Bill Summary
The Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act is a bill that aims to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 by requiring a strategy to prevent the illegal trafficking of drugs through the Caribbean region into the United States. This strategy will include specific roles and responsibilities of relevant agencies, identify necessary resources, and promote legitimate trade and travel. It also requires a strategy to prevent drug trafficking in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, as well as recommendations for additional assistance and authorities needed by law enforcement agencies.
Possible Impacts
1. The amendment requires the establishment of a Caribbean border counternarcotics strategy, which could potentially lead to increased border security measures and potential delays and checks for people traveling through the region. This could affect tourists, business travelers, and residents who may experience longer wait times and more thorough screenings at border crossings.
2. The strategy also aims to disrupt the financial networks of drug trafficking organizations, which could impact people involved in the illegal drug trade and their ability to move money and resources. This could also lead to increased law enforcement presence and operations, potentially affecting the safety and privacy of individuals living in or near areas where these organizations operate.
3. The bill also requires the strategy to consider the impact on legitimate trade and travel. This could lead to stricter regulations and monitoring of goods and individuals crossing the Caribbean border, potentially affecting the flow of goods and travel for businesses and individuals in the region.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 548 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 548
To amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act
of 1998 to require a Caribbean border counternarcotics strategy, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 12, 2025
Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Mr. Padilla) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act
of 1998 to require a Caribbean border counternarcotics strategy, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Caribbean Border Counternarcotics
Strategy Act''.
SEC. 2. CARIBBEAN BORDER COUNTERNARCOTICS STRATEGY ACT.
(a) Definitions.--Section 702 of the Office of National Drug
Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 (21 U.S.C. 1701) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (15) through (17) as
paragraphs (16) through (18), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
``(15) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and each
territory or possession of the United States.'';
(3) by amending paragraph (18), as redesignated--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as
subparagraphs (H) and (I), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the
following:
``(G) activities to map, track, dismantle, and
disrupt the financial networks of drug trafficking
organizations, transnational criminal organizations,
and money laundering organizations involved in the
manufacture and trafficking of drugs in the United
States and in foreign countries;''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(19) United states.--The term `United States', when used
in a geographical sense, means all of the States, the District
of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United
States, and any waters within the jurisdiction of the United
States.''.
(b) Requirement for Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy.--
Section 706(c)(3) of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
Reauthorization Act of 1998 (21 U.S.C. 1705(c)(3)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(D) Requirement for caribbean border
counternarcotics strategy.--
``(i) Purposes.--The Caribbean Border
Counternarcotics Strategy shall--
``(I) set forth the strategy of the
Federal Government for preventing the
illegal trafficking of drugs through
the Caribbean region into the United
States, including through ports of
entry, between ports of entry, and
across air and maritime approaches;
``(II) describe the specific roles
and responsibilities of each relevant
National Drug Control Program agency
for implementing such strategy;
``(III) identify the specific
resources required to enable the
relevant National Drug Control Program
agencies to implement such strategy;
and
``(IV) be designed to promote, and
not to hinder, legitimate trade and
travel.
``(ii) Specific content related to puerto
rico and the united states virgin islands.--The
Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy
shall include--
``(I) a strategy to prevent the
illegal trafficking of drugs to or
through Puerto Rico or the United
States Virgin Islands, including
measures to substantially reduce drug-
related violent crime on such islands;
and
``(II) recommendations for
additional assistance or authorities,
if any, needed by Federal, State, and
local law enforcement agencies relating
to the strategy, including an
evaluation of Federal technical and
financial assistance, infrastructure
capacity building, and interoperability
deficiencies.''.
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