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Amends the definitions section by redesignating existing paragraphs (15)–(17) as (16)–(18); inserting a new paragraph (15) that defines 'State' to include the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory or possession; modifying paragraph (18) (as redesignated) to redesignate subparagraphs (G) and (H) as (H) and (I) and to insert a new subparagraph (G) authorizing activities to map, track, dismantle, and disrupt financial networks of drug trafficking/transnational criminal/money laundering organizations; and adding a new paragraph (19) defining 'United States' in a geographical sense to include States, D.C., territories and possessions, and waters within U.S. jurisdiction.
Amends 21 U.S.C. 1705(c)(3) by adding a new subparagraph (D) establishing a 'Requirement for Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy' that (i) sets forth purposes for the strategy (including preventing illegal trafficking through the Caribbean into the U.S., describing roles/responsibilities of each relevant National Drug Control Program agency, identifying required resources, and promoting legitimate trade and travel) and (ii) requires specific content related to Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands (including a strategy to prevent trafficking to/through those islands, measures to substantially reduce drug-related violent crime there, and recommendations for additional assistance or authorities for Federal, State, and local law enforcement including evaluation of Federal technical/financial assistance, infrastructure capacity building, and interoperability deficiencies).
Requires the federal government to produce a Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy explaining how to stop illegal drugs transiting the Caribbean into the United States. The strategy must update and use revised ONDCP definitions, assign roles to relevant agencies, list needed resources, avoid impeding lawful trade and travel, and include specific measures and recommendations for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Redesignate paragraphs (15) through (17) of Section 702 of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 as paragraphs (16) through (18), respectively.
Insert a new paragraph (15) in Section 702 defining the term "State" to mean each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and each territory or possession of the United States.
Amend the paragraph now redesignated as (18) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (H) and (I), respectively.
Insert a new subparagraph (G) after subparagraph (F) in the list under paragraph (18) to add 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."
Add a new paragraph (19) defining "United States," when used in a geographical sense, to mean 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.
Primary effects will fall on federal agencies involved in border security and counternarcotics operations (e.g., DHS components, CBP, Coast Guard, DEA, State, and potentially DoD) because they must be assigned roles and may be expected to support implementation. The requirement to list resources creates potential downstream effects on budgeting and operational planning; agencies may need to request additional personnel, vessels, aircraft, technology, or funding to meet the strategy's goals. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are specifically targeted for territory-focused measures and recommendations, which could lead to increased federal operations, support, or collaboration in those territories; local governments and residents could see heightened law enforcement presence or new cooperative programs. Maritime carriers, shippers, and commercial travel operators could be affected by operational measures intended to interdict narcotics, although the law explicitly requires avoiding unnecessary disruption to legitimate trade and travel. Caribbean transit countries and regional law enforcement partners are likely to be engaged as part of cooperative interdiction and information-sharing efforts. Overall, the statute directs planning and coordination rather than immediate new spending or authorities, but its implementation may lead to resource requests and operational changes that affect multiple agencies and local stakeholders.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced February 12, 2025 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress February 12, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate