CBP Arrests Wanted Fugitive in U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Thomas, V.I. – Yesterday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers identified a wanted 43-year-old male, Halvor Hart having an outstanding warrant by Virgin Island authorities for various fraud related charges.

Hart arrived from St. Maarten on board a Liat Airlines flight and presented himself for CBP inspection at the Cyril E. King Airport.

Once inspected, computer systems indicated a positive match to a National Crime Information Center docket.

An outstanding warrant for Hart details charges by local authorities for obtaining money under false pretense, reselling sold property, fraudulent use of a credit card, receipt of money, goods, and services obtained by fraudulent use of credit cards, principals, participating in fraud on creditors, and embezzlement.

The subject was transferred by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Virgin Islands Police Department and the V.I. Bureau of Correction.

“Customs and Border Protection is an agency committed to securing our borders while at the same time cooperating with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of U.S. laws. CBP officers are always vigilant to detect individuals that have broken our laws and attempt to defeat our justice system.” said Marcelino Borges, director of field operations for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Officers at Pharr International Bridge Seize Cocaine

Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Pharr International Bridge seized approximately 23.2 pounds of alleged cocaine yesterday morning. The estimated street value of the cocaine is $744,978.

On May 24, CBP officers working at the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck. The male driver was identified as a 45-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and driver to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized 10 packages of alleged cocaine that were found within the vehicle’s tailgate. CBP officers seized the Ford Ranger as well.

The male traveler was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.

Efrain Solis Jr. CBP acting port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “Our frontline officers continue working hard to secure our nation’s borders and to prevent all types of contraband from entering our country. Our officers are doing great enforcement work.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Firefighters and the Toronto Blue Jays promote summer safety

City of Toronto firefighters have joined with 200 provincial fire departments to promote summer safety for school aged children. This campaign kick-off is organized by the Ontario Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council. On hand will be Toronto Blue Jays player John McDonald, Blue Jays President Paul Beeston, Toronto Fire Chief William Stewart, Fire Marshal of Ontario Ted Wieclawek and Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs’ President Tim Beckett.

Date: Friday, May 27
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Toronto Fire Services Station 333, 207 Front Street E. (parking on site)

Students from Market Lane Public School will be in attendance and will have an opportunity to meet with John McDonald, Blue Jays mascot Ace, and Toronto Fire Services mascot Sparky.

CBP Offers Tips for the Summer Travel Season

Washington — As the summer travel season approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is providing summer travelers with travel tips to assist with cross border travel.

CBP has implemented many important initiatives designed to facilitate travel while, at the same time, improving U.S. border security.

Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens

U.S. citizens traveling abroad must have approved travel documents when returning home. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable travel document, such as a passport, a U.S. passport card, a Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver’s License that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea.

A radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as a U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced Identification Card or Trusted Traveler Program card expedites entry and makes crossing the border more efficient. There are currently 10 million RFID-enabled travel documents issued.

WHTI document requirements for air travel have been in effect since January 2007. Almost all travelers flying back to the United States need to present a passport or NEXUS card.

Requirements for Visitors to the U.S.

All nationals or citizens of VWP countries are now required to have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and once approved, generally will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. CBP recommends ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans.

Small Vessel Reporting System

CBP now offers a new small vessel reporting system which allows boat operators and passengers an alternative to the current reporting system. By applying online and visiting a customs office in advance, owners and passengers can now obtain entry clearance by phone. The system is available in Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as along the northern U.S. border. The program will be expanded during the coming year to cover small vessel entries country-wide. For more information, please visit the Small Vessel Reporting System website. ( SVRS )

CBP offers the following travel tips for travelers:

• Tip #1 – To avoid fines and penalties associated with importing prohibited items, travelers should familiarize themselves with the “Know Before You Go” section of the CBP website ( Know Before You Go )
• Tip #2 – Be prepared to declare all items acquired abroad. Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth and have their approved travel documents ready.
• Tip #3 –Monitor border wait times for various ports of entry. Travelers can find wait time information at the CBP website. To experience shorter wait times, travelers can use ports of entry during periods of lighter traffic or less heavily traveled ports of entry during periods of heavy travel. ( Wait Times - Airport and Border )
• Tip #4 – Build extra time into the trip in the event of crossing during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic.
• Tip #5 – Know the difference between goods for personal use versus commercial use. ( Restricted/Prohibited Goods for All Travelers )
• Tip #6 –Do not attempt to bring fruits, meats, dairy/poultry products and/or firewood into the U.S. without first checking whether they are permitted. ( Bringing Agricultural Products Into the United States )
• Tip # 7 – International border crossers should expect a thorough inspection process, even during busy holiday periods, when entering the U.S. CBP officers are authorized to conduct enforcement examinations, ranging from checking luggage to a personal search, without a warrant
• Tip #8 – If you are a frequent cross-border traveler and haven’t already become a member of a trusted traveler program, sign up now. ( Trusted Traveler Programs )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Entergy Returns Indian Point 2 Nuclear Power Plant to Service

MAY 26, 2011 Buchanan, N.Y. – Control room operators returned the Indian Point unit 2 nuclear power plant to service Wednesday, May 25. Operators had removed unit 2 from service Friday evening to replace, as a precautionary move, three high-voltage bushings on one of the unit's two main electrical transformers. Similar bushings caused the failure of the unit's other transformer last November. Both the bushings and transformer were replaced soon after. There had been no indication of a potential failure of the just-replaced bushings or the transformer connected to them. Unit 3 is at full power and has been online for 78 continuous days since returning to service following a refueling shutdown.

CBP U.S. Air and Marine Agents Intercept Vessel With 26 Undocumented Aliens Near Arecibo; Narcotics Found Floating Nearby

Aguadilla, P.R. – US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine units intercepted a vessel near Arecibo on May 23rd, containing 26 undocumented aliens with six bricks of cocaine floating nearby.

Near midnight, the crew of the CBP Caribbean Air & Marine Branch (CAMB) DHC-8 aircraft detected a vessel without navigational lights, traveling east towards the northern coast of Puerto Rico.

The crew notified Marine agents onboard the nearby CBP Mayaguez Marine Interceptor Unit and the agents intercepted the suspect vessel approximately nine-miles northwest of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

Marine agents confirmed that onboard the 20-foot “yola” type vessel were 26 passengers, all claiming to be from the Dominican Republic. Agents also noticed an undetermined amount of debris floating next to the vessel.

The Marine unit retrieved a bag from the water, which turned out to contain bricks of suspected contraband.

Following the prosecutorial guidelines established by the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG), CBP contacted the US Coast Guard, transferring the 26 undocumented aliens for biometrics processing and determination of immigration prosecution.

CBP Border Patrol Agents boarded the cutter to perform immigration interviews.

Six of the undocumented aliens will be prosecuted for illegal, re-entry into the United States.

Federal authorities will not indict the undocumented aliens for federal narcotics trafficking charges.

The CBP Office of Air and Marine (OAM), is the world’s largest aviation and maritime law enforcement organization, protecting the American public through the coordinated use of integrated air and marine forces to detect, interdict and prevent acts of terrorism and the unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs and other contraband toward or across the borders of the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP U.S. Border Patrol Arrest 3 Mexican Nationals in Maritime Drug Smuggling Attempt

San Diego – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested three male Mexican nationals yesterday attempting to smuggle more than 750 pounds of marijuana inside a cuddy cabin style boat that came ashore near Torrey Pines State Beach.

At about 6:15 a.m., agents spotted a boat travelling north along the coastline in the waters off La Jolla. Approximately one hour later, agents monitored the boat as it came ashore near Torrey Pines State Beach with two individuals aboard. Agents subsequently arrested two Mexican nationals, ages 34 and 30, who were illegally present in the country. Agents also discovered the boat contained 32 bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 758 pounds and an estimated street value of $454,800.

Soon after, agents questioned the driver of a white van, a 37-year-old male Mexican national, who was waiting near the area of the boat landing. The driver of the van was subsequently arrested for being illegally present in the United States and for his involvement with the drug smuggling attempt. The three suspected smugglers, the vessel, the van, and the drugs were transported to a local Border Patrol station for processing. Agents later turned over custody of the men, drugs, boat and vehicle to the San Diego Air and Marine Task Force for further investigation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintains a strong enforcement posture along the coastal borders to detect, apprehend, and deter smugglers of humans, drugs and other contraband and is a member agency of the Maritime Unified Command (MUC). The MUC is comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP Office of Air & Marine, CBP Office of Field Operations, CBP U.S. Border Patrol, ICE, as well as state and local law enforcement partners operating in the San Diego and Orange County maritime domain. The MUC utilizes the fusion of intelligence, planning and operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the southern California coastal border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.