New customs chief vows to fight crime, protect trade

New customs chief vows to fight crime, protect trade
By Aileen B. Flores / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/21/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


Ana B. Hinojosa, the new director of field operations for El Paso's U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector, was sworn in Friday during a ceremony at El Paso Community College Transmountain campus.

Ana B. Hinojosa will direct operations and enforcement at the 10 international crossings in West Texas and New Mexico, including El Paso, Fabens, Presidio, Santa Teresa and Columbus.

During the first CBP field operations change-of-command ceremony, family, friends, colleagues and local dignitaries gathered as Hinojosa recited the oath of office.

Hinojosa's mission as the new director, she said, is to fight terrorism, narcotrafficking and illegal immigration, and to protect the economic security by trade.

According to Hinojosa, this can be done by keeping the department motivated and maintaining good communication among the officers and other law enforcement agencies.

"This is not an easy task, especially now with the violence in the border," she said during the ceremony.

The violence in Juárez is a complex issue, and her department has to work closely with local and federal agencies to protect the public, she said.

Roberto Rodriguez Hernandez, Mexican consul in El Paso, said he expected the CBP and Mexican customs to work together to shorten the waits at the ports of entry and to increase tourism on both sides of the border.

Customs has the biggest responsibility to protect the country's ports of entry, said Susan T. Mitchell, director of field operations for the New York Customs Management Center.

Hinojosa will oversee customs officers, agriculture specialists, canine enforcement officers, import specialists and personnel working in many other areas.

Hinojosa replaces Luis Garcia, who retired in November last year to run for sheriff.

Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com;546-6362.

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