Established in June of 1940, this classification covers investigations of violations of neutrality statues. The Neutrality Acts declare illegal such actions as conspiracy to injure the property of a foreign government, enlisting in a foreign service, organizing a military expedition from the U.S. against a country with which the U.S. is at peace, and arming vessels of any country to commit hostilities against a country with which the United States is at peace. The Munitions Control Act, also known as the Export Control Act, requires the licensing of all persons engaged in the manufacture, importation or arts, ammunition, or implements of war. The FBI shares investigative responsibility for some violations in this classification with the U.S. Customs Service, Department of Treasury. In 1955 the two agencies entered into an agreement whereby the Bureau had primary investigative responsibility for neutrality acts and the Customs Service investigated violations of the Munitions Control Act. However, if customs determined in the course of its investigation facts which involve a conspiracy of major proportions against a foreign government, Customs may request the FBI to assume investigation. Because violations in this classification have international ramifications and have increasingly become terroristic in nature, other agencies, such as the Department of Justice, Department of State, the National Security Council, and the Secret Service have expressed a continuing interest in investigations in this classification. There is also communication and cooperation with the Central Intelligence Agency in some neutrality matters.
