Keeping Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel safe on the job is a crucial part of the Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) mission.  Nearly every day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents come across drones that may have been used to facilitate the movement of illicit drugs or people across the southern border.  These drones usually carry smuggled narcotics and often contain surveillance cameras; however, they could easily be modified to carry other threats or hazards.

So how do CBP agents handle such devices without harming themselves or others?  Current procedures for safe handling of electronics appear in training manuals, but these printed materials are bulky, inconvenient to carry, and often outdated.  The new S&T-funded Safe Handling and Collection of Electronics (SHAKE) app, however, allows CBP agents to access the necessary information on their government-furnished mobile phones or tablets while in the field.

S&T worked closely with CBP's Air and Marine Operations (AMO) to deliver this unique solution, as AMO has spent several years developing procedures to safely and effectively handle air and maritime drone platforms.  S&T also partnered with other domestic and international law enforcement agencies that have subject matter expertise on the rogue use of drones.

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security ·  www.dhs.gov  · 202-282-8000