To Catch a Smuggler

Watch To Catch a Smuggler

  • TV-14
  • 2020
  • 15 Seasons
  • 6.9  (261)

To Catch a Smuggler is a gripping TV series produced by National Geographic that follows the daily activities of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers as they work to prevent illegal goods from entering the country at JFK International Airport in New York City, one of the busiest airports in the world.

Denise Toto, a veteran CBP officer with more than 25 years of experience, and Jim Finn, a former NYPD detective who became a CBP officer, lead the team of officers who are responsible for keeping the airport's borders safe. Every day, they have to deal with a wide range of threats, from drugs and contraband to guns, counterfeit products, and even wildlife smuggling.

The show provides an inside look at the daily operations of the CBP officers, who work tirelessly to ensure that nothing is overlooked at the airport. The officers have to be vigilant and maintain a high level of attention to detail as smugglers use a variety of tactics to try and evade detection.

To Catch a Smuggler shows how CBP officers use a wide range of equipment and technology to scan luggage and cargo, such as X-ray machines, radiation detectors, and drug-sniffing dogs. They also use their instincts, training, and experience to identify suspicious behavior and intercept illegal goods.

The show is filled with suspenseful moments as the officers race against the clock to intercept smugglers before they can escape the airport. They often have to work in coordination with law enforcement agencies in other countries to track down the origin of illegal goods and the people behind smuggling operations.

One particularly interesting aspect of the show is its focus on the human element of smuggling. Viewers get to see how smugglers try to conceal illegal goods using a range of imaginative methods, such as hiding drugs in everyday objects or sewing them into clothing. The show also highlights the social and economic factors that drive people to get involved in smuggling, such as poverty, greed, and desperation.

To Catch a Smuggler is a must-watch for anyone interested in law enforcement, border security, or the fight against organized crime. The show provides a fascinating insight into the daily struggles of CBP officers as they try to keep America's borders safe.

The show's production quality is excellent, with high-definition footage and dramatic reenactments of smuggling attempts that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The production team also does an excellent job of explaining the technology and techniques used by CBP officers in a way that is easy to understand for laypeople.

Overall, To Catch a Smuggler is an entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking show that provides a unique perspective on the world of smuggling and law enforcement. Denise Toto, Jim Finn, and the rest of the CBP team are true heroes who risk their lives every day to keep America safe, and this show is a testament to their bravery and dedication.

To Catch a Smuggler is a series that ran for 15 seasons (107 episodes) between January 1, 2020 and on National Geographic

To Catch a Smuggler
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Seasons
Silica Meth
12. Silica Meth
January 21, 2026
Meth disguised as silica gel, a beauty technician with a fake return flight, and some bear-ly contained excitement — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Two Million Dollar Meth Haul
11. Two Million Dollar Meth Haul
January 21, 2026
Christmas gifts filled with drugs at Customs, Immigration interviews a passenger claiming to have millions but zero proof, and souvenirs from Samoa are under the spotlight at Biosecurity — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Bees and Beyonets
10. Bees and Beyonets
January 14, 2026
Immigration talks to a passenger with a dubious benefactor, treasured heirlooms are under fire at Customs and Biosecurity inspects an assortment of winged specimens — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Egg-stra Ingredients
9. Egg-stra Ingredients
January 14, 2026
Customs discovers drugs hidden in a footstool, a few passengers come through Biosecurity with some egg-stra ingredients, and is it a love story or just a cover story at Immigration? All in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Meth Pints
8. Meth Pints
January 7, 2026
Two photos, one traveler and a lot of discrepancies draw scrutiny from Immigration. Customs unpacks a beer- making kit hopped up with liquid meth, and Biosecurity inspects some mystery critters — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Clean Minds
7. Clean Minds
January 7, 2026
Immigration interviews two travelers with a checkered past, who say they want a clean start; Customs uncovers pills in pillows; and supersized souvenirs come under review at Biosecurity — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Million Dollar Hat Trick
6. Million Dollar Hat Trick
December 31, 2025
One passenger's backpack turns out to be a million-dollar hat trick, a chatty traveler has a passion for biosecurity, and Immigration has concerns about a passenger with prior convictions — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Cocaine Straws
5. Cocaine Straws
December 31, 2025
Immigration interviews a traveler on a last-minute ticket, Biosecurity bugs out, and a passenger at Customs pays a price for his glittering bling — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Mountain of MDMA
4. Mountain of MDMA
December 24, 2025
An unusual itinerary leads to a drug haul at Customs; a passenger says she's on a trip with her boss, but the story doesn't add up; and a mammoth discovery causes a flutter at Biosecurity — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Inked
3. Inked
December 24, 2025
A passenger arrives at Customs with an unusual tourist wardrobe, Immigration talks to a tattoo artist trying to work on a tourist visa, and Biosecurity catches some creepy crawly stowaways — all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Snake Wine
2. Snake Wine
December 17, 2025
Border security teams are put to the test. Customs officers uncover a major drug bust when a passenger arrives with two suitcases full of illicit substances. Immigration officers conduct interviews with two friends whose stories don't add up — especially when they're found carrying stacks of cash and claiming fake jobs. Meanwhile, Biosecurity officers are confronted with a slippery souvenir that raises serious concerns. Whether it's narcotics, undeclared money or biological threats, every case shows the expertise needed to counter increasingly creative and dangerous attempts to bypass the law - all in the effort to catch a smuggler.
Meth Soup
1. Meth Soup
December 17, 2025
Border officials face a range of challenges as a passenger arrives with soup sachets that raise suspicions and leave a bitter taste. A family fails to declare a stash of airsoft weapons, prompting a serious inspection and concern over potential risks. Meanwhile, an interview with two sisters from Japan sets off alarm bells, as inconsistencies in their story lead officers to dig deeper. Every case shows the vigilance needed to catch illegal activity, when even everyday items can conceal threats. From undeclared goods to questionable travel motives, officers work to ensure safety and compliance at every checkpoint.
Description
Where to Watch To Catch a Smuggler
To Catch a Smuggler is available for streaming on the National Geographic website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch To Catch a Smuggler on demand at Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Fandango at Home, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play, Apple TV Store and National Geographic.
  • Premiere Date
    January 1, 2020
  • IMDB Rating
    6.9  (261)