An Act To improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, and for other purposes.

Jan. 10, 2018

[H.R. 2142]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act.

6 USC 211 note.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the “International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act” or the “INTERDICT Act”.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:(1) Chemical screening device.—The term “chemical screening device” means an immunoassay, narcotics field test kit, infrared spectrophotometer, mass spectrometer, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, Raman spectrophotometer, or other scientific instrumentation able to collect data that can be interpreted to determine the presence of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances. (2) Commissioner.—The term “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (3) Express consignment operator or carrier.—The term “express consignment operator or carrier” has the meaning given that term in section 128.1 of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (or any similar successor regulation).

SEC. 3. INTERDICTION OF FENTANYL, OTHER SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS, AND OTHER NARCOTICS AND PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES.(a) Chemical Screening Devices.—The Commissioner shall—(1) increase the number of chemical screening devices available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers over the number of such devices that are available on the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) make such additional chemical screening devices available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers as the Commissioner determines are necessary to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, including such substances that are imported through the mail or by an express consignment operator or carrier. (b) Personnel to Interpret Data.—The Commissioner shall dedicate the appropriate number of U.S. Customs and Border 131 STAT. 2275 Protection personnel, including scientists, so that such personnel are available during all operational hours to interpret data collected by chemical screening devices.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commissioner $9,000,000 to ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has resources, including chemical screening devices, personnel, and scientists, available during all operational hours to prevent, detect, and interdict the unlawful importation of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances.

Approved January 10, 2018.