ROUTINE X-RAY SCAN BY FPS DETECTS MISSILE IN TRUCK

ICE’s Federal Protective Service (FPS) demonstrated recently the effectiveness of the X-ray system used to scan vehicles for potential threats and the officers who use the system.

An 18-wheel tractor-trailer truck going through routine X-ray scanning by FPS at the entrance to the Southeast Federal Center in Washington, D.C., on July 1 showed an image that appeared to be a missile packed in the trailer.

FPS officers questioned the driver of the rig after the object was discovered, but the driver said he didn't know what he was carrying. The truck’s manifest called for deliveries to the Department of Energy and the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), but wasn’t specific on the contents of those deliveries.

Alerted by the X-ray image, FPS officers notified the Federal Bureau of Investigations, USSS, and the Washington, D.C. Police Department’s Explosive Ordinance Division.

Further investigation eventually revealed that the device was in fact a missile, but an inert training missile for the Department of Energy.

“The X-ray system worked, and while this was a false alarm it showed that this system and our people can help protect facilities from real threats,” said Dennis O’Connor, FPS spokesman.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.