Page images
PDF
EPUB

CUSTOMS AUTOMATED INTELLIGENCE NETWORK (CADPIN)

Customs enforcement work is steadily being enhanced by the expanded coverage of our automated intelligence network. This computer-based network will cover the entire Mexican border and 34 other key offices by the end of the current fiscal year. The system has been of tremendous help in our enforcement efforts. Not only is it an aid to inspectors by identifying suspect vehicles, but it is providing our agency service with a means for storing intelligence data with rapid response for the prompt identification of suspects. It is helping us to develop modern sophisticated investigative methods, and it has potential for even greater use in investigations of major narcotic smuggling rings, large-scale conspiracies, and major fraud cases. We have already in the short period of operation realized good results with 173 productive hits which produced nearly 4,000 pounds of marihuana, 5 pounds of heroin, and 250,000 dangerous drug pills. Seventy-seven automobiles were taken into custody, including several stolen cars for which the local police had established lookouts.

As a side benefit, we have also recently had three immigration referrals, 20 arrests, including one for kidnapping and one for burglary, one runaway girl returned to her parents, and one emergency message delivered to a person to see a doctor as he had been exposed to spinal meningitis.

I might add that we have taken great pains, even before the current Senate investigations on the subject of the right to privacy, to insure that these files are not opened up to any outside investigative services, to see that the files are purged continually, so that information does not reside in there too long, and that the volume of information in the files, themselves, be kept to a very bare minimum so that there is no risk of invasion of the privacy of any citizens whatsoever by utilizing this system.

I have given specific instructions to all of our personnel responsible for this operation to pay particular attention to these admonitions.

For fiscal year 1972, we are requesting funds to extend coverage to major airports and key crossings on the Candadian border. This project is vital to our enforcement and for it we are requesting $1,555 million. This amount will finance the necessary equipment and the 30 positions (26 average positions) which are needed to extend our coverage.

I would like to thank the committee at this point for their tremendous assistance in this program. This is probably the most quickly developed, highly sophisticated communications and data processing operation in the United States. I do not think there has ever been a situation or a circumstance in which an operation this sophisticated has started from scratch and gone into full operation in a year.

[blocks in formation]

3. Special projects—(a) Automated intelligence network:

Total positions__

Average positions__.
Amount__

*

6

5

$1,834, 000

The Customs Automated Data Processing Intelligence Network (CADPIN) is a "real time" intelligence system dedicated to Customs law enforcement activities. CADPIN through a large centralized data base provides varied analytic computing and reporting capabilities on a timely basis to all Customs law enforcement officers. The CADPIN system, including the proposed fiscal year 1972 additions, consists of a large scale Burroughs B-5500 computer coupled with approximately 240 remote terminals at selected Customs ports on the Mexican and Canadian borders, and international airports and other locations. The B-5500 computer consists of three main frames and central processing units which can be interchanged between the data communication processors, insuring maximum systems reliability as well as the ability to expand the system up to a maximum of 512 remote terminals. The software permits (1) immediate responses to queries, i.e., a determination whether or not a suspect name is in the data base, as well as (2) analytic capabilities, i.e., the automated analysis of individual characteristics and patterns to develop evidence of possible conspiracies.

In addition to the planned increases in the number of terminals and the volume of traffic per terminal the Law Enforcement Data Processing Division will be providing extensive services to Customs enforcement personnel in a batch process

ing mode. Included in these programs will be a conspiracy analysis system, a public telephone listing system, arrest and seizure statistics, a major violator dossier system, and an overall control system to interface these systems and their data bases to the CADPIN system itself. To provide additional services and to extend the systems to Customs stations along the Eastern Canadian border from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Calais, Maine, and to major airports and other selected locations we will require 2 additional computers, and 200 additional remote terminals. For the software extensions, computers, and remote terminal expansion and line costs, we are requesting 6 positions (5 average positions) and $1,834,000 in 1973. These costs are as follows:

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

62: VEH 2 DESC 68/BEECH/BARON/AC FT/WHITE/RED.

[blocks in formation]

ATTACHMENT 7

[blocks in formation]

41: REMARKS

08: ADDRESS 1
09: ADDRESS 2
18: CITIZENS HP
24: PASS PRT NR
11: DRVRS LIC
12: SOC SEC
44: MISC NO

14: WAR/TYP LOC

15: WARRNR
16: DTOFFENSE.
17: WARR DATE
19: ALIAS

THIS IS A TEST RECORD, THIS SCAN LINE CAN CONTAIN UP
TO TWO HUNDRED NINTEEN CHARACTERS.

6666 2ND ST APT 305/HOUSTON/TXUS.
8888 3RD AVE APT 222/HOUSTON /TXUS.
US.

US/A00000.

75/TXUS/00000000.
123-45-6789.
PN/(713)2265187.
FB/00000 0A.
OA/0 00 00 00 OA.

PN/(713) 2265 188.
PN/(713)2265189.

FEDERALBENCH/U SM/HOUSTON.

A00000.

07/04/72.

11/22/72.

TEST/ALIAS/ONE/.

TEST/ALIAS/TWO/.

TEST/ALIAS/THREE/.

TEST/ALIAS/FOUR/.

TEST/ALIAS/FIVE/.

TEST/ALIAS/SIX/.

[blocks in formation]

Subpart 2-Bureau of Customs Miscellaneous Files

Subcommittee Analysis

The Bureau of Customs reported four computerized Miscellaneous Files.

[blocks in formation]

(2) Agent's name, social security number.

B. Power of attorney master file (computer- (1) Provides a list of persons with authority to file 16,600. ized).

bonds with the Bureau of Customs.
(2) Identification data, bond limit, Customs dis-
trict.

C. Importer master (computerized).. (1) Provides names and addresses for bills and Not stated.

accounts receivable.

(2) Contains name (most are companies rather
individuals), address.

D. Combined Census/Bureau of Customs (1) Provides a record of information on importa- 160,000. files (computerized).

tions.

(2) Parts, origins, quantity, value, importer num-
ber.

II. Nature of Material Submitted.

The responses regarding Bureau of Customs Miscellaneous Files were generally candid and informative. No significant omissions were noted.

III. Comments.

A. Statutory Authority

No specific statutory authority was cited for any of the files. All are administratively established.

B. Subject Notification and Review

Individuals are either notified of inclusion in the files or are aware of inclusion through having submitted the data themselves. All four files may be updated by subject individuals.

C. Access by Other Agencies

The response indicates that no access is allowed outside agencies to the Case Inventory File or the Power of Attorney Master File. With regard to the Importer Master File, other agencies may obtain copies of the data bank printout on payment of $300. In addition, "[O]ther federal agencies making special requests to the Bureau of Customs may have access to the [Combined Census/Bureau of Customs]

file.'

D. Public Access

No public access is permitted to the Case Inventory File or the Combined Census/Bureau of Customs File.

With regard to the Power of Attorney Master File, "[U]pon payment of a fee, any surety company may receive from this data bank a listing of all agents authorized by that company to write Customs bonds.' Individuals may purchase printout copies of the Importer Master File for $300.

E. Security Precautions

Generally, security of the files is maintained by allowing access only by authorized individuals. Added security is provided for Customs Files by the retention of access authorizations and assuring that requests bear authorized signatures.

F. Sources of Information

Information on file is taken from forms or statements submitted by subject individuals.

IV. Evaluation

In general, the information contained in these files is not of a particularly harmful nature. However, the absence of specific security guidelines points to a lack of concern for assuring the confidentiality of records. There is an offhand, unelaborated statement in the Importer Master response that, "Import data by Social Security number could be interfaced with files of other government agencies, particularly law enforcement agencies." Use of the terms "could be" may mean that there was no practice of interfacing at the time of submission of the response, but that such a practice was contemplated for the future.

Agency Response

The following Bureau of Customs response to the subcommittee's October 15, 1971 request for replies to the subcommittee's standard questionnaire (see inside back cover), was prepared February 8, 1973. It was received May 8, 1973.

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

A. CASE INVENTORY FILE

Date of Response.-February 8, 1973

Class of File.-Federal Employees Only (Active and Inactive Agents)
File Control Number.-BC-02

File Medium.-Magnetic Tape and Disk
National Security Classification.-None

Question 1. Describe briefly the major categories of data on individuals presently maintained and stored under auspices of the Treasury Department and its agencies and the approximate number of subject individuals covered in each category.

Answer. The file contains a case number, social security number, agent's name, status of case, number of arrests, amount and type of seizure, and recovery amounts. This computerized file contains a list of all cases handled by Customs investigative personnel. The file contains a total of approximately 40,000 cases. Question 2. Under what statutory and administrative authority was each data bank established and for what purpose? Please supply copies of pertinent federal statutes, regulations and memoranda on which this authority is based and by which it is implemented.

Answer. (a) Statutory authority: This file was established under the broad statutory authority of the Bureau of Customs to prevent the smuggling of contraband into the United States, to effect seizures of contraband, and to arrest smugglers. Congress conferred this authority in sections 482, 1461, 1467, 1496, 1581, and 1582 of Title 19 of the United States Code.

(b) Administrative authority: This data bank was administratively authorized in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs operations.

Question 3. Are Treasury Department controls, guidelines, or advice required by or offered to state officials and private individuals who either administer or who utilize this data-gathering program? Please supply copies of pertinent rules or advisory documents as issued by federal and state agencies.

Answer. None. The file is utilized only by authorized Bureau employees.

« PreviousContinue »