FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2002

SCHUMER TO CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT: WHY WAS URANIUM SMUGGLED INTO NEW YORK HARBOR?

Schumer calls on Customs Service to step up port safety measures immediately, sends letter to Commissioner declaring"gaping holes"in current procedures

In test of port safety investigations, news crew smuggled 15 pounds of harmless uranium with chemical makeup similar to that used for nuclear weapons

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today took the U.S. Customs Service to task, calling for stepped up port security measures and asking Commissioner Richard C. Bonner how his inspectors allowed a news crew to smuggle detectable uranium into the ports of the New York Harbor. The uranium sample went undetected because the shipping manifest of the cargo container it traveled in said it held "household goods" and did not arouse the suspicion of Customs officials.

"If Al Qaeda wasn't sure that a nuclear device could get into the United States before last night, they are now," Schumer said. "No one doubts that today's terrorist groups have the technical expertise to make a nuclear device and what last night's news report showed was that if a terrorist group gets its hand on enough weapons grade uranium, it can sneak it into one of our harbors. Each day that the government leaves security holes at our ports unplugged is another day that it's playing Russian roulette with our safety."

Schumer said the success of an ABC news crew in smuggling the uranium into New York exposed gaping holes in our nation's port security, and is particularly disturbing because it occurred in New York, where threats are higher than anywhere else. Schumer said there were glaring holes in the nation's port security infrastructure.

While over 95% of US overseas trade is conducted at the nation's 361 international seaports, just 3% of total cargo is inspected, creating the potential for terrorists to bring in weapons of mass destruction including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and making the ports and cities that house them highly vulnerable to terrorist acts. US ports currently receive no federal funding for security infrastructure, even though the nation's total port volume is expected to double over the next twenty years.

Ports across the nation are threatened by uncontrolled access to key areas, a lack of vital security equipment like small boats, cameras and vessel tracking devices, and poor intelligence sharing between local and federal agencies. Last year, the Interagency Commission on Crime and Security at US Seaports issued a report stating that security at US seaports ranges from poor to fair. Additionally, many passenger ships hold up to 5,000 people, making lax port security a threat to the passengers as well as the cities that house the ports. These weaknesses, Schumer said, all make ports an inviting target for terrorist activity.

Six months ago, Customs launched a plan to place agents at the 20 largest foreign ports to inspect cargo before it gets to the US. To date, however, Customs has placed agents at only four foreign ports – Singapore, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Antwerp. Even worse, no special security measures have been put in place at the largest container ports in the country, including New York which is the largest on the East Coast.

Schumer urged Customs to back measures to fund the research and development of sophisticated technology to detect nuclear devices which may be smuggled into US ports. Schumer has introduced legislation that would provide $250 million for that effort with Virginia Senator John Warner. The bill would also impose stricter cargo reporting standards, increased penalties for unreported cargo, more manual inspections of cargo and merchandise, and the purchase of over 100 new mobile X-ray scanning devices.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that the American people feel safe and are safe," Senator Schumer wrote in a letter to Customs Commissioner Bonner. "Particularly in this time of heightened alert, we must address these lapses in our security before it's too late. The ABC News test raises the following questions: Why didn't Customs officials look inside this particular container? Are cleverly or vaguely worded shipping manifests all it takes to smuggle goods into our ports via container? What steps is your department taking to improve the system of choosing which containers are inspected?"

Schumer also faulted House and Senate negotiators on being slow to reach agreement on how to pay for a measure to improve port security. Last year, the Senate approved a $600-800 million plan for US port security improvements whereby small user fees would be taken on all port shipments as part of the Seaport and Maritime Security Act of 2001. With the Port of New York as the largest and busiest port complex on the East Coast -- housing nearly 10,000 ships per year -- New York would receive a large portion of this federal funding. House Republicans have thus far refused to support the fee schedule.

For a copy of Schumer's letter to Commissioner Bonner click here.

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