Department of Homeland Security Fact Sheet: Combating Crime in Puerto Rico   [open pdf - 158KB]

"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with stakeholders to establish and maintain a unified and coordinated approach to support the execution of the investigation, intelligence collection, interdiction, and other law enforcement activities directed at: [1] Disrupting the flow of illegal weapons/drugs/money/migrants into Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a focus on Transnational Criminal Organizations [2] Disrupting of the illicit flow of drugs/weapons/money from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the contiguous United States and Europe [3] Targeting violent gang members for federal prosecution [4] Developing local law enforcement and social service capacity to: [a] Address current and emerging crime problems; [b] Improve island addiction treatment capabilities and enhance existing education programs, as part of a reconstitution effort, and; [c] Establish outreach programs, i.e. community based policing, to educate the general public and involve citizens in supporting law enforcement efforts. [d] Identify and prosecute members of violent local gangs, criminal organizations, and transnational organized crime elements."