U.S. Border Patrol agents find more than 23 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a speaker cabinet and in the interior of a pickup truck.

At approximately 1 p.m., a 25-year-old male U.S citizen was arrested in connection with the seizure after agents encountered him with the Nissan parked on the interstate median. After questioning the driver, a Border Patrol K-9 team conducted an external check of the vehicle. The K-9 team alerted to the rear seat area of the pick-up, prompting agents to conduct an inspection of the truck’s interior.

Agents detected seven bundles of methamphetamine hidden inside of a speaker box atop the rear seat. An additional three bundles of methamphetamine were found behind the rear seat. The bundles had a total weight of 23.72 pounds with an estimated street value of $426,960.

Agents later turned custody of the suspected smuggler and narcotics over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

While U.S. Border Patrol agents in San Diego Sector maintain a strong enforcement posture on the immediate border to detect and interdict all potential cross-border threats, a layered enforcement posture is also maintained along major routes of egress through coordinated enforcement operations and interior checkpoints.

Source = CBP

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680 pounds of marijuana found hidden in sacks full of scrap aluminum cans in the back of a bobtail truck crossing the border from Mexico into the U.S.

At around 1:10 p.m., July 12, CBP officers encountered the driver of a 1996 Ford Bobtail truck hauling aluminum scrap cans. Officers referred the man, a 44-year-old Mexican national, for a more intensive inspection of the cargo.

Officers inspected the truck using non-intrusive imaging technology and discovered anomalies with the cargo. A CBP canine team was summoned to the truck where the narcotic detector dog alerted to the sacks.

CBP officers probed the sacks and discovered several large plastic bags hidden inside the sacks of aluminum cans. The plastic bags held 13 bundles of marijuana that weighed 680 pounds.

CBP seized the truck and marijuana and turned over the suspected smuggler to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Pete Flores, San Diego CBP assistant director for trade said, “I am proud of the work our men and women do each and every day at our ports of entry by stemming the flow of drugs into the country while maintaining the flow of legitimate commerce.”

Last week, CBP officers seized more than 6,400 pounds of marijuana worth more than $3 million from several tractor trailers carrying drugs concealed within concrete tables and benches and inside boxes of produce.

Source = CBP

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CPB Agents discovered 400 Pounds of Marijuana valued at $ 200,000 hidden in the tires of a semi tractor.

At around 3:35 p.m., an empty tractor trailer pulling a flatbed approached CBP officers at the Otay Mesa port cargo facility.

Anomalies in the tire drew CBP officers attention, resulting in the discovery of marijuana bundles hidden within.

Officers inspected the truck and discovered anomalies with the four inner rear tires of the tractor and summoned a CBP canine team to the truck. The narcotic detector dog alerted to the tires which subsequently led officers to investigate further.

Officers removed the tires and discovered 40 packages of marijuana hidden inside. CBP seized the tractor trailer and drugs and turned over the driver, a 39-year-old Mexican male, to agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Early in the week, CBP officers seized more than 6,000 pounds of marijuana worth over $2.8 million dollars from several tractor trailers carrying drugs concealed within concrete tables and benches, and inside boxes of produce.

Paul Morris, San Diego CBP director of field operations said, “Keeping these drugs out of our country not only denies criminal organizations the money they gain from the sale of these drugs to support their operations but also keeps our communities safer.”

Source = CBP

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

Border Patrol agents discovered 322 Pounds of Marijuana hidden beneath the mattress in the sleeper cab of a semi tractor-trailer.

At about 5:30 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe station encountered a white semi-tractor trailer at the checkpoint. A Border Patrol canine team alerted to the semi, indicating the likely presence of concealed illicit contraband.

Blythe station Border Patrol agents found 112 plastic-wrapped bundles hidden beneath the sleeper bed of a semi-tractor trailer at the Highway 78 checkpoint near Palo Verde, Calif. on Thursday.

Agents referred the tractor trailer for secondary inspection where they uncovered 112 plastic-wrapped bundles of marijuana hidden beneath the sleeper bed in the cab of the truck. The driver, a 54-year-old U.S. citizen, was arrested.

The packages of marijuana weighed a combined 322 pounds with an estimated street value of $257,600.

The driver, semi and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Yuma sector Border Patrol’s toll free telephone number at 1-866-999-8727.

Source = CBP

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

“Projects like the West County Connectors are getting people back to work and are key to getting our economy back on track,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “From coast to coast the Recovery Act is not just creating jobs, its helping workers shore up America’s infrastructure.”

As a gateway for traffic between Los Angeles and southern California, the SR22/I-405/I-605 interchange is one of the busiest in the nation. More than 327,000 drivers pass through it each day, causing substantial traffic congestion and significant wait times. By adding a second HOV lane in both directions on I-405, the project will reduce traffic congestion and highway noise, and improve local air quality.

When completed in 2014, the connector will improve safety for the thousands of motorists who rely on the SR22, I-405 and I-605 each day. Currently, carpool users must cross multiple general-purpose lanes to get from SR 22 to I-405 and to the I-605, which results in significant weaving – posing risks to all who use these routes.

The West County Connectors project, the second phase of the region’s SR22 HOV project, consists of two segments – an east segment near Valley View Street and a west segment near Seal Beach Boulevard.

“This project exemplifies a great use of Recovery funds – it creates jobs, increases safety, reduces congestion, and connects communities here in Southern California,” said Administrator Mendez.

Of the $26.6 billion in FHWA ARRA funds available nationwide, California’s share is $2.57 billion. To date, $2.47 billion has been obligated for projects in the state toward 931 roads and bridges projects, with 437 under way and 122 completed.

Source = DOT

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$ 9 Million of marijuana stashed in rail car, hidden beneath layers of glass, dirt and debris.

Packages of marijuana were hidden beneath the gondola’s contents and were detected by CBP officers.

At the Calexico railroad yard, an intensive inspection that included a canine team led officers to the discovery of 352 wrapped packages concealed under layers of glass, dirt and wood in the gondola rail car. Ten additional packages concealed in two backpacks were also located on a second rail car. The street value of the narcotic load is more than $9 million.

“This is another example of how technology, detector dogs and hard work by our officers all contribute to keeping a large amount of dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” said Billy Whitford, port director for the Calexico port of entry.

Gondola-style rail car that held $9 million stash of marijuana

CBP seized the narcotics and returned the shipment of glass, dirt and wood to Mexico.

Source = CBP

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

Rescued Lions Transported to Ark2000 in Northern California

ADI, which has previously rescued and relocated animals in Europe, South America and Africa have described it as one of the most complex logistical operations they have ever undertaken but say it will be worth all of the effort when the animals walk free.

CSI actress Jorja Fox, ADI spokesperson for the operation, will greet the lions at SFO later today said, “These magnificent lions have lived all their lives in a tiny cage on the back of a truck. They have never felt the grass beneath their feet or had the space to truly run and play. They symbolize everything that is wrong with using animals to entertain people in circuses and that will be vividly clear when they run free in their new home. What a way to start memorial weekend. These lions really are home for the holidays.”

The lions were unloaded in the VIP area of San Francisco airport and checked by the ADI veterinary team, given a drink of water by Jorja Fox, and will then loaded onto a truck for the drive to ARK2000.
The lions will be released on Friday into the wonderful new natural habitat that ADI have constructed in partnership with the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) who run the world-renowned 2,300-acre, ARK2000.

Pat Derby, President and Founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society, said, “Animal Defenders International contacted PAWS last year about providing a permanent home for the African lions remaining in Bolivia. Because we have ARK2000, our 2,300-acre sanctuary in San Andreas, California, we were happy to be able to help.

Ed Stewart, PAWS Sanctuary Director, added, “We have been busy developing plans for the new lion habitat. Each lion has his or her own denning area and a vast natural habitat full of trees, shrubs and grasses.

“The next few weeks will be very busy as we carefully evaluate each animal and determine if any necessary medical treatments may be required. Each of the lion’s diets will be assessed and progress reports will be updated several times each day.

“We are all grateful to Bob Barker for his support of our sanctuary. As with every animal at PAWS, we are committed to providing life-time care. Each of the new lions will now have the peace and freedom to do as they please. They can nap or roam, sunbathe or explore. It’s their home and they will make their own choices.”

Derby said, “We congratulate ADI for their tireless efforts to rescue these animals and we applaud the government of Bolivia and its good citizens for banning the cruel exploitation of animals used in circuses. This is certainly a landmark victory and we hope that other countries around the world, including the United States, will take notice and follow suit.”

Jan Creamer, ADI President who has been in Bolivia coordinating the rescue and who will be flying in with the lions, said: “With the Congresses of Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Chile all considering legislation to ban animal circuses, this rescue is not merely symbolic, it shows that we are prepared to make a real commitment to ensure that bans on animal circuses can be fully implemented and animals can be saved.

“As other animals need homes we will be assessing these on a case by case basis. With these lions there were clear welfare and public safety issues. When dealing with lions there are not only welfare and public safety issues, we are therefore delighted to be working with PAWS who have enormous experience with big cats and a reputation for setting the highest standards in animal care.”

The ADI rescue operation was backed by Bob Barker.

About Animal Defenders International (ADI):

With offices in Los Angeles, London and Bogotá, Animal Defenders International (ADI) campaigns to protect animals in entertainment; replacement of animals in experiments; worldwide traffic in endangered species; vegetarianism; factory farming; pollution and conservation. ADI also rescues animals in distress worldwide. ADI gathered evidence has led to campaigns and legislative action all over the world to protect them.

ADI’s Mission: To educate, create awareness, and promote the interest of humanity in the cause of justice, and the suppression of all forms of cruelty to animals wherever possible to alleviate suffering, and to conserve and protect animals and the environment.

Source = Business Wire

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

Patrol Vessel

“We are pleased to be working along side TST and Swiftships on this important project,” said Marc King, President, Ceradyne Armor Systems, Inc, a subsidiary of Ceradyne, Inc. “It gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in the armoring of small and medium-size naval vessels.”

Ceradyne is providing end-users with state-of-the-art armoring technology capable of protecting the ship’s crew under severe combat conditions. These vessels are being purchased through the US Foreign Military Sales Program and will increase the overall naval capability of the Iraqi Navy.

Brian Parker, Ceradyne’s Program Manager, added, “Most importantly, the crews operating these vessels will have an increased level of survivability if they are forced to engage in combat while on patrol.”

Information about Ceradyne, Inc.

Ceradyne develops, manufactures and markets advanced technical ceramic products and components for defense, industrial, automotive/diesel and commercial applications.

In many high performance applications, products made of advanced technical ceramics meet specifications that similar products made of metals, plastics or traditional ceramics cannot achieve. Advanced technical ceramics can withstand extremely high temperatures, combine hardness with light weight, are highly resistant to corrosion and wear, and often have excellent electrical capabilities, special electronic properties and low friction characteristics. Additional information can be found at the Company’s web site: www.ceradyne.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Ceradyne that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source = Business Wire

Nation2Nation publishes articles of interest to professionals involved in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Import Export, International Trade, Border Security, Transportation, Transportation Safety, Trucking, Railroad, Air Freight, Maritime and Cargo Management. Contact Jeff Platts at contact@nation2nation.com.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe Station stopped a Freightliner tractor-trailer at the Highway 78 checkpoint at about 10 p.m. Agents referred the driver for secondary inspection after a Border Patrol canine team alerted to the cab of the tractor-trailer.

A search of the semi revealed 45 bundles of marijuana hidden inside the truck’s sleeping area. The marijuana weighs approximately 580 pounds and has an estimated street value of $464,000. Agents arrested the driver, a 43-year-old male U.S. citizen, and later turned him and the contraband over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, Yuma Sector agents have seized more than 21,000 pounds of marijuana.

Source = CBP

The Twitter application allows the company to post a message in a concise 140 characters or less. Aspen has used the site to update its customer’s and employees to the successes of the sales and operations departments. The company has had hundreds of requests from people who wish to become “followers” – this enables them to receive updates as they are posted. The company has linked together the twitter with its Blog (www.aspeninc.blogspot.com) and the Aspen website (www.aspenlogistics.com) – all of which, are part of their overall digital marketing strategy and brand awareness efforts.
What has sparked the interest in extending the use of the twitter application is its ability to translate to a younger generation of workers. “Many employees are already utilizing the site in their daily lives. We are just extending its use to communicate what’s occurring at work,” states Chris Ticknor who heads Aspen’s marketing efforts. “We are capitalizing on the trends that appeal to a younger generation of workers.” Aspen’s thoughts are that as the baby boom begins to make its exodus the company wants to be in a prime position to appeal and enable its new workforce as much as possible. Aspen feels that by incorporating these new applications into their work culture you create an atmosphere ready for synergies between work and personal life that can drive productivity and employee satisfaction.

For additional information please contact Chris Ticknor Aspen’s Corporate Marketing Manager, or call Aspen (800) 741-7360.

Aspen Logistics Inc. is a top 100 third party logistics firm who has been in business for over 30 years and operates approximately 3 million square feet of modern refrigerated and ambient warehouse facilities along with their own fleet of trucks. Aspen specializes in a variety of value-added services, including co-packing, pick pack, just-in-time inventory management and time sensitive custom deliveries. Aspen is a specialist in the retail and healthcare supply chain and understanding the details involved with shipping to major retailers and grocery chains has been a key to its successes.

Source = PressReleasePoint