Border security

CBP’s Use Of Predator B, Aerostats Need Better Operations Coordination, Audit Says

Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) use of Predator B unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for a variety of border security activities could benefit from documented coordination procedures in all operating locations, according to a lengthy new Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit report.

CBP uses its Predator B UAS to support a variety of mission, including supporting investigations in collaboration with other government agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to locate individuals illegally crossing the border.

GAO said it “found that CBP established various mechanisms to coordinate with other agencies for Predator B missions, but did not develop and document coordination procedures in two of its three operational centers. Without documented coordination procedures in all operating locations consistent with internal control standards, CBP does not have reasonable assurance that practices in all operating locations align with existing policies and procedures for joint operations with other federal and non-federal government agencies.”