99-02 CUSTOMS NOTIFICATIONS & INVESTIGATION PROTOCAL

Unit Order:  99-02

Subject:       CUSTOMS NOTIFICATIONS & INVESTIGATION PROTOCAL

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Unit Order is to offer direction when a detective is investigating a case that leads to the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, or to the U. S. Customs Office of Inspectors and Investigations.

GUIDELINES

Any investigation by TRAP personnel that lead to the Ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach or any other facility under the control or supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Boarder Protection (B.C.B.P.) requires notification to the area lieutenant and both of the following agencies prior to any investigative efforts or action being taken by TRAP personnel.

Agent in Charge of U.S. Customs Inspectors:           U.S. Customs Office of Investigations

  (562) 366-5454                   (562) 624-3800

If TRAP personnel receive information involving the various ports within Los Angeles County after hours, notification must be made to U.S. Customs Nationwide at

1-800-XSECTOR(973-2867).  An operator will locate the “on-call” inspector within the concerned jurisdiction and make arrangements to have him/her contact the TRAP investigator.

The U.S. Customs Service and TRAP have made a commitment to work together in combating auto theft as it relates to the import and export of stolen vehicles.  U.S. Customs personnel have unique authority and resources to assist in the investigative process.

Customs Notifications and Investigations Protocol

A U.S. Customs supervisor will advise Customs inspectors to respond and assist with the movement, tracking, or opening of any container or facilities under their control.  A U.S. Customs agent will check to see if the TRAP investigation is related to any U.S. Customs or CHP FEAR on-going investigation and will provide investigative assistance to the case agent.

Note: Void of exigent circumstances, there should be no entry into or movement of containers or property under the custody and control of U.S. Customs without the proper notifications to the B.C.B.P. and the presence of the area lieutenant and either a Customs investigator or inspector on the scene.  Failure to comply with this notification and operational protocol could result in the loss of U.S. Customs’ cooperation, and jeopardize current and future investigations.  Such a failure would also constitute a violation of TRAP policies and procedures, and may result in the re-evaluation of the responsible individual’s continued participation with TRAP.

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MARTIN L. RODRIGUEZ, CAPTAIN

PROJECT DIRECTOR