PORT SECURITY

INVESTIGATING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY
OF U.S. PORTS OF ENTRY

Questions Raised

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has developed a layered security strategy that attempts to prevent terrorists from smuggling weapons of mass destruction and other contraband into the United States.  A key part of that effort includes implementing what is called the Automated Targeting System (ATS)..."
March 17, 2006, letter to the Comptroller General regarding Government Accountability Office recommendations for improving the ATS program

"The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and our respective Committees have been extensively involved in evaluating U.S. programs to combat nuclear smuggling, including the development and deployment of radiation detectors at both U.S. and foreign borders and ports."
August 1, 2005, Letter to the Comptroller General regarding the planning and coordination among Federal government departments in the development and effective use of radiation detection technology

"In light of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, concern has increased that terrorists could smuggle weapons of mass destruction (WMD), or their components and other potentially lethal devices, into the approximately 7 million ocean going containers that arrive in the United States every year."
September 12, 2003, Letter to the Comptroller General regarding the Container Security Initiative (CSI)and the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

"In a recent report, GAO evaluated progress made by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) in addressing the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism by installing radiation detection equipment at U.S. ports of entry....We request that GAO review the status and implementation of these efforts..."
September 12, 2003, Letter to the Comptroller General regarding the efforts to install radiation detection equipment at key transportation points within and outside the United States

"We believe it is essential to provide adequate and technologically sound equipment, such as handheld isotope identifiers and RPMs, to the men and women protection our ports and borders...Therefore, we urge you to include an additional $110 million, specifically set aside for the deployment of RPMs, in the Emergency Supplemental bill we understand that you will soon deliver to Congress."
March 24, 2003, Letter to the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Management and Budget, House and Senate Committees on Appropriations

Government Accountability Office Reports

Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS Has Made Progress Deploying Radiation Detection Equipment at U.S. Ports-of-Entry, but Concerns Remain 
March 22, 2006, Report to Congressional Requestors (GAO-06-389)

Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Corruption, Maintenance, and Coordination Problems Challenge U.S. Efforts to Provide Radiation Detection Equipment to Other Countries 
March 14, 2006, Report to Congressional Requestors (GAO-06-311)

Container Security: A Flexible Staffing Model and Minimum Equipment Requirements Would Improve Overseas Targeting and Inspection Efforts 
April 2005 Report to Congressional Requestors (GAO-05-557)

Cargo Security: Partnership Program Grants Importers Reduced Scrutiny with Limited Assurance of Improved Security
March 2005 Report to Congressional Requestors (GAO-05-404)

Preventing Nuclear Smuggling: DOE Has Made Limited Progress in Installing Radiation Detection Equipment at Highest Priority Foreign Seaports 
March 2005 Report to Congressional Requestors (GAO-05-375)

Homeland Security: Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Target Security Inspections of Cargo Containers 
December 16, 2003, Testimony of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce (GAO-04-325T)

Customs Service: Acquisition and Deployment of Radiation Detection Equipment
October 17, 2002, Testimony of Ms. Gary L. Jones, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, and Laurie E. Ekstrand, Director, Tax Administration and Justice, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce (GAO-03-235T)

Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Reports

Audit of Screening Trucks Carrying Canadian Municipal Solid Waste (Unclassified Summary), Office of Inspector General
January 2006 (OIG-06-21)

Effectiveness of Customs and Border Protection's Procedures to Detect Uranium in Two Smuggling Incidents, Office of Inspector General 
September 2004 (OIG-04-40)