Ex-FBI Agent Blames Refugees for Rise in Smuggling Threats at US Ports

On the basis of voluntary reports from over 100 countries, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has estimated that there have been some 2,700 cases of nuclear and radiological material smuggling, as of December 31, 2014.

A threat to national security, highly enriched uranium or plutonium, illegally shipped to the US, can be used to build an improvised nuclear device. Radiological materials, including cesium-137, cobalt-60, and strontium-90, can be combined with conventional explosives to build a radiological dispersal device — a so-called dirty bomb.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security met on Thursday to evaluate the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to prevent nuclear smuggling, and other port security risks.

Maryland Port Administration security director Dave Espie, a retired FBI agent and former National Security Agency special agent, testified at a hearing on behalf of the AAPA that the threat of maritime terrorist smuggling appears to be escalating, possibly due to the surge of Syrian refugees entering Europe.

"The actions and aggressiveness of [Daesh] are challenging all aspects of our port security procedures," Espie said.

According to Espie, cargo containers have been identified as the most plausible mechanism for smuggling nuclear material into the US, noting  that more than 11 million containers arrive at America's 300 sea and river ports annually. To counter the risks, ports require additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, Espie argued.

He said that AAPA continues to seek ways to improve container security but stressed that it is essential to urgently address maritime nuclear smuggling in a more cohesive manner.

The former FBI agent called for what he termed a holistic approach, incorporating sound diplomatic relations with cooperating nations, increasing intelligence community assets, focusing on port security protocols and increasing investment in port security grant procedures, as well as federal agencies including CBP, to ensure current and future legislative mandates are properly executed.

"Threats against our nation's seaports are always emerging and port security grants are in continual demand," he said.

Last week, the House Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade, and Security (PORTS) Caucus sent a letter signed by 47 members of Congress to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, calling for the allocation of more resources to address endemic CBP staffing shortages at US ports.