on border controls. To eradicate these issues, manifest describing the cargo’s identification could be enhanced contents. But how do you know for An alternative, cheaper solution, with biometrics, using fingerprints, sure that what’s on the manifest however, would be to leverage facial recognition and retinal scans matches what’s in the box? The emerging technologies and to confirm a person’s identity. time and labour-intensive answer to increase the sharing of data among Indeed, rather than depend on just this question is to conduct regular agencies to fix problems before one or two forms of ID, multiple spot checks, opening up cargo they become unmanageable. The forms of biometrics can be layered containers and examining their current systems for immigration and to give increased confidence of contents by hand. But with customs customs control were built up over a person’s identity. Adopting this declarations growing five-fold post- nearly half a century and as such, approach would mean that with Brexit, that approach will no longer organisations were established with the touch of a finger, or a single be effective. Here too, technology their own siloed solutions, layering glance at a scanner, anyone could and data sharing can help to solve legacy software system upon legacy unquestionably prove their identity, the problem. software system, all of which were simplifying the immigration official’s designed to support the EU. While Already, the UK is using X-ray task. The more biometrics match, it might be ideal to wipe these away vision technology to reveal the the greater confidence Border and begin afresh, such a wholesale contents of cargo containers Force officials will have, making revamp isn’t practical. Instead, it without having to open them. Such the admission of people far more will be faster and more economical X-ray vision is useful, but where efficient. to bridge divides among legacy it really helps with speeding up systems by creating interfaces that Such technology has been met with customs clearance is when X-ray permit easy sharing of information, reticence in the past and viewed images are merged with data from so that data in one department can as overly intrusive, but as Caroline customs manifests to search for be easily accessed by another. This Flint MP recently pointed out during discrepancies. When a container’s approach would enable us to more a Leidos roundtable on this subject: X-ray reveals goods matching those efficiently handle the increase in “Think of all the data Facebook described in a cargo manifest, traffic and customs declarations has on millions of citizens – 39 HMRC officials can have greater without needing to make vast million in the UK alone. It collects confidence in the reliability of the investments in infrastructure and far more personal information than data contained on that manifest. manpower. the state would ever ask for, that is Conversely, in the case of far more intrusive and won’t help discrepancies, HMRC will know that The first element of this data- an ambulance to find your blood these are the containers they must focussed strategy lies in biometrics, type in a road accident. Why are devote most attention to, applying which I believe is the single most we more afraid of the government more hands-on verification. Once effective way of increasing the than poorly regulated global internet software is designed to fuse data efficiency with which Border Force giants?” The growing positive in this way, the need for physical officers can check travellers’ sentiment around biometrics has inspections of cargo upon arrival in identities. For decades, the been demonstrated by its recent port declines greatly. passport has been the traditional deployment at Heathrow airport method of establishing who a On a smaller scale, data from in what’s been described as ‘the person is at the border. If the photo customs declarations by individuals biggest single deployment of on the passport matches the face can be similarly fused with X-ray biometric technology in the world’. of the person carrying it, and the data on luggage to accelerate name in the passport matches the A similar philosophy can be applied travellers’ passage through airport name that the bearer gives, they are to expediting the clearance of customs. By permitting data to do probably who they say there are. goods at customs. When a shipper more ‘heavy lifting’ and sharing this The issue with this is that passports sends a shipment to the UK, intelligence across departments, can be stolen, altered or forged. packed within a cargo container, the the potential for cost saving across usual practice is to file a shipping organisations such as HMRC and

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 8 SPECIAL REPORT

Border Force is great. Border Force allow data feeds from multiple The better that we become at officers and HMRC must have easy sensors to be merged into one sharing the data that the UK is access to both this information, unified feed that will monitor a already creating, the more we can and to the analytics that make given area in a variety of ways, and reduce the need to spend more sense of it, to facilitate customs and permit tracking of a single object of and hire more to manage the surge immigration decisions regardless interest as it moves across multiple in regulated people and goods of which ‘silo’ the information was sensors. Such an approach has the crossing the border after Brexit. created in. potential to dramatically cut down There’s a staggering amount of staffing costs, freeing up resource work to be done in a short time, but With any conversation around that will be needed elsewhere post- the task is neither insurmountable, increased automation, a common Brexit. One single staffer could nor should it come at a concern is how such increased monitor such a unified feed or, proportionately greater expense to automation could affect the reducing manpower requirements the UK taxpayer. On the contrary, prospects of workers – in this even further, the process could it is a chance to do things better. case, the 10,000 people currently be largely automated. With AI and As John Vine, former Independent employed as border agents, as well predictive modelling, feeds can Chief Inspector of Borders and as many others working elsewhere be monitored automatically, with a Immigration put it: “Brexit is a in the customs and immigration human brought into the loop only great opportunity to look at an sector. Arguably, far from the when something happens to set off overarching whole government plan dramatic fears often expressed an alert indicating a need for closer to border control.” about ‘job-killing’ technologies – examination. the mainstreaming of automation By taking full advantage of would allow for border staff to What all these solutions have biometrics, in non-intrusive methods be deployed on more rewarding in common is that they propose for examining persons and cargo to tasks, which make better use of harnessing tools which the UK and most crucially, in data sharing investigatory skills. This could even already has at its disposal and data among government agencies, it is have beneficial knock-on effects on already produced for the most part, possible to enhance the security crime reduction. to apply them in tandem creating a of border crossings, accelerate whole that’s greater than the sum of processing time, and deal with the Another important aspect of border its parts. new influx of traffic – and all at a control must be securing the border reasonable cost. itself. Along the border and at points Biometric fingerprints, retinal scans where goods and people cross it, and facial recognition records the UK already possesses multiple can enhance accuracy of the layers of sensors for security, from photographic and printed data CCTV and motion detectors to contained in a passport to better satellite, aerial surveillance and confirm the identity of the bearer drone coverage. Monitoring data - just as cargo manifests can be feeds from each of these sensors compared to X-ray images of cargo individually, however, requires containers to improve confidence vast amounts of manpower. In a about what is inside containers. scenario that we are understaffed, Likewise, sharing data from multiple certain data feeds could be left sensor feeds allows technology unmonitored, creating dangerous to work as a force multiplier, not gaps in coverage. just cutting down the number of employees needed for monitoring, A way of improving this system is but actually enhancing the quality of through artificial intelligence and data by creating a more complete predictive modelling. This would picture.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 SHORT REPORT 9

ICE Homeland Security Investigations returned looted Greek artifacts to right- ful owner from a Munich-based, online coin dealer with previous violations for selling suspicious antiquities. This shipment contained five coins.According Sotiriou’s analysis of data collected by the Customs and Border Protection Laboratory in San Francisco, the coins were determined to be authentic Ancient Greek artifacts. In September 2016, Keller interviewed the buyer of the intercepted package. During this interview, the buyer informed Keller that he made a purchase from the same seller a few months earlier for five other coins. Subsequently, the previously purchased coins were also evaluated and found to be Greek artifacts. “The seller never provided any documentation showing Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Deputy Special the coins were acquired and sold legally,” Keller said. “The Agent in Charge Jerry Templet repatriated 10 Greek coins buyer cooperated with our investigation and ultimately to the Government of Greece, Tuesday, during a reception surrendered all 10 coins to HSI to be forfeited and at the San Francisco Greek Consulate. repatriated to the Government of Greece.” “Homeland Security Investigations is the ‘investigative arm’ Also an archeologist in Athens, Sotiriou reported that all for the Department of Homeland Security, and we work 10 coins are estimated to be dated as early as 600 BCE and closely with our international law enforcement partners to were minted in various locations throughout the Aegean combat the illegal trafficking of cultural artifacts.” Islands. The 10 coins were allegedly smuggled out of various According to Greek Cultural Heritage Law, artifacts in the Aegean islands such as the Island of Samos. The island ground within Greece are the property of the Government of Samos is not covered by modern structures and has of Greece and are not allowed to be removed for reasons a lot of open, unprotected fields. These unexcavated other than Archaeological study. The lack of provenance archaeological sites are subject to the illegal use of metal documents and the low price of the coins were facts that detectors by collectors who remove artifacts, such as coins, supported the assessment that the coins were smuggled for unlawful sale and profit. out of Greece. “Today, we have [present some of] our good friends from In July 2011, The U.S. and Greece entered in to a Bilateral Homeland Security Investigations of San Francisco, who Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with closely worked with their counterparts in Athens for the Greece to restrict the importation of carious cultural last two year, to make possible the patriation of 10 Ancient property from the Upper Paleolithic Period (approximately Greek coins,” said San Francisco Consul General of Greece 2,000 B.C) through the 15th century A.D. This treaty, in San Francisco, Antonios Sgouropoulos. along with the U.S. “Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act” and Customs Laws, are the Sgouropoulos hosted this reception to welcome Haris authorities used by Special Agent Keller to conduct this Lalacos, the Ambassador of Greece to the United States, and other similar investigations. during his first official visit to the Bay Area. On May 10, 2019, the Office of International Trade- In late August 2016, HSI detained a FedEx package with Regulations & Rulings issued a decision to transfer the the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at forfeited coins to HSI for the purpose of repatriation to the the FedEx facility in Memphis, TN. The shipment originated Government of Greece.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 10 EUROPOL REPORT

Action Week Against Human Trafficking: 323 Victims Identified, 46 Arrested 23 EU Member States, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, as well as violations of the labour legislation, use of forged supported by Europol, conducted an extensive operation documents and other offenses. targeting trafficking in human beings for the purpose of This extensive and targeted mobilization of resources labour exploitation. This coordinated action is part of the involved the checking of more than 50.000 individuals, EMPACT operational action plan on trafficking in human over 17.000 vehicles, as well as the visit of 5000 business beings for 2019. premises and other locations. The action week resulted Experts from law enforcement agencies, labour in the arrest of 46 suspects and the identification of 90 inspectorates, immigration services, tax authorities, social individuals suspected of human trafficking. A further 227 inspections services and other competent authorities persons were detained or arrested for other offenses, joined forces to identify and investigate the labour including illegal immigration and forgery of documents. exploitation of vulnerable workers. The action targeted In total, 323 potential victims of trafficking were identified. different business sectors, such as transportation, This intense operational activity has led to the launch of agriculture, construction, food processing, catering 100 new investigations, aiming at the identification of and care provision. Participating countries adopted a other suspects and victims linked to human trafficking multidisciplinary approach at national level that resulted in cases across the EU. the identification of cases of trafficking in human beings,

Multi-Million Euro Cryptocurrency Laundering Service Taken Down Luxembourg. Bestmixer.io was one of the three largest mixing services for cryptocurrencies and offered services for mixing the cryptocurrencies bitcoins, bitcoin cash and litecoins. The service started in May 2018 and achieved a turnover of at least $200 million (approx. 27,000 bitcoins) in a year’s time and guaranteed that the customers would remain anonymous. A cryptocurrency tumbler or cryptocurrency mixing service Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), is a service offered to mix potentially identifiable or ‘tainted’ in close cooperation with Europol and the authorities in cryptocurrency funds with others, so as to obscure the trail Luxembourg, clamped down on one of the world’s leading back to the fund’s original source. cryptocurrency mixing service Bestmixer.io. The investigation so far into this case has shown that Initiated back in June 2018 by the FIOD with the support many of the mixed cryptocurrencies on Bestmixer.io had of the internet security company McAfee, this investigation a criminal origin or destination. In these cases, the mixer resulted in the seizure of six servers in the Netherlands and was probably used to conceal and launder criminal flows of money..

Task Force Dismantles Prolific Crime Group Behind €680m Operation A highly professional and dangerous international organised Estonian Central Criminal Police under the Police and Border crime group was dismantled last week after a complex Guard Board and the Spanish Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional. investigation carried out in the framework of a Joint Operational Task Force, established at Europol, between the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, the British HM Revenue and Customs, the Polish Police Central Bureau of Investigation, the

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 INTERPOL REPORT 11

Drug trafficking and terrorism focus of INTERPOL European Regional Conference

means FTFs are now likely to scatter around the globe, to other conflict zones, their countries of origin, or to carry out attacks such as the Sri Lanka bombings. Ensuring frontline officers have access to information contained in INTERPOL’s global databases, including details of more than 50,000 FTFs and 86.2 million lost and stolen travel documents, is key for enhancing national and regional security. Opening the 47th INTERPOL European Regional Conference, Poland’s Undersecretary of State Renata Szczęch said, “With criminal networks often the early adopters of technological solutions, we need to do our best to stay one step ahead, Increased drug flows into Europe and the threat of returning and INTERPOL has a key role to play in this regard. foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) are two key security concerns “The need to further strengthen our cooperation persists being addressed at an INTERPOL conference for the region. and keeping this in mind, we commit ourselves to making The liberation of all Daesh-held population areas in Syria another step on the way to a more secure Europe,” said Undersecretary Szczęch. Kenya first African country to connect to the International Child Sexual Exploitation database

Kenya has become the first African country to connect to victims of child sexual abuse worldwide. INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) Officers from INTERPOL’s Crimes Against Children unit worked database, bringing the total number of connected countries with the Kenyan Police Service’s Child Online Cyber Centre on to 60. an operation targeting online child sexual exploitation in the ICSE is a powerful victim identification tool, which helps greater Nairobi area. Three suspected abusers were identified, specialized investigators analyse and compare child sexual and one child was removed from harm. A number of further abuse images. So far, it has led to the identification of 19,481 investigations are ongoing. Tackling South American organized crime

The three-day meeting in the Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay tri-border area concluded with police chiefs endorsing a number of conclusions aimed at improving regional police performance, particularly in the areas of corruption, terrorism, drug and firearms trafficking and the increased use of INTERPOL databases.

South American Police leaders have concluded an INTERPOL summit with a call to boost the region’s collective response to transnational organized crime and terrorism.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 12 OSCE REPORT

Criminal justice practitioners explore how to effectively counter cyber- crime and cyber-enabled crime operation with the 2019 Slovak OSCE Chairmanship and the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. The panelists highlighted the achievements, challenges and lessons learned from implementing the two-year project in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. They also discussed broader topics related to criminal justice responses to the growing role of digital technologies in conducting or facilitating criminal activities, key elements of effective capacity building in this field and future trends such as More than 140 criminal justice practitioners and the development of artificial intelligence. representatives of the OSCE participating States, OSCE Partners for Co-operation and international organizations The effective retention of digital evidence, adapting explored how to effectively counter cybercrime and legislative frameworks to match the latest technological cyber-enabled crime at a conference in Vienna organized innovations, and reducing the knowledge gap among by the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE many criminal justice practitioners in this field were some Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department, in co- of the key issues raised.

Bosnia and Herzegovina hosts sub-regional training on role of information and com- munication technologies in international security

and improve the resilience of national ICT systems. It will also be an opportunity to exchange information and experience in the application of practical measures for enhancing regional cyber/ICT security. A particular focus will be placed on the role of the OSCE cyber/ICT confidence-building measures (CBMs), which were jointly agreed upon and adopted by the OSCE participating States to improve security in cyberspace and prevent unnecessary inter-state tensions stemming from the use of ICTs. These CBMs offer concrete tools A two-day training course on the role of information and mechanisms to reduce the risks of misperceptions, and communication technologies (ICT) in the context of misunderstandings and conflict stemming from the use of regional and international security, which gathered some ICTs in inter-state relations.. 40 participants from seven countries of South-Eastern Europe started today in Sarajevo. The training course is jointly organized by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Mission to BiH. Over the course of two days, security experts will explore ways in which international cyber/ICT policy tools can be used to mitigate the impact of major cyber incidents

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 IOM REPORT 13

Human Trafficking Takes Centre Stage in Bangladesh

to improve enforcement through better inter-agency coordination, improved training of officers and harmonization of existing laws. The plan, developed with technical support from the IOM, was presented to local officials and counter trafficking specialists at a conference in Cox’s Bazar this week. It follows legislation passed in 2012 to counter human trafficking in this South Asian country of 160 million. IOM has a multi-pronged approach based on prevention, protection and prosecution of counter human trafficking that includes supporting the government’s efforts Bangladesh is boosting efforts to combat human for stronger legislation and enforcement and victim trafficking with a 2018-2022 national plan of action assistance. Improving Migrants’ Access to Justice: IOM Trains Brazilian Judges on International Migration Law

Brazil and the International Migration Law (IML) Unit in Geneva. The aim of this and similar IOM tutorials are to increase judges’ technical capacity in applying relevant migration legal standards, thereby enhancing migrants’ access to rights. Special attention is paid to women and vulnerable migrants in Brazil. IOM courses are organized annually to bring diplomats and practitioners together to discuss legal aspects of migration and governance and the latest trends in migration law. International legal experts present on human rights law, refugee law, labour law, transnational The IOM completed a four-day course on International criminal law and the crimes of smuggling and trafficking. Migration Law held for a delegation of federal judges from Legal issues related to migration detention, internal the Brazilian judiciary. displacement and environmental migration, also are covered. This is the result of active collaboration between IOM Using Data to Inform Migration Management in Central Asia

Reliable and harmonized data are needed to tackle some workers, and border management. of Central Asia’s key migration challenges and should be included in the future regional agenda on migration, according to government officials attending a regional consultative forum. Key regional challenges discussed at the forum include providing healthcare services to migrants and refugees, brain drain due to emigration of youth and high-qualified

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 14 SPECIAL REPORT

Border Threat Detection – The Path to Artificial Intelligence

By Paul Hollingshead, Regional As global trade has become more by the rapidly evolving nature of Director at Rapiscan Systems | AS&E interconnected, the movement the threat landscape—use of new of people and goods between technology is critical to ensure countries has greatly increased and agencies are ahead of, or at least detecting threats to national security keeping up with, their adversaries’ at the border has become more adaptability. It can also reflect complex. As a result, every border political and budgetary pressures— security agency’s modernization the perennial push for agencies to agenda addresses the use of do more with less. technological innovation to improve As part of this innovation mix, their ability to protect society. The the use of artificial intelligence drive to modernize is partly driven (AI) in scanning and automatic

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 SPECIAL REPORT 15

threat detection is a hot topic. The possibility of automating some decisions on what constitutes a threat could improve both the effectiveness and governance of border checks, reducing human error and opportunities for corruption. Regardless of where an agency is on its path to technological advancement, it must have the right foundations to achieve the intended benefits of AI. There are five key areas to address: 1 – Set clear operational goals for the technology Around the world, border security agencies share the same overarching mission to protect their society from external threats. However, each are impacted by The new Eagle® P60 ZBx from Rapiscan Systems | AS&E is a drive- political, financial and physical through, multi-technology cargo and vehicle inspection system that influences unique to that country. provides four X-ray images in a single scan, giving border agencies more They are also faced with adaptable data at the platform level. adversaries, who are constantly developing methods to exploit agencies require hardware devices their weaknesses. An agency’s 3 - Standardize the data that are effective at detecting awareness of its specific situation The greatest problem facing specified threats. The complexity and its understanding of, and agencies when it comes to lies in understanding how a specific sensitivity to, an ever-changing managing data collected at the threat could be detected under threat environment are paramount. borders is the volume and variety. varying conditions of concealment Only with a clear understanding of While data-gathering capabilities and whether a detection platform its adversaries, environment and have improved, the implementation requires other devices to support it. mission, can an agency identify of technology that effectively A layered, multi-modal solution is and apply the right technologies to processes and analyzes the often the most effective approach. achieve their goals. To that end, a resultant volume for actionable clear operational direction must be These days, security devices intelligence is also critical. If the foundation of a successful path like cargo scanners are powerful the data sets are disorganized, towards AI. data capture platforms; the pinpointing a threat becomes specific hardware and associated far more challenging, and the 2 – Capture all the data obtained technology all impact the volume, operational picture is unclear. To from the detection platforms variety and value of the data effectively analyze data and identify The selection and acquisition obtained from a target. As the patterns, anomalies or relationships, of detection systems will be industry continues to improve the data from all devices must be driven by threat factors, physical hardware and software, combining standardized on one platform. This environments, stakeholder issues technologies at the platform requires a vendor-agnostic solution (such as desired throughput rates) level, the resulting data are also that can enable a holistic, common and budgets. As a starting point, improving. operational picture.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 16 SPECIAL REPORT

is a type of artificial intelligence that uses mathematical models based on data to make decisions. With better data, machine learning models can make better decisions, predicting likely outcomes, detecting previously unseen patterns. While such models may eventually transform certain data-led processes, from a cargo or vehicle scanning perspective, the scope and variety of data are simply too broad to be able to fully hand over the image adjudication process to software today. The range of potential threats, concealment methods, angles and orientations of hidden contraband, etc., is currently too varied and complex for even the most advanced threat The Eagle P60 ZBx provides a high-energy transmission image with detection algorithms currently material discrimination to help the image analyst with determining the available. As a result, automatic contents of cargo and vehicles. The Z Backscatter® X-ray images detection tools may still set off highlight organic threats to aid operators with the detection of drugs, many false alarms, making border currency and explosives. This complementary information gives the checks slower and less efficient operator a more comprehensive view of the contents of the vehicle. as a result. Alternatively, operators may become over-reliant on software tools that are intended to 4 – Automate security workflows provide forecasts and quantify indicate a threat and ignore logic and leverage data analytics risks. To gain effective, actionable or underutilize their image analysis insight, operational leaders can training when the software fails to With a common operational picture, use their experience to decide alert. an agency can decide how a series which workflows to automate and of processes are sequenced from So, while some software available which processes to measure. The initiation to completion. Threat today can augment image combination of their field expertise detection activities can be mapped analysis by flagging anomalies for with the right software solution will as to when and how they happen consideration or doing repetitive result in process improvements, in relation to each other to supply low-value analysis, the onus increased efficiency and greater actionable intelligence for threat remains on humans as the ultimate border security. interdiction. decision-makers. To ensure image 5 – Understand the limits of analysts are operationally effective, Centralized data can enable agencies must employ an ongoing detailed investigations. An agency Artificial Intelligence and keep investing in humans threat-specific training program can use the harmonized data and maintain sound operational to explore how well or poorly a Artificial intelligence is any governance. specific process is performing; technology that enables a investigate anomalies or confirm computer to demonstrate human- A work in progress relationships; and identify trends, like intelligence. Machine learning The future may well belong

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 SHORT REPORT 17

to AI-driven automated threat security solution becomes platforms that can effectively collect detection, but for now, both industry available, agencies must focus and standardize the data for more and border security agencies are on the foundational elements of effective analysis and automated still at the beginning of the journey. operational excellence: set clear workflows. Finally, agencies must There is a lot of work to be done operational goals relevant to continue to invest in the talents of before agencies can leverage their specific threat environment; the men and women who are on the AI to significantly improve the improve operational effectiveness front lines to protect our borders. performance of their non-intrusive by acquiring detection systems inspection technology. Regardless that enrich the veracity and variety of when or if a fully-automated of data; and introduce software

Europe Migration Data Portal Will Challenge Fake News With Facts

Development heard that the portal highlights past and recent trends on migration in Europe, existing data sources, and strengths and weaknesses of those data. Part of IOM’s Global Migration Data Portal, launched in 2017, the new Europe section is designed to help policy makers, national statistics officers, journalists and the general public understand migration data. By making the evidence about migration issues accessible in one place and easy to understand, it contributes to a more informed public debate. There are 78 million international migrants in Europe, more than one third of the global total. “Who are they? What age are they? What gender? What routes are they taking? Why are they on the move?” asked Ms Szabados. A focus on improved data will enable IOM to combat fake “The more we know about migration the more we can news and hate speech with solid facts and evidence, a assist our member states, and help make migration UN meeting in Geneva heard. voluntary, safe and rewarding for all implicated.” A dedicated Europe section on the IOM Global Migration The new Europe section was authored by the Knowledge Data Analysis Centre website has just been launched, Centre on Migration and Demography, a European and it was presented today at a side event at the United Commission initiative to provide scientific evidence for Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regional EU policymaking in migration and demography related Forum on Sustainable Development. fields. Regional Director Argentina Szabados stressed the “Migration is a cross-cutting issue, relevant to all of the importance of the portal, noting that “in times of fake Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” concluded Ms news, a rise of populism, spread of negative stereotypes Szabados. “In fact, eleven of the Goals contain targets and and violent hate crime, there is greater need than ever for indicators that are relevant to migration or mobility. Our genuine facts and reliable figures to give a true picture of principle to ‘leave no one behind’ most definitely includes what migration is and how it shapes our world.” migrants, and we need impeccable data to be able to serve their needs and the needs of our member states.” An audience of politicians, diplomats and UN officials attending the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 18 SHORT REPORT

South Asia: Case of Least Connected Borders

By Manoj Kumar, Second in Command, Most of the borders in South Asia process of cartography of borders STC Chakur, India were evolved by colonial powers the people of different nationalities namely British, French and Russia. were divided as per the diplomatic The borders of South Asia evolved understanding of colonial powers during the great period of European and were based on revenue maps. empire building for Asia in 19th and South Asian nations like India, early 20th century. With the end of Myanmar, Pakistan and Afghanistan colonial era the period of interest state boundaries are product of of colonial powers also waned this process only. This artificial but the newly evolved countries demarcation left open for future boundaries were exclusively statesmen claims and counter delineated by colonial masters, in claims on the areas inhabited by

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 SHORT REPORT 19

people of common nationalities and in case ASEAN. may do anything but South Asia which were not properly marked on as a region has been severely The dismal state of affairs of such the ground. Due to these reasons hampered and it will remain inter-regional connectivity and trade every country in this region became backward till we don’t integrate is due to lack of institutional and highly possessive and protective for and till we don’t push for greater physical infrastructure. The over its territories. trade, greater investments and securitization of border for reason of greater travel and tourism within South Asia is now the fastest support to terrorist and separatists the region,”. Regional integration is growing region in the world and groups especially in context of India also crucial to the development of has registered a rapid expansion and Pakistan where the border has South Asia. The only way to reach in trade since the introduction of become more restrictive in nature prosperity is for countries to form liberalization policies in the early and after the recent terror attacks a union. If South Asia mirrored the 1990s. However, intra-regional in Kashmir the withdrawal of Most European Union, the opportunities trade has lagged behind the Favored Nation (MFN) status for growth within each nation is region’s deepening engagement to Pakistan by India has further endless. This is a challenge, yet in global trade, with the effects of alienated these two biggest South if international organizations, geopolitics and a legacy of mistrust Asian neighbors. South Asia being governments and the citizens of leaving a mark on integration part of ‘Golden Crescent’ which is South Asia work tirelessly, they efforts. It is currently one of the notorious for drug smuggling starts will surely reach their Sustainable least integrated regions in the world from Afghanistan and it goes up to Development Goals (SDG). in terms of trade, infrastructure, Myanmar; has been responsible for water, and energy cooperation. countries adopting more and more For regional development of South Some progress has been made restrictive methods to counter the Asia the border connectivity issue through regional arrangements such smuggling of drugs among these needs to be addressed without as the South Asian Association for nations. compromising on security. The goal Regional Cooperation (SAARC), of connectivity with security can The South Asian borders in addition the agreement on the South Asian be achieved through technology to installing physical barriers like Free Trade Area (SAFTA), and and adapting the best practices in ‘border fence’ are not equipped with several bilateral agreements, but border management from Europe modern surveillance equipments trade connectivity is below what is and US where technology is so that identification of ‘friend necessary to unlock the region’s helping border guarding forces for or foe’ is made simple and intra potential for prosperity is reflected managing access control of citizens border movement becomes less in comparative regional trade and goods which is achieved cumbersome. Even the concerned growth over the last quarter-century. through close cooperation between border guarding forces do not have SAARC’s share of intra-regional government and corporate sector. biometric data exchange system trade remains at just 5 percent The South Asian with having some which now prevalent in European of total trade of the region today, fastest growing economies can and other well connected nations. having grown from approximately even work better in making lives All these factors combined are three percent in 1990. Other Asian of its citizen better with better affecting the day to day life of trade blocs have performed better managed borders with support of common man living in these areas over the same period; ASEAN’s technology. but also leading to economic intra-regional trade share has deprivation and poverty to border grown from approximately 17 to 25 areas. percent, and ASEAN +3 has grown from 38 to 45 percent. Overall, Speaking at SAARC Development intra-regional trade is less than Fund 2018 Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh 2 percent of the SAARC’s GDP, Kant said, “Politicians may say compared to more than 20 percent anything and politics of the region

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 20 AGENCY NEWS

Agency News and Updates

ndocumented migrants security officials said. imaging system inspection, CBP officers apprehended at discovered 27 packages containing a total Slovenia-CroatiaU border of 48 pounds of alleged heroin within the vehicle. The narcotics have an estimated BP Officers Seize street value of $1,109,000. Heroin Valued More ThanC $1 Million hild Smuggler Arrested at Hidalgo International BridgeC

Slovenian authorities have stopped dozens of undocumented migrants who were trying to cross the border from Croatia, police said. Most of the foreigners were Afghan citizens. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Slovenian police stopped 74 migrants (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) who were attempting to cross the south- officers at the Laredo Port of Entry U.S. Customs and Border Protection, eastern border with Croatia in the area intercepted a significant narcotic load with Office of Field Operations (OFO) of Ilirska Bistrica, according to a police an estimated street value of more than $1 at the Hidalgo International Bridge statement. A reported 10 people were million in one enforcement action. arrested a woman from McAllen, apprehended in Ribnica, on the south- Texas in connection with a failed child eastern side, police said. Security The seizure occurred at the Juarez- smuggling attempt involving a five- officials said most of the foreigners were Lincoln International Bridge when a CBP year-old boy. Afghan nationals, followed by Pakistanis, officer referred a 2006 Ford pickup driven Algerians, Egyptians, Iraqis and a Libyan by a 29-year-old Mexican male citizen who A 26-year-old female United States citizen. One of the migrants applied for resides in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, citizen arrived at the Hidalgo-Reynosa international protection while the others Mexico for a secondary examination. International Bridge pedestrian will be handed over to Croatian authorities, During a canine and non-intrusive walkway with a boy she claimed

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 AGENCY NEWS 21

as her U.S. citizen child. The adult Republic. The decree “further intensifies the woman presented a State of Texas climate of hostility and xenophobia issued identification card for herself The acting director, Army Public against migrants,” said the letter, which along with a U.S. birth certificate for Relations, Col Sagir Musa, in a was signed by several U.N. human both her and the young boy. A CBP statement said the meeting was held rights rapporteurs. officer referred them to secondary for in Dakana in Niger Republic, where further inspection and it was there that Nigerian delegates extensively and It was issued as a ship carrying more officers discovered that there was no fruitfully brainstormed with their than 40 migrants from the German relationship between the two travelers. Nigerein counterparts on the unfolding aid group Sea-Watch remained off Officers further determined that the security challenges in Sokoto State the island of Lampedusa waiting for a document presented for the child was and environs. He recalled that port to disembark its passengers. Sea- not his and the he was in fact a citizen security threats along the international Watch said it had flouted Italy’s ban of Mexico without valid documents to boundary between Niger Republic and entered Italian territorial waters legally enter or reside in the United and Nigeria, necessitated the on Saturday for humanitarian reasons. States. establishment of a joint military border patrol in September 2018. CBP OFO arrested the woman and presented her before a U.S. anadian border guards federal magistrate for alleged seize 4,000 kgs of violation of U.S. immigration law.. N tells Italy proposed smuggledC cheese, issue decree violates $30,000 fine migrants’U rights igeria, Nigerien Security Forces Close Ties On BorderN Securit

Border guards in Ontario issued a The Italian interior ministry vowed $30,000 fine after seizing nearly 4,000 to press ahead with a new decree kilograms in smuggled cheese. formalizing the closure of Italian ports to Nigerian Security Operatives and aid groups that rescue migrants, even In a release issued Monday, the their Nigerien counterparts deliberate after U.N. human rights investigators Canadian Border Security Agency modalities to further enhance and said it violated international law. said Haissam Azaar, 50, was caught promote joint military/security inter smuggling eight skids of undeclared border relations among the security Ministry officials said the security cheese on January 10. agencies of both countries. decree was “necessary and urgent” and was expected to be approved at Azaar was convicted of smuggling This took place when a Joint Security a Cabinet meeting. under the Customs Act and must pay Team from 8 Division Nigerian Army a $30,000 fine for 3,990 kilograms of (NA), comprising of representatives In a May 15 letter to Italy’s government undeclared cheese. from the NA, Nigerian Police, recently released, the U.N. High State Security Services, Nigerian Commissioner for Human Rights He must pay the entire fine within five Immigration Service, Nigerian urged Italy to withdraw the decree, years, with a minimum payment of Customs Service and Nigerian calling it “yet another political attempt $1,000 per year. Security and Civil Defence Corps to criminalize search and rescue visited their counterparts in Niger operations.”

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 22 AGENCY NEWS

olice seize over 20kg Fifty officers, 16 patrol cars and 1 A refugee travelling from Morocco was meth in border province thermo-vision van from 12 EU member found cramped into a car glove box YunnanP countries will deploy along the Albania- attempting to travel to Europe. Greece border. Police in southwest China’s Yunnan Shocking pictures emerged showing a Province detained two drug trafficking Similar agreements have been signed man in his twenties hiding behind the suspects and seized over 20.7kg of with North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia- car’s dashboard at the border in Beni- methamphetamine, local authorities Herzegovina and Montenegro. Enzar, Morocco. said. The car was stopped by border police Police in Changning County under whilst trying to enter Spain’s North Baoshan City received a tip-off that order guards prevent African enclave of Melilla. drug dealers planned to transport drugs 100,000 crimes on to Kunming, capital of Yunnan, for sale. Russia’sB borders in 2018 Spanish Guard officers said three A task force was set up to investigate. vehicles carrying stowaways were The Border Guard of Russia’s Federal stopped in the space of three hours and Police arrested a suspect in Zhenkang Security Service (FSB) prevented found a total of four Moroccan migrants County and seized 136 bags of nearly 100,000 crimes on the country’s hidden in four vehicles. methamphetamine from his vehicle. borders in 2018, FSB Border Guard Another suspect was caught at home Chief Vladimir Kulishov said in an on the same day, when 2 pieces and interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta. 5 bags of methamphetamine were omeland chief cuts deal seized. “I can say that the Border Guard has to stop historic flow been successful in protecting state ofH illegal immigrants from Yunnan is a major front in China’s war borders. In 2018, about 97,000 crimes Guatemala on drugs, as it borders the Golden were prevented on the border and in Triangle known for drug production border areas. More than 89,000 foreign Guatemala, which has lost over 1% and trafficking. and Russian nationals were detained of its population to the United States and subjected to administrative via illegal immigration since just punishment,” he said. September, has signed a deal with President Trump’s Homeland Security U’s Frontex deploys According to Kulishov, border guards chief to stop the surge. border guard teams in stopped more than 25,000 foreign AlbaniaE nationals holding invalid documents At the start of a series of meetings from entering Russia. In addition, over in Guatemala, acting Homeland Teams of the European Border and 6,100 persons on the wanted list were Security Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan Coast Guard Agency, or Frontex, are identified. “formalized” an agreement also aimed joining Albania’s police to patrol its at stopping human and drug trafficking land and sea borders for migrants and and snuff out the “push factors” that crime. draw illegal immigrants to the U.S. efugee found hidden European Union Migration in car glove box by In a statement, McAleenan said, Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos SpanishR border police “Through our continued collaboration and Frontex head Fabrice Leggeri and partnership, the U.S. and were in Tirana to launch “the first ever Guatemala are formalizing a number joint operation on the territory of a of initiatives to improve the lives and neighbouring non-EU country.” security of our respective citizens by combating human trafficking and the Avramopoulos said the agreement is “a smuggling of illegal goods, helping milestone in the EU co-operation with to limit ‘push’ factors that encourage the region.” dangerous irregular migration to the

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 AGENCY NEWS 23

U.S., perpetuating the ongoing crisis at or border.”

The administration has put a new focus on the so-called Northern Triangle of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras that are the biggest source of illegal immigrants trying to enter the U.S. They hope to help those nations curb migration. who entered the U.S. illegally. The Perth Magistrates Court heard the man bought the cigarettes at a duty Officials said Memorial Day was the free shop in Dubai on his way home busiest recent day of enforcement from Europe, in what was described order Patrol seizes $1 activity for El Paso Sector Border Patrol as an unsophisticated, but deliberate, million in cocaine after agents during the ongoing influx. The attempt to avoid paying duty of over vehicleB crashes through gate 2,200 apprehensions included two $6,200. large groups and many smaller ones.

They said the busy day began in the bootheel of New Mexico with a large earch warrants executed group of more than 200 migrants taken after more than $140 into custody at the Antelope Wells Port millionS worth of MDMA and of Entry in New Mexico around 2 a.m. cocaine intercepted from Spain A second group was one of the largest Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents in the El Paso sector thus far with over A joint-agency investigation has and Laredo Police Department seized 430 people, said officials. This group commenced after MDMA and cocaine more than a $1 million worth of crossed the border just west of Bowie worth more than $140 million was narcotics following a vehicle pursuit. High School at around 7 a.m. intercepted by law enforcement at the border. The incident occurred after agents By the end of the day, the El Paso observed possible narcotics being Sector agents had apprehended over Australian Border Force (ABF) officers loaded into a red sedan by the 2,200 undocumented aliens with 1,850 at the Sydney Container Examination riverbanks near the Mines Road area. of those being taken into custody in the Facility targeted a sea cargo container geographic area between Executive which had recently arrived from Spain Agents attempted to pull over the Boulevard and Midway Street in El after a BorderWatch referral. vehicle but it failed to yield and a pursuit Paso. ensued. The vehicle broke through a The container, which was declared to gate near a property by the Rio Grande contain shampoo, was taken to the River. ABF’s Sydney Container Examination igarette smuggling Facility for x-ray and officers noted costs Perth man close inconsistencies. toC $20,000 ore than 2,200 migrants The consignment was deconstructed apprehended in El A 32 year-old man who was caught and found to contain 258 boxes. 49 MPaso Border Patrol sector on by Australian Border Force (ABF) of the boxes were found to contain Memorial Day officers trying to smuggle 45 cartons of bags of a brown crystalline substance cigarettes through Perth International and blocks of a white powder, with Border Patrol agents were busy taking Airport has been ordered to pay fines presumptive testing returning a positive into custody more than 2,200 migrants and costs totalling almost $20,000. indicator for MDMA and cocaine.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 24 AMERIPOL NEWS

12,000 Illegal Foreign Cigarette Packs Seized packs as a result of a procedure carried out in El Bañero (Formosa).

Staff of the Nucleus Section dependent on the 5 “Pirana” Squadron, while conducting night patrols on Provincial Routes Nos. 23 and 9, observed approaching a VW Golf vehicle, whose driver ignored the signals of the uniformed men and made a rapid getaway.

Immediately, the gendarmes, with support of the Group “Subteniente Peran”, initiated a controlled follow-up by the Provincial Route Nº 9 and an intense chase. Gendarmería Nacional, a subsidiary of the Ministry of National Security, SEIZED 12,000 illegal foreign cigarette When stopping the vehicle, officials discovered inside a cargo of 12,000 illegal foreign cigarettes.

Criminal Group Dedicated to Kidnapping Broken Down the modality of deception.

Through registration and search procedures in the municipality of the school, the break up of this fearsome criminal group was achieved with the capture of 6 delinquents, who were dedicated to kidnapping their victims through the modality of deceit, where they quoted them to conduct business and subsequently disappeared, affecting especially the Farmers’ Guild.

In the development of the operation were seized 4 In the framework under the Shock Plan Phase III, the revolvers, 4 shotguns, 3 pistols, 1 muffler, 9 suppliers for GAULA and the Intelligence Section of the Police of pistol, 587 cartridges of different calibers, 1 automobile, Cundinamarca in coordination with the Attorney 20 cell phones, 14 Sim Card and 2 USB memories that General of the Nation, carried out the dismantling of ‘Los were used to carry out the abduction and also the Muñetones’ a gang dedicated to the kidnapping through extortion of its victims.

1,800,000 Pesos of Illegal Merchandise Seized The Argentine Naval Prefecture seized more than The procedure occurred at kilometer 3.5 of National 1,800,000 pesos in merchandise of illegal origin, in Route 117, when troops of the force mounted a vehicle the Corrientes locality of Paso de los Libres, within the control operation in order to find a bus that had left the framework of the Safe Terminals operation designed by local terminal bound for the City of Buenos Aires, and the Ministry of National Security by Patricia Bullrich. would be loaded with contraband merchandise.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 SHORT REPORT 25

Nearly 790 irregular migrants held across Turkey

province of Kirklareli, another source said. Moreover, the Turkish Coast Guard intercepted 21 irregular migrants in a rubber boat off the coast of northwestern Balikesir province. Some 100 irregular migrants were also held in northwestern Canakkale province while they were preparing to sail for Greece. Six people were also arrested for alleged human smuggling. In addition, the Turkish Coast Guard held 41 irregular migrants in a rubber boat off the coast of Aegean Mugla province. Some 31 irregular migrants were also held by the Turkish Coast Guard off the coast of Aegean Aydin province. The gendarmerie forces in Aegean province of A total of 787 irregular migrants were held across Turkey Izmir also held 30 irregular migrants. on Tuesday, security sources said. All the migrants were later referred to provincial migration In northwestern province of Edirne, which borders directorates. Turkey has been the main route for refugees Greece and Bulgaria, gendarmerie forces rounded up 550 trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011, the migrants, said a source on condition of anonymity due to beginning of the Syrian civil war. Some 268,000 irregular restrictions on speaking to the media. migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Separately, the gendarmerie forces held 14 irregular Interior Ministry. migrants, all of them Iraqi nationals, in northwestern

WorldBorderSecurity.net World Border Security Netw ork (WorldBorderSecurity.net), a global netw ork for agency officials at the bor ders.

The purpose of the netw ork is to encourage and facilitate inter-agency co-oper ation and communication. Members of the netw ork will be able to:

• communicate secur ely • view past presentations • share information • keep up-to-date with the latest technology de velopments • share documents • share training opportunities • share best practise • and more...

WorldBorderSecurity.net is open to all World Border Security Congr ess government agency delegates past and pr esent. Access is restricted to government and inter governmental personnel; border, customs, immigration agency officials and specialist law enforcement officers. Non-delegate agency officials will also be w elcome but by member invitation only.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019

WBSNet A5 Ad.indd 1 04/06/2019 11:16:37 26 CONGRESS NEWS

Border managements annual gathering event PREVIEW

The annual gathering of the Greece has been in the forefront of the international border management global migration crisis since it started and protection community will take in 2015. 2015/16 saw the escalation of place in the historic city of Athens, the global migration crisis, with mass Greece on March 31st to 2nd April movements of people fleeing the war 2020. zones of the Middle East as well as illegal economic immigration from Supported by the Ministry of Citizen Africa and elsewhere. Protection & KEMEA (Center for Security Studies under the Ministry of Whilst the so-called ISIS caliphate March 31st-2nd April 2020 Citizen Protection), the World Border has been largely destroyed, there is Athens, Greece Security Congress is delighted to be little sign of peace and security in the www.world-border-congress.com positioned in the heart of some of the Middle East, which means the flow most recent migration challenges. of refugees is not likely to slow down anytime soon.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 CONGRESS NEWS 27

CALL FOR PAPERS Abstract Submittal Deadline – 19th July 2019 Are you interested at speaking at the World Border Security Congress? The World Border Security Congress Advisory Committee are inviting abstracts for consideration for inclusion in the conference. If you are interested, you are invited to submit your abstract for consideration by the conference committee by submitting an abstract of approx 250-400 words. Your presentation should not be commercial in nature. Although the programme will consider all aspects for discussion, and you are encouraged to submit your abstract for review, particular topics for discussion and focus to be considered will be: – Latest threats from cross border cyber crime, returning foreign fighters, Porous borders between the terrorism infiltration, illegal migration Mediterranean and sub Saharan – Challenges in the trafficking of illicit goods, artefacts, narcotics, small arms Africa continue to provide routes for – Trafficking in Human Beings by transnational criminal gangs has refugees from conflicts there, as well expanded not declined despite the billions that have been spent by national as economic migrants making their governments and institutions such as IOM, OSCE, INTERPOL way to what they suppose will be a better life in Europe. International – Is it possible to enhance the protection and management of extended land organised criminal gangs and human borders? What are the solutions? and drug trafficking groups continue – How can border agencies enhance border security and improve results, to adapt to exploit any weaknesses in whilst under increasing pressure of resources? the European external border. – Standardization of systems such as trusted traveller programs has not occurred despite lots and lots of talk at ICAO, IATA, etc. Greece faces some particularly tough – Identity management and biometric challenges challenges. Greece’s has 13,676 km – Developments and challenges in implenting API/PNR and future of coastline, with somewhere around opportunities 1,200 to 6,000 islands, depending on the minimum size to take into account. – How can border administrations better share information and data under The number of inhabited islands is increasing pressure from privacy laws? variously cited as between 166 and – How can small country border administrations ensure their effectiveness 227 leaving hundreds if not thousands against growing criminality and terrorist threats? of islands unobserved. – Maritime, port and coastal border security: How can we best guard the coast and major ports from international organised criminal activities, These Greek islands face over two including human trafficking and drug smuggling? hundred Turkish Islands in the Aegean – Illegal migrant numbers and movements have not declined over the last alone. 20 years they have actually increased despite a plethora of national and international agreements to manage the problem This makes the business of securing and policing the Greek coastline – The costs of delivering and streamlining safety and security at airports, extremely difficult with plenty of places border points and seaports for small craft and people to land and – Countering border threats as a result of the so called “war on terror” & “the hide unobserved. war on drugs”. To be considered for inclusion in this premier programm, submit your abstract But securing Europe’s south eastern online at www.world-border-congress.com/call-for-papers by 19th July. border is going to be an expensive

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 28 CONGRESS NEWS

smuggling of arms and illegal goods across North Africa also adds pressure on the governments and border security forces of the region.

The world is expected to see a continuation of the migration challenges for the border management and security community, as little sign of peace and security in the Middle East is apparent and porous borders in Africa continue to provide challenges.

International organised criminal gangs and human and drug trafficking groups exploit opportunities and increasingly use the internet and technology to enhance their activities.

Controlling and managing international borders in the 21st Century continues to challenge the border control and immigration agencies around the world. It is generally agreed that in a globalised world borders should be as open as possible, but threats continue to remain in ever evolving circumstances and situations.

Advancements in technology are assisting in the battle to maintain safe and secure international travel. The border security professional still remains the front line against these threats.

The World Border Security Congress is a high level 3 day event that will discuss and debate current and future policies, implementation issues and challenges as well as new and developing technologies that contribute towards safe and secure border and migration management.

Supported by the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Association of Airport and Seaport Police (EAASP), the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), National Security & Resilience Consortium, International Security Industry Organisation and International Association of CIP Professionals, demonstrating the World Border Security Congress remains the premier multi-jurisdictional global platform where ew ways through new challenges and treating those challenges as opportunities to do things better in the future.

Register your interest to attend the event at www.world-border- congress.com/registration. We look forward to welcoming you to Athens, Greece on March 31st-2nd April 2020.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 with technology from Rap scan Systems | AS&E.

Customs officers are on the front lines of securing ports of entry while preventing trade fraud and contraband smuggling.

We know Customs officers take pride in their mission. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the all-new Eagle® line of cargo and vehicle inspection systems—a new class of high-energy and multi-technology scanning systems to help Customs officials around the world uncover threats and contraband, speed up legitimate cargo clearance, and ensure proper duties are paid.

iscancargo.com/eagle 30 INDUSTRY NEWS

Eurotunnel rolls out facial How radar is supporting recognition tech effective border security The Eurotunnel is to become the first non-airport surveillance border crossing to deploy biometric technology at its terminal in anticipation of longer queuing times post- Some remote locations require large areas to be Brexit. Kicking off in April, facial recognition gates have protected, often with hundreds of miles of fence started being installed at select terminals, with a wider line, with protection requirements either side of the launch to follow. How will the technology be rolled border. out, and where does it fit in the wider preparations border applications. Eurotunnel is making in anticipation of Brexit?. “Predator Radar can track up to 40 targets simultaneously up to a range of 400m diameter, making it ideal to secure expansive border area environments,” explains 360 Vision’s Managing Director, Mark Rees. “Intelligent Time Share alarm handling also ensures that multi-object alarms can be handled proportionally or by priority. The Channel Tunnel is set to the border crossing process Using world-class radar For high security sites, become the world’s first rail for travellers with biometric technology, the stand-alone operators often require border crossing to take a leaf passports. Predator Radar scans 360 long-range detection out of the aviation industry’s degrees twice every second “Allowing a single police equipment that can detect playbook and introduce to detect and track objects, officer to check five a threat across greater e-gates with automatic facial with alarms overlaid passengers simultaneously distances, to enable recognition technology. on-screen. The camera’s simplifies, facilitates and interception well in advance advanced radar detection Paris-based transport accelerates border control,” of a border or fence line is unaffected by weather company Getlink, which said IN Groupe of its e-gate contravention. To meet this conditions, so detection manages the continental rail technology in promotional challenge, the use of visual and alarm functionality link through its subsidiary materials. imaging supported by radar continues even within Eurotunnel, has partnered The facial recognition roll has proved to be a valuable some of the most adverse on the project with French out at the Channel Tunnel security asset. digital identity management weather and climate is expected to kick off this 360 Vision’s award- firm IN Groupe (formerly conditions experienced in year. The first stage is set to winning Predator Radar is Impremerie Nationale), the world’s toughest border launch in early April for the a combined surveillance which is supplying its environments.” 51,000 coach passengers, camera & radar unit that has PARAFE e-gate systems for primarily tourists, who travel been deployed effectively the scheme. The e-gates through the tunnel each in many high-security are intended to accelerate year.

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 INDUSTRY NEWS 31

YVR’s Innovative Travel Vision-Box to supply Bahrain Solutions first to update International Airport with a border control solution state-of-the-art Automated to Canadian government Border Control platform biometric requirements Located in Muharraq, Bahrain International Airport (BIA) serves as an important hub in the Gulf region. Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) Innovative It is currently being transformed through the Airport Travel Solutions (ITS) announced that its industry- Modernisation Programme (AMP), one of the biggest leading self-service border control solution, national projects in the Kingdom’s history. BORDERXPRESS, is the first in Canada to be updated to meet the Government of Canada’s expanded biometric screening requirements, came into effect March 31, 2019.

“The Government of now require fingerprint Canada has stated that the verification for all collection of biometrics temporary resident visa, is a critical aspect of their study and work permit immigration program applicants (excluding and one that allows for U.S. nationals), as well as accuracy in establishing all permanent residence a traveller’s identity,” says applicants. The AMP will elevate BIA’s Bahrain Airport Company Steve Hankinson, Vice Biometrics, including infrastructure, facilities, (BAC) Chief Executive President, Innovation fingerprints and and services, transforming Officer, Mohamed Yousif and Planning, Vancouver photographs of the face, it into a world-class AlBinfalah, explains: Airport Authority. “Our significantly increase the boutique airport and a “One of the Airport BORDERXPRESS Primary security of the border key driver of national Modernisation Inspection Kiosks are by collecting physical economic growth. The Programme’s most the first to be adapted characteristics of an crowning jewel of the important objectives is to accommodate the individual which when AMP is the new Passenger to enhance the overall needs of the Canadian captured, can be used Terminal Building, which airport experience. The government while also to verify the identity will increase BIA’s capacity new Automated Border providing a border control or check against other to 14 million passengers Control platform will play solution that unites entities in the database. a year and offer users a key role in achieving this security, efficiency and Biometrics also help an improved travel goal by giving passengers innovation to transform airports by reducing experience. more control over their the passenger experience, passenger wait times, The new Passenger journeys and streamlining which is ultimately what improving passenger flow Terminal Building will be time-consuming drives our team forward.” and operational efficiency. equipped with advanced immigration and security Under the Government More than 70 countries biometric technology formalities. BAC is pleased of Canada’s biometric around the world use the to improve safety and to partner with Vision-Box expansion, Primary collection of biometrics as security while offering to bring this state-of-the- Inspection Kiosks at major part of their immigration passengers added art technology to BIA. I Canadian airports will programs. convenience. am confident that the

Border Security Report | May/June 2019 32 INDUSTRY NEWS

new platform will help will verify passengers’ to reinforce our status as identities, using biometrics a friendly and efficient including facial, iris, and airport.” fingerprint recognition. The Vision-Box-designed The new Passenger Automated Border Control Terminal Building will platform will streamline utilise a complete multi- border control monitoring modal biometric identity This contract is estimated rotary-wing, single- and and inspection for both management solution, at more than $1.4 billion multi-engine aircraft, Departures and Arrivals catering for different and consists of a base year including some modified at BIA. In addition, 22 passengers’ profiles. plus nine and a half option and equipped with new eGates will enable Vision-Box continues years. state-of-the-art, highly travellers to pass through to support these sophisticated sensor DI will provide aircraft st nd immigration checkpoints advancements in the maintenance and logistics equipment. March 31 -2 April 2020 faster and with less staff region, currently operating support services for CBP’s “We are thrilled to have ATHENS, GREECE involvement, while still more than 200 airport diverse fleet of fixed- this opportunity to serve maintaining a high level solutions in the Middle wing and rotary-wing Customs and Border www.world-border-congress.com of security. The eGates East. aircraft to ensure that Protection,” said Joe Ford, the Government has president of DynAviation. Building Trust and Co-operation through the numbers and types “DI is completely of properly configured focused on providing the Discussion and Dialogue DynCorp International aircraft available to meet highest quality aviation operational commitments. maintenance support CALL FOR PAPERS CBP’s aviation assets to the guardians of our Awarded Customs and Border Abstract Submittal Deadline - 21st July 2019 To discuss exhibiting and consists of approximately Nation’s borders.” sponsorship opportunities and Protection Contract 211 aircraft at multiple Greece lies at the crossroads of East and West, Europe and the Middle East. It lies directly opposite your involvement please contact: locations in the Western Libya so along with Italy is the primary destination for migrants coming from that conflict zone and is a On May 31, the Department of Homeland Security, short boat trip from Turkey, the other principal migrant route for Syrians fleeing there conflict there. Paul Gloc hemisphere. The fleet UK & Rest of Europe U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), awarded Greece has over sixteen thousand kilometres of coastline and six thousand islands, only two hundred E: [email protected] is a mix of military and March 31st-2nd April 2020 T: +44 (0) 7786 270 820 DynCorp International (DI) a contract to provide non-military, fixed- and and twenty-seven of which are inhabited. The islands alone have 7,500 km of coastline and are spread National Aviation Maintenance and Logistics Services. mainly through the Aegean and the Ionian Seas,A makinTHENS,g maritime GREECE security incredibly challenging. Jerome Merite www.world-border-congress.com France The sheer scale of the migrant crisis in late 2015 early 2016 had a devasting impact on Greek finances E: [email protected] and its principle industry, tourism. All this in the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2009. Despite T: +33 (0) 6 11 27 10 53 this, both Greece and Italy, largely left to handle the crisis on their own, managed the crisis with commendable determination and humanity. Paul McPherson Americas With their experience of being in the frontline of the migration crisis, Greece is the perfect place re- E: [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES convene for the next meeting of the World Border Security Congress. T: +1-240-463-1700 The World Border Security Congress is a high level 3 day event that will discuss and debate current and Jerome Merite Paul McPherson future policies, implementation issues and challenges as well as new and developing technologies that (France) (Americas) contribute towards safe and secure border and migration management. E: [email protected] E: [email protected] The World Border Security Congress Committee are inviting abstracts for consideration for inclusion in T: +33 (0) 6 11 27 10 53 T: +1-240-463-1700 the 2020 Congress Programme. If you are interested in making a presentation submit your abstract at www.world-border-congress.com/call-for-papers For Rest of World contact: We look forward to welcoming you to Athens, Greece on March 31st-2nd April 2020 for the next E: [email protected] gathering of border and migration management professionals. T: +44 (0) 1273 931 593 www.world-border-congress.com

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Border Security Report | May/June 2019

WBSC2020 CFP A4 Advert.indd 1 30/05/2019 10:48:39 March 31st-2nd April 2020 ATHENS, GREECE www.world-border-congress.com

Building Trust and Co-operation through Discussion and Dialogue CALL FOR PAPERS Abstract Submittal Deadline - 21st July 2019 To discuss exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities and Greece lies at the crossroads of East and West, Europe and the Middle East. It lies directly opposite your involvement please contact: Libya so along with Italy is the primary destination for migrants coming from that conflict zone and is a short boat trip from Turkey, the other principal migrant route for Syrians fleeing there conflict there. Paul Gloc UK & Rest of Europe Greece has over sixteen thousand kilometres of coastline and six thousand islands, only two hundred E: [email protected] st nd T: +44 (0) 7786 270 820 and twenty-seven of which are inhabited. The islandsMarch alon 31e h-2ave 7,500April km 2020 of coastline and are spread mainly through the Aegean and the Ionian Seas,A makinTHENS,g maritime GREECE security incredibly challenging. Jerome Merite www.world-border-congress.com France The sheer scale of the migrant crisis in late 2015 early 2016 had a devasting impact on Greek finances E: [email protected] and its principle industry, tourism. All this in the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2009. Despite T: +33 (0) 6 11 27 10 53 this, both Greece and Italy, largely left to handle the crisis on their own, managed the crisis with commendable determination and humanity. Paul McPherson Americas With their experience of being in the frontline of the migration crisis, Greece is the perfect place re- E: [email protected] convene for the next meeting of the World Border Security Congress. T: +1-240-463-1700 The World Border Security Congress is a high level 3 day event that will discuss and debate current and future policies, implementation issues and challenges as well as new and developing technologies that contribute towards safe and secure border and migration management. The World Border Security Congress Committee are inviting abstracts for consideration for inclusion in the 2020 Congress Programme. If you are interested in making a presentation submit your abstract at www.world-border-congress.com/call-for-papers We look forward to welcoming you to Athens, Greece on March 31st-2nd April 2020 for the next gathering of border and migration management professionals. www.world-border-congress.com

for the international border management and security industry

Supported by: Media Partners:

WBSC2020 CFP A4 Advert.indd 1 30/05/2019 10:48:39