VZCZCXYZ0014
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHME #2462/01 2312105
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADA152EB MSI5507-695)
R 192105Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7968
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/HQ USNORTHCOM
RUEAHLA/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS MEXICO 002462 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KCRM SNAR MX
SUBJECT: CBP HELPS TRANSFORM MEXICAN CUSTOMS 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary.  The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
Agency is a natural partner with Mexican Customs (Aduanas). 
CBP plays an integral role in transforming Aduanas from a 
revenue collection agency to a law enforcement entity capable 
of preventing contraband from flowing across our common 
border, tackling immigration and trade issues at its southern 
border, and providing front-line border defense.  End Summary 
 
Transformation Did Not Begin with Merida 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Relations between CBP and Aduanas strengthened in 
the aftermath of 9/11 with the development of the U.S. Mexico 
Smart Border Accord (2002).  The need for greater border 
security placed increasing pressure upon trade and travel 
infrastructure along the southwest border.  In June 2005 the 
governments of Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. implemented the 
Security Prosperity Partnership (SPP).  Under the auspices of 
the SPP, Aduanas and CBP collaborated on programs to 
strengthen security while facilitating the movement of people 
and goods.  By 2007, many of the key SPP deliverables were 
either implemented or underway. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) In moving beyond the SPP framework, CBP and Aduanas 
implemented the Bilateral Strategic Plan (BSP) in August 
¶2007.  Through the BSP, Mexico's Aduanas, CBP, and U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) established working 
groups dedicated to strengthening law enforcement and 
enhancing security, while improving  trade partnerships, 
promoting border efficiencies, and professionalizing border 
law enforcement agencies.  Merida Initiative (MI) funding has 
complemented this initiative and has provided the resources 
to accelerate Aduanas's transformation into a capable law 
enforcement partner.  Merida funds provides support to vet 
Aduanas agents (using the same criteria applied to other 
Mexican federal police forces), to purchase canine and 
non-intrusive inspection equipment, and to share technical 
advice and best practices so that Aduanas can be more closely 
aligned with CBP. 
 
 
More Than Money and Equipment 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  CBP and Aduanas coordinate efforts to share 
information and data, the life blood of effective joint 
enforcement efforts.  Under the BSP, CBP and Aduanas 
coordinate inbound and outbound enforcement operations to 
stop the flow of illegal arms and currency across the border. 
 Two successful pilot operations in Nogales and Eagle Pass 
provided the necessary momentum to extend the plan to other 
ports of entry before the end of FY2009.  Additionally, 
Aduanas just hired 1400 new and better trained agents and has 
asked CBP to provide technical support, basic training, and 
credibility assessment assistance.  These activities are in 
line with the BSP and supported with MI funding. (see Septel) 
 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  The Southern Border Initiative provides further 
impetus for cross-border coordination with Aduanas.  Through 
the initiative, two CBP teams are already coordinating with 
their Aduanas counterparts to assess immigration and commerce 
issues at Mexico's southern border.  The teams will present a 
report to the GOM by early fall. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Aduanas is also developing the Mexican Targeting 
Center modeled after the CBP National Targeting Center-Cargo 
Facility. CBP and Aduanas coordinate information and 
resources to target suspected high-risk shipments destined to 
Mexico and in some case ultimately destined to the U.S. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  In support of the development of Aduanas targeting 
capabilities, CBP and Aduanas developed the Mexican 
Fellowship program under which two Aduanas agents are 
assigned to the CBP National Targeting Center-Cargo to 
collaborate with CBP in developing targeting rules, sharing 
data and information, and building support for coordination 
of targeting efforts for commerce arriving in Mexico. 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  Finally, CBP plans to share with Aduanas the 
Passenger Name Record (PNR) program, to complement the 
Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).  The PNR will 
increase the information and intelligence sharing and 
targeting capabilities on both sides of the border and be a 
significant move forward for real time information sharing. 
 
Long Road Ahead 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  In its evolution from revenue collection to law 
enforcement, Aduanas faces many challenges internally and 
from both sides of the border.  The GOM is in the process of 
transforming its Federal Police force and investigators. 
Aduanas is often considered an afterthought when it comes to 
funding or inclusion into GOM sponsored law enforcement 
programs and training. Currently, not all Aduanas agents 
carry firearms nor are they authorized to arrest suspects at 
the border.  Aduanas relies heavily on the Fiscales, which 
fall under Aduanas but maintain a high degree of operational 
autonomy.  Before the August 15 wholesale replacement of the 
Fiscales corps, corruption was rampant.  Aduanas is taking 
steps to train its new force to assume the duties of the 
Fiscales, as well as clean up internal corruption.  But 
progress will be slow, and difficulties, such as accrediting 
personnel on extended exchange visits to the U.S., hurt the 
effort to build capabilities and establish relationships 
between U.S. and GOM officials.   These issues only highlight 
a few barriers and only represent a cross-section of issues 
confronting Aduanas at this time. 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  Comment.  CBP and Aduanas share the common goal 
of strengthening an already established relationship.  CBP 
recognizes that the only way to improve security at the 
border is to develop Aduanas into a robust, professional law 
enforcement agency.  SPP, BSP, and MI programs each add to 
this effort, but funding for key initiatives must be 
sustained if Aduanas's transformation is to be completed. End 
Comment. 
 
 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American 
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / 
 
FEELEY