Napolitano to attend Mexican customs officials' graduation

By the CNN Wire Staff

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

A group of Mexican customs officials have completed a training course led by U.S. special agents
Top Mexican officials are also scheduled to attend the graduation
Customs officials on both sides of the border have increased collaboration recently

(CNN) -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to attend a graduation ceremony for Mexican customs officials Friday.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will host the graduation, along with Mexico's finance minister and director of tax administration.

The Mexican customs officials are the first group to complete a 10-week investigator training course taught by special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

Customs officials on both sides of the border have increased collaboration efforts recently.

In January they re-launched a joint operation targeting currency and contraband smuggling within Mexico, according to a statement published on the U.S. Embassy's website there.

And in April, 14 Mexican customs officials graduated from a U.S. Border Patrol canine academy in Texas, receiving training for detecting drugs, weapons and currency.