CBP Nabs Stowaway Using High-Tech Scanning Equipment

A 30-year-old Honduran citizen was arrested attempting to illegally enter the United States as a stowaway on a southbound freight train entering at Blaine, Wash. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and CBP Border Patrol agents apprehended Jorge Amaya Amaya, along with 34 pounds of marijuana, using Blaine's rail gamma-imaging technology.

CBP officers were performing inspections and scans of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train on April 5 around 4:30 a.m. when they discovered an anomaly. The train was stopped and CBP personnel the officers & agents discovered Amaya Amaya inside a hopper car loaded with canola meal. A large black duffle bag containing vacuum-sealed marijuana packages was also extracted from the railcar. Estimated value of the marijuana is approximately $200,000.

When apprehended, Amaya Amaya carried no identification. Fingerprint checks at the Pacific Highway crossing provided positive identification.

"This latest apprehension of a foreign national drug smuggler is a direct result of the cooperative vigilance of both CBP Officers at the border, and CBP Border Patrol Agents assigned between the ports of entry, teamed with our high-tech tools, stated CBP Blaine Area Port Director Peg Fearon. This multi-layered approach has definitely enhanced our border security efforts."
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating the case.

CBP uses a variety of scanning technologies at ports throughout the United States. In addition to the large-scale gamma ray and X-ray imaging systems used in this seizure/arrest, CBP deploys personal radiation detectors, radiation portal monitors and radiation isotope identifier devices to identify mass casualty weapons.

These 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. This allows CBP officers to work smarter and faster in recognizing potential terrorist threats while simultaneously facilitating legitimate trade and travel through our ports of entry.
Photo courtesy of CBP by Gerald L. Nino