US, UK Unite to Block Illegal Vehicle Imports
CBP has partnered with the United Kingdom's National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and Border Force to block illegal vehicles imports. CBP, NaVCIS and the United Kingdom Border Force signed a Letter of Intent to exchange law enforcement information to prevent illegal vehicle trafficking, CBP said (here). “With this agreement, CBP and our partners in the United Kingdom set the stage to expand joint trade enforcement efforts into Europe,” said Brenda Smith, assistant commissioner for CBP’s Office of International Trade.
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This partnership between the U.S. and the U.K. propels the expansion of the joint trade enforcement campaign, Operation Atlantic, targeting illegal vehicle trafficking into Europe, it said. “Operation Atlantic has clearly demonstrated the significance and benefits of multi-lateral information exchanges in the enforcement of the laws of both our countries,” said Gordon Roberts, detective chief inspector with NaVCIS. This year, the agencies inspected an additional 500 imported vehicles, particularly Austin Minis and Land Rover Defenders, through Operation Atlantic, said the CBP in the press release. CBP's officers and import specialists can now intercept illegal vehicle imports more effectively due to cooperation with personnel at CBP’s Commercial Analysis and Targeting Center along with NaVCIS, CBP said.