Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Hosts Congressional Staff Briefing
HSI Miami hosted its inaugural congressional staff briefing November 15, 2019. Representatives from the offices of Congressman Brian Mast, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Congressman Ted Deutch, Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Senator Marco Rubio were in attendance. Speakers provided information on HSI’s mission, including child exploitation, human smuggling, narcotics enforcement and financial crime investigations. Additionally, the staffers received information on HSI Miami’s community relations efforts.
“Developing and strengthening relations with congressional staffers is critically important to promote greater understanding of HSI’s operations and investigations,” said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Anthony Salisbury. “The men and women of HSI Miami are dedicated to securing constituents and combating transitional crime in South Florida.”
Speakers included SAC Salisbury, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Kevin Tyrrell, Supervisory Special Agents Alvaro Flores, Rafael Quinquilla, and Mary Geha, Special Agent Michelle Brown and Community Relations Officer Vladimir Diaz.
HSI Miami Delivers Cybersecurity Training
On May 2, 2018, the Office of Congresswoman Lois Frankel and the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations partnered with HSI Miami to educate citizens about cybersecurity. Supervisory Special Agent Alvaro Flores gave an engaging presentation to more than 200 participants and highlighted the dangers of online environments, how to stay safe online, and how to report abuse and suspicious activity.
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Congressional Staffers Participate in HSI Miami’s Citizens Academy
HSI Miami launched its inaugural Citizens Academy from August 7th to September 16th, 2019. Attendees included members from throughout the community -- including staffers from the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Office of U.S. Congresswoman Donna Shalala, Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Office of U.S. Senator Rick Scott.
The academy is a national outreach effort to provide influential community members with the ability to interact directly with HSI agents and managers through participation in various field and classroom activities. The seven-week program provides hands-on and interactive activities to increase the understanding of HSI’s mission. The citizens were exposed to different types of investigative scenario to include human smuggling, financial crimes, narcotics enforcement, and cyber security. In addition, participants received training in use of force to include firearms familiarization and defensive tactics.
“The Citizens Academy is a powerful tool for HSI Miami to inform, engage and collaborate with South Floridians,” said SAC Anthony Salisbury. “Special thanks to the men and women of HSI Miami who generously volunteered their time to make the Citizens Academy a reality.”
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Tracing Illicit Proceeds...
El Dorado Task Force—South
In April 2018, HSI Miami launched El Dorado Task Force – South (EDTF-S). This task force has integrated multiple agencies into a single money laundering and related financial crimes task force. The task force includes over 100 employees all focused on a shared vision of disrupting and dismantling money laundering organizations. This new task force has been hailed by the Treasury Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture (TEOAF) as a model which could be duplicated nationwide as it has produced significant results in the short time it has been operational. Through September 2019, EDTF-S is credited with 134 arrests, 85 indictments, 33 convictions, 4 administrative arrests, and over $71.4 million in seizures. Since the start of this fiscal year, EDTF-S has had an $18 million seizure, a $7.4 million seizure and a $250 million seizure.
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HSI Miami Briefs the Office of Senator Marco Rubio
On October 4, 2019, HSI Miami briefed staffers from the Office of Senator Marco Rubio. The aim of the briefing was to inform staffers about HSI’s mission, operations, and priorities, and discuss HSI Miami’s financial crimes, child exploitation, narcotics enforcement, human trafficking, and community relations efforts. In addition, there was a positive discussion about current and emerging threats impacting South Florida. In attendance were Chief Counsel and Senior Advisor Samantha Roberts and Regional Director Lea Padron. Presenters included ASAC Rana Saoud, Supervisory Special Agents Mack Strong and Jay McNamara, and Community Relations Officer Vladimir Diaz.
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