Problem Solvers Endorse Legislation to Crack Down on Drug Smuggling From Caribbean Into United States
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act, legislation to combat drug trafficking from the Caribbean region into the United States.
The Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act would require the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to issue a strategy to stem the flow of illegal drugs from the Caribbean to the United States, with a particular focus on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, to crack down on the financing schemes and money laundering operations that support the illicit narcotics trade, the bill would amend the definition of “supply reduction” to ensure the National Drug Control Strategy and its accompanying border strategies explicitly include activities to track and disrupt the financial networks of drug trafficking organizations.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced by Representatives Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-AL) and Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL) and has 22 additional cosponsors, 12 of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives González-Colón and Darren Soto (FL-09).
“Transnational criminal organizations continue to rely on smuggling routes in the Caribbean to transport illegal drugs to the United States, threatening communities across the nation. Nowhere is this risk more apparent than in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, home to 3.3 million Americans and where the illicit activities of drug traffickers in the region contribute to violent crime and high homicide rates. The islands are also used as transshipment points for further distribution of dangerous narcotics to the continental United States. To comprehensively tackle these threats and protect American lives, the federal government must have the necessary strategies in place to prioritize resources and operations to go after and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in the Caribbean. H.R. 920, the Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act, would help us achieve just that,” said Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-AL). “Specifically, my bipartisan bill would statutorily authorize the requirement for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy along with the biennial National Drug Control Strategy—just as Congress has previously codified the requirement to include a Southwest Border and a Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy. Additionally, to crack down on the financing schemes and money laundering operations that support the illicit narcotics trade, my legislation would amend underlying law to ensure the National Drug Control Strategy and its accompanying border strategies explicitly include activities to track and disrupt the financial networks of drug trafficking organizations. I thank my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus for endorsing H.R. 920 and look forward to continuing working with them to advance the bill.”
“I am pleased to cosponsor this critical bill that provides statutory authority for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to include a Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy in its National Drug Control Strategy. This initiative is essential for enhancing our efforts to prevent the illegal trafficking of drugs through the Caribbean region into the United States,” said Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09). “It underscores our commitment to combating drug trafficking and drug-related violent crime in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, ensuring safer communities and a stronger, more secure nation."
“The United States must have a comprehensive border counternarcotic strategy to crackdown on drug traffickers smuggling drugs into our country,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “As co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I’m proud our caucus is endorsing this bipartisan legislation that would require the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to produce a Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy, which it currently writes for the Southwest and Northern borders, to prevent drug trafficking to the United States from the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Across Jersey and our nation, drugs are tearing families and communities apart. While there isn’t a magic bullet to stop addiction and abuse, this legislation is an important tool to combat the growing tragedies taking place across our nation,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act, which will require the White House to develop a strategy for stopping drug trafficking in the Caribbean region.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
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