*EPF106 03/22/2004
Text: U.S. Ports Upgrade to Better Block Smuggled Radioactive Materials
(Seaport portals to provide better detection, U.S. Customs says) (620)

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is installing sophisticated equipment at U.S. seaports to prevent terrorists from smuggling radioactive materials into the United States.

In a March 22 news release, CBP said that radiation portals now on display at Jersey City, New Jersey, along with other advanced equipment are designed to enhance CBP's detection capabilities.

The United States has been concerned that terrorists may attempt to smuggle into the country radioactive materials that can be used to produce so-called "dirty bombs." These dispersal devices, which combine a conventional explosive with radioactive material, could contaminate up to several city blocks, creating fear and possibly panic and requiring potentially costly cleanup, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Following is the text of the news release:

(begin text)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Customs And Border Protection Unveils High-Tech Equipment to Detect Radiological Weapons

March 22, 2004

Jersey City, NJ -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner unveils new highly sophisticated radiation portal monitors to better prevent terrorists or others from attempting to smuggle radiological materials used in nuclear and radiological dispersal devices (e.g., "dirty bombs") through U.S. seaports. CBP is rapidly deploying these devices to all major U.S. seaports.

In addition to the radiation portals, other sophisticated equipment used by CBP in its layered enforcement strategy will be displayed at a technology exposition at the seaport. This technology includes large-scale non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology, x-ray type machines that can scan an entire sea container within 2 to 3 minutes, personal radiation detection devices and radiation isotope identifiers that can pinpoint the source and nature of radiation. These radiation detection devices are important in detecting and identifying radioactive materials moving through a port of entry.

"The best way to prevent a terrorist attack is by preventing terrorists or terrorist weapons from entering our country in the first instance. The recent terrorist attacks in Madrid drive home the increased need to secure our borders against terrorist penetration. The new highly sophisticated radiation detection devices U.S. Customs and Border Protection is deploying in our seaports are a major step in ensuring that our border and our country are more secure," said Commissioner Bonner.

The radiation portals being deployed at the seaports enhance CBP's already formidable radiation detection capabilities. Shortly after becoming Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service, Commissioner Bonner required that the use of Personal Radiation Detection devices (PRDs) to be worn by all Customs inspectors with frontline responsibility. On March 1, 2003, upon the creation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, merging together all legacy Customs, Immigration and Agriculture inspectors, Commissioner Bonner directed that all CBP inspectors with frontline responsibility be equipped with PRDs. Additionally since 9/11, CBP has more than doubled the number of PRDs in its arsenal, it now has more than 9,400.

In addition, currently CBP has deployed over 300 Radiation Isotope Identifier Devices or RIIDs to every major seaport and land border crossing in the U.S. These devices are hand-held instruments capable of detecting and identifying various types of radiation emanating from radioactive materials, including materials used in a nuclear or radiation dispersal weapon as well as special nuclear materials, natural sources, and isotopes commonly used in medicine and industry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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