Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) are built on the suffering of others, threatening our communities with drug trafficking, human smuggling, child exploitation, and other nefarious activities.

Staying ahead of TCOs is a never-ending challenge. As these illegal networks adopt advanced technologies to evade justice, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is leveraging innovative private sector solutions to empower Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officials with the tools they need to overcome and dismantle TCOs and defend those most at risk.

Disrupting the Fentanyl Supply

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DHS works relentlessly to disrupt the flow of fentanyl into the United States, gathering vast amounts of data in the process. S&T is transforming raw data into actionable intelligence by advancing analytics and decision-support tools that help law enforcement identify trafficking patterns, interdict illegal shipments, and protect our communities.

• Fentanyl Supply Chain Model: Data analytics tool that provides key insights to help investigators map and dismantle fentanyl networks.
• Advanced Opioid Trafficking Analytics to Aid Investigations: Novel software applications that help officials build stronger cases against high value targets.

Enhancing Detection Capabilities

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Rising numbers of travelers and goods passing through the United States each year present more opportunities for TCOs to transport drugs and contraband across our borders. S&T is working closely with industry to accelerate the deployment of new, non-invasive screening solutions that flag risks without impeding the operational tempo.

• Rapid Opioid Screening: Investing in novel technologies for detecting fentanyl vapor and particles.
• Multi-Energy Portals: Drive-through scanning systems that quickly process commercial trucks to detect smuggled goods or human trafficking.
• International Coordination: S&T is working with an international partner to help law enforcement track digital asset transactions, which have become prolific in transnational criminal activity.

Accelerating Investigations into Exploitation

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When every second counts, reducing the time needed to bring offenders to justice is essential. S&T is leveraging advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to fast-track investigative resources that quickly process vast datasets to help officials rescue victims of exploitation and apprehend perpetrators.

• StreamView: Processes and organizes livestream data to identify and locate high risk actors, demonstrate intent, and rescue child and adult victims of exploitation.
• SpeechView: AI-enabled tool that equips investigators with rapid detection, transcription, translation, and analysis of audio, video, and text—even content embedded within images.
• Horus: Video analytics software that identifies new activities within video footage, allowing investigators to efficiently pinpoint individual victims or perpetrators within vast datasets.

Securing Operations

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TCO tactics continue to grow in sophistication, presenting serious threats to the men and women working to stop them. S&T is delivering solutions that help protect officials from potential harm when working against adversaries in challenging environments.

• Kinetic Drone Mitigation: Protects officials and equipment against threats from illicit or “dark” drone activities.
• Countering Illegal Jamming: Identifies and mitigates wireless communications jamming tactics used by TCOs at the nation’s borders.