rail security

[TBat55]

Stowaway Nabbed Using High-Tech Border Equipment
Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Officers apprehend wanted man on freight train

A 26-year-old Tacoma, Wash., man was arrested March 8 attempting to illegally enter the United States as a stowaway on a southbound freight train. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers apprehended the suspect, a U.S. citizen, using rail gamma-imaging technology.

CBP officers were performing a “Non-Intrusive Inspection” (NII) of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train when they discovered an anomaly. The train was stopped and the officers discovered the suspect on a hopper car. With assistance from the CBP Border Patrol, Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (AT-CET) and the Blaine Police Department, the suspect was identified as the subject of an active felony warrant.

CBP Narcotics Detector Dog “Mac” alerted to one of the suspect’s bags. The man then admitted that he was a heroin user and that the bag contained needles. CBP officers at the Pacific Highway crossing in Blaine had previously arrested the suspect in May 2004, when he arrived on a commercial bus from Canada. At that time, he was found in possession of marijuana and methadone.

“This latest fugitive apprehension is the result of our officer’s vigilance teamed with our high-tech tools,” said CBP Blaine Area Port Director Peg Fearon. “This multi-layered approach has definitely enhanced our border security efforts.”

CBP uses a variety of NII technology at ports throughout the United States. In addition to the large-scale gamma-ray and x-ray imaging systems used in this incident, CBP deploys personal radiation detectors, radiation portal monitors, and radiation isotope identifier devices. These NII tools give CBP officers the capability to efficiently and safely perform thorough examinations of cargo and conveyances without having to resort to the costly, time consuming process of unlading cargo for manual searches, or intrusive exams such as drilling and dismantling.