Detroit City Wire

Washington, D.C. – Representative Shri Thanedar, a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the United Against Transnational Criminal Organizations Act (UNITED Act), a crucial legislation aimed at bolstering our nation's defenses against the threat posed by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). He is joined by original co-sponsors Rep. Correa (CA-46), Rep. Magaziner (RI-02), Rep. Garcia (CA-42), Rep. Tokuda (HI-02), and Rep. Carter (LA-02).

The UNITED Act establishes a joint task force composed of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and other relevant departments to conduct operations specifically designed to neutralize TCOs and disrupt their illicit activities. Additionally, the legislation mandates the creation of an integrated border intelligence analytical cell, facilitating the rapid and accurate sharing of vital information concerning surges of migration, smuggling, and trafficking.

Transnational criminal organizations have proven challenging to defeat, engaging in a wide range of illegal activities, from drug trafficking and human smuggling to organized retail crime. The magnitude of their impact is staggering, with human smuggling alone accounting for a whopping $13 billion in estimated revenue last year. Furthermore, drug cartels continue to flood the United States with dangerous drugs, including the deadly fentanyl and illicit fentanyl-containing tablets. In the most recent drug bust in Detroit, enough Fentanyl was found to kill the entire state of Michigan.

Congressman Thanedar believes The UNITED Act will address these pressing challenges head-on and fortify our homeland security efforts by enabling us to combat TCOs with increased efficiency and precision. 

“Two months ago, the DEA confirmed the interception of a massive shipment of over 20 kilograms of fentanyl during a routine traffic stop in Detroit. Now, just think about this for a moment. Twenty kilograms is enough to kill 10 million people, that is almost the entire population of the state of Michigan,” said Congressman Thanedar. “The UNITED Act is a crucial step in fortifying our homeland security defenses and combating the illicit activities of these criminal syndicates.”

The UNITED Act will take significant strides in safeguarding our nation from the harmful effects of criminal enterprises run by these dangerous groups. By joining hands and working together, we can protect our citizens, disrupt these nefarious enterprises, and ensure a safer and more secure future for all Americans.

Original source can be found here.