Branch Chief Benjamin Joseph has been employed with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations at the San Ysidro Port of Entry since 2003. Throughout most his career, he has been attached to the vital enforcement’s units within the San Ysidro Port of Entry, to include: The Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) and Canine Enforcement Program. During his tenure with A-TCET, Branch Chief was widely regarded as one of the highest seizing officers for narcotics and human smuggling within his work unit. Branch Chief Joseph worked on A-TCET for two and half years prior to joining the Canine Enforcement Program in 2007.
Branch Chief Joseph effectively worked as a journeyman Canine Enforcement Officer for 8 years with 2 canine partners, K-9 “Cono” & K-9 “Zzyla.” CEO Joseph yielded hundreds of K-9 initiated seizures in addition to participating in seizures which resulted in 1,449 pounds of crystal methamphetamines, 906 pounds of cocaine, 322 pounds of heroin, 27,230 pounds of marijuana, and $425,00 in currency.
To further attribute to Branch Chief Joseph knowledge base on drug smuggling trends he attended the Desert Snow Training (Advance Passenger Vehicle Terrorist and Criminal Interdiction and Commercial Vehicle Terrorist and Criminal Interdiction). Joseph had located hidden compartments, and assisted fellow Officers, Agents, and Deputies with compartment training. Joseph has specialized training in non-intrusive inspection devices, such as K910 “Buster” Density Meter/Contraband Detector, Fiberscope, and Mobile Z Backscatter cargo and vehicle screening system (ZBV).
Branch Chief Joseph’s natural progression to management lead him to promote to a Supervisory Canine Enforcement Officer in 2015. He then attended and successfully graduated the physically and academically rigorous CBP Canine Instructor Course at Canine Center El Paso. Branch Chief Joseph has participated and continues to participate as a detail Instructor in multiple Concealed Human Narcotics Detector Canine Courses in Front Royal, Virginia and El Paso, Texas. A keynote regarding Branch Chief Joseph’s tenure as a Supervisory Canine Enforcement Officer was the fact that he specialized as a kennel master to over 60 canine teams. Branch Chief Joseph built and maintained important relationships with veterinarians within San Diego county with a special emphasis of the U.S. Army Veterinarian team based out of the Marine Corp. Recruit Depot in San Diego. The health, safety and welfare of every team has always been Branch Chief’s top priority.
In 2020, Branch Chief Joseph was promoted to be the San Diego Canine Program’s only exclusive CBP K-9 Branch Chief in the nation in addition to being the San Diego Field Office K-9 Field Advisor. Branch Chief Joseph currently oversees all logistical control of over 82 canine teams at six land border ports of entry, that span across 183 miles of border with Mexico, as well as an airport and seaport in the city of San Diego.
