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Customs Corruption on the Border
From: "KD Weber"
Customs Corruption on the Border
ED NOTE: Mr. Carman has introduced himself to me. If you are a media
personality receiving this email, please consider him for an interview.
John Carman-Former U.S.Secret Service-U.S.Customs/INS-SDPD
Director-Carman Investigations
California State License P.I.8686
P.O. Box 3811
La Mesa, Ca. 91944
Pager: (619)601-9250
Cell: (619)806-0047
johncarman@earthlink.net
http://www.customscorruption.com/
By: John Carman
Former U.S. Customs Official Turned Whistleblower-
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John Carman
Carman Investigations: Investigations, Security
Consultations, Protection.
A veteran law enforcement officer for over 25 years,
John has worked for the U.S. Secret Service, San Diego Police Department, U.S.
Mint Police and the U.S. Customs Service. In his capacity with the Secret
Service in 1974-1977, where he served for over 3 years, John was directly
involved in protection of the President, First Family, the White House, the
Vice-President and his family, Ambassadors, Embassies and Heads of State.
John Carman
In 1982 he served with the U.S. Mint Police for
approximately 1 year while protecting millions of dollars worth of United States
Gold Bullion at the Federal Depository in San Francisco. He subsequently left
this position in lieu of a new position in 1983 to serve as a Customs Inspector
on the U.S.-Mexican Border. During his 16 year tenure in U.S. Customs, he was
ultimately promoted to a Senior Customs Inspector where he was personally
responsible for apprehending record numbers of narcotics, smugglers, armed and
dangerous felons, fugitives and Immigration violators.
Over the course of his career with the U.S. Government,
he has received numerous commendations for his outstanding career and
enforcement record to include Commissioner's Awards from U.S. Customs.
John has completed over 4 years of college level courses
regarding law enforcement and police training to include an A.A. & A.S. in Law
Enforcement and Investigations, F.L.E.T.C., U.S. Secret Service Specialized
Training, the San Diego P.O.S.T. Certified Police Academy and a 3-year
in-service training, DEA Training, U.S. Customs training at F.L.E.T.C. and "In
Service Training" as well as a long list of courses associated with these
programs of study. (See also: www.carmaninvestigations.com )
John has been a licensed Private Investigator in the
State of California since 1981 (license #: AQ-008686).
John is also a Life-Time member of the C.N.O.A.
California Narcotic Officers Association in California.
He has been a Martial Arts Expert in Judo, Karate and
Aikido techniques for over 30 years. In 1970, he received the Shodan Black Belt
in Judo from Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, Japan. Since that date, he has
been a martial arts and self-defense instructor for men, women and children in
related martial arts as well.
Through his experiences as a well-documented
whistleblower within the U.S. Customs Service regarding corruption and
management abuses, John has been interviewed numerous times on television, radio
talk shows and in many newspapers nation wide regarding these vitally important
issues since 1995.
www.carmaninvestigations.com
This was a "Port Runner" that got away from another Customs
Official, but I intercepted it before the driver could do anything and he ran
back to Tijuana, Mexico, leaving over 100 lbs of narcotics. I caught it
abandoned with the drivers id. still attached to the windshield. I was driving
the Customs "Chase Car" that evening. One of my usual catches. I had a 90%
success rate over anything that got away from another Customs or Immigration
official that originated from Tijuana thru San Ysidro. This was about 1993.
Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, customs managers decided to scrap the
program. Gofigure??
This is what Customs uses now to chase bad guys. (embarrassing!)
Bad guys can see this brightly colored vehicle miles a away. I even saw a
private security company use the same coloring and striping for their "security
vehicles". High visibility, but low apprehension rates. That's why most law
enforcement "prowl cars" went to the "black and white" color configuration. Or
an all solid dark blue or black color because it was less visible by "bad
guys" at night time when most crimes occur. Go figure! Compare to the dark
blue, highly efficient chase car above. OPERATION
WHITE TIGER
The Documents The Government Didn't Want You To See!
The Teachings of the Professor/White Tiger by Jose M.
Martinez, Copyright 1999
ISBN:970-651-131-8
"TECS II Security Compromised"
It has just been confirmed recently by "current" and "former"
Customs officials in internal affairs that the U.S Treasury Enforcement Computer
System "T.E.C.S. II" has been compromised for years.
It has been "rumored" for years in Customs Internal Affairs
that certain Mexicans in Mexico had "full" access to the restricted government
United States Customs Service Treasury Enforcement Computer System or TECS II
since the early 1990's. (According to an internal affairs source, former
Assistant Customs Commissioner Mike Lane was in charge of "communications"
during that time and "may" have been responsible for this "set up" in Mexico
through U.S. Customs District Director Alan J. Rappoport who has special
contacts in Tijuana, Mexico)
The reports were that there were FIVE "unaccountable" and
"untraceable" computer lines with direct access, which were utilized in Mexico.
One of which was just south of San Ysidro California in Tijuana, Mexico.
If this were true, then ALL the information could be accessed
by drug cartels for a "price" and they could access the various law enforcement
links with DEA, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. State Department, DEA-NADDIS,
C.L.E.T.S, N.L.E.T.S., Canadian Law Enforcement, INS, INTERPOL, etc....That
also means that everything that was input into the TECS lookout systems were
"compromised". This information is also shared with ALL U.S. Treasury
Departments like the U.S. Secret Service as well as other important agencies
like the National Security Agency and the C.I.A. as well.
Note: In one other case a former Latin American U.S. Customs
Supervisor here in San Diego (Initials F.F.) allegedly "gave" Mexican
authorities a specially "encrypted" Treasury radio transceiver with ALL Treasury
frequencies so they could communicate with U.S. Customs. It was also common
knowledge that this particular Latin Supervisor as well as others in Customs
would give "restricted" information to the Mexican authorities which would
confirm or deny that certain information on U.S. licensed vehicles were stolen
or not. How do you think that happened???
It is also alleged" that Alan J. Rappoport, former District
Director of U.S. Customs "may" have been responsible for this break in "national
security". Alan J. Rappoport was responsible for setting up TECS in San Diego
and was very efficient in using computers and TECS. Mr. Rappoport also had
regular access and "very close ties" to one of the most powerful families in
Mexico, Jorge Hank-Rhon owner of the Caliente Race Track and Foreign Sports
Book.
In fact it, was common knowledge that D.D. Rappoport and Port
Director John "Jack" Maryon would visit on a regular basis to Rancho Tecate to
visit with their friend Jorge Hank-Rhon on a weekly basis and would come back
late at night according to Customs and INS sources. There are several Customs
and INS inspectional personnel who have seen these two men in particular arrive
even after hours at the U.S. Border Inspection Station at Tecate. One Supervisor
was told by former Customs Port Director Jack Maryon, "You didn't see us . We
were never here" and NOT to remember to repeat that he saw these two men coming
back from Tecate Mexico on a certain visit.
Former Otay Mesa Port Director Jack Maryon even admitted to
this editor back in 1994-95 that he "had lunch with Jorge Hank-Rhon on a weekly
basis." (This was while Jack Maryon was "ordering" me NOT to put Jorge
Hank-Rhon's name into the TECS II computer on look out as an intelligence report
that was received by very reliable sources. Since it was "procedure" to input
ALL important intelligence data into TECS II in the form of an
M.O.I.R.(Memorandum Of Information Received or an R.O.I.Report of Intelligence)
Coming soon......."Operation White Tiger" documents that will
confirm that the Hank-Rhon family had direct ties to the drug cartels like Amado
Carillo Fuentes and the Arellano Felix cartel.
Editor~ www.CustomsCorruption.com
Jeff Bolin
Jeff Bolin's license plate EDITOR NOTES;
Here is a nice photo of former Customs co-worker Jeffrey
"Jeff" Bolin.
Jeffrey confided in me and in front of witnesses on
several occasions that he was originally solicited by Customs I.A. agent Alicia
Fuentes about 9-10 months prior the infamous traffic stop with La Mesa P.D. on
June 16, 1999.(9-10 months is a long time....?)
According to Jeff's statement's to me, and in front of
other retired Customs officials, Jeff claimed Customs I.A. was after me and
tried to use anything they could to have me stopped or arrested.(Retaliation for
whistleblowing??)
Several months later on November 23, 1999 in superior
court, Customs I.A. agent Alicia Fuentes admitted that they had an "informant"
who claimed I was caring a concealed weapon and that I was using a forged
Customs I.D. card and badge to impersonate a Customs official.(FALSE CLAIM) That
case was dropped by Judge Lantz Lewis in El Cajon Superior Court. Jeff Bolin was
the only person that I had talked to just prior to that incident. I NEVER stated
I was still a Customs officials nor did I ever display a Customs badge or forged
any credential. I also never carried a concealed weapon without proper permits.
I have a state issued gun permit which allows me to carry openly as a State
Licensed Private Investigator.(Jeff also makes a practice of wearing a concealed
"stainless" semi-automatic handgun and it is not known whether Jeff has a CCW.
Jeff made a statement to me that he could carry his handgun without a CCW permit
while he has his Customs credentials. (Interesting Jeff!)
NOTE: According to Customs policy any Customs official
with over 5 years may retain his old credential that is given back to him/her
after a "cancel" stamp is perforated into the TWO piece identification cards.
Apparently Jeff was very jealous or had some other
personal reasons or hidden agenda to talk with Customs internal affairs as he
was also trying to get his retirement during that time in 1999 and was spending
an awful amount of time hanging out at the Starbuck's Coffee shop at the
Grossmont Mall in La Mesa.(Jeff admitted to me and others that he liked to watch
the "young girls" that came by to shop)
Jeff also admitted to me, and others, that Customs I.A.
asked him about another Customs K-9 employee that I happen to run into and was
talking to in the public parking lot adjacent to the same area where Jeff and
his friends would hang out at by Starbucks Coffee.(Seems Jeff is doing an awful
lot of talking to Customs I.A. agents during that time) As I remember, Jeff was
also served with a "Fitness For Duty Letter" by Customs management in San Diego
and was Jeff attempting to take a combined retirement rather than be "removed"
using his prior military service as well.
On one other occasion during the week while I was
talking with Jeff on a sunny afternoon, I just happen to notice that former
co-worker Customs inspector Mike Horner drove by as he was dropping off or
picking up one of his daughters. As soon as I mentioned this, Jeff Bolin bolted
out of his chair and immediately walked away like he was scared or something. I
never saw Jeff move so fast. I thought he had a bad left knee or
something???(Jeff makes it a practice to show off his x-ray medical card which
he uses when he flies. It shows and describes his metal plates and pins in one
of his legs so it does not alert TSA Security x-ray technicians.
Other "retired" Customs officials have "alleged" and
speculated that Jeff was a "snitch" and had made damaging statements against
others in Customs as well as against Mike Horner so he could be in their favor
for his retirement.(September 1, 2000) This is not an uncommon practice by some
who are willing to lie for the agency.
When confronted, Jeff Bolin claimed that Internal
Affairs lied and would testify on my behalf. Bolin made that statement to me in
front of TWO other former customs officials and co-workers here in the La Mesa
area in early February 2000.(Later Jeff recanted his claims and was discovered
to be making unfounded claims against "John Carman" to other "retired" Customs
officials in La Mesa.) Gee Jeff, I thought we were friends???
According to Jeff Bolin: "Internal Affairs tried to get
him to give John Carman up! Former Customs I.A. agent Alicia Fuentes "suggested"
and asked "leading" questions to try and get someone to say something bad about
John Carman". (Jeff Bolin denied this to me and later recanted his testimony to
others.(Which is it Jeff???)
Jeff later said Customs I.A. lied and will testify in my
behalf.(Will you Jeff???)
Retired Customs Inspector Jay Erdmann was a witness to
Jeff Bolin's statements as well as Emmett Lynch in Feb 2000. Retired Customs
official Jay Erdmann said he will testify as to any statements that were made by
Jeffrey Bolin.
Tecate: Bolin admitted to me in front of Ed Lynch on
9-12-00 that Mike Horner got a hold of some blank Customs ID cards from the
Tecate Port of Entry when he was stationed there back in 1990 or so. Bolin told
me that he also had access to some "blank" Customs I.D. Cards and later admitted
to me that he had asked permission to use the "blank" Customs ID cards for his
Boy Scout troop as a souvenir and was allowed to use them.This was during the
time Alan J. Rappoport was still District Director. Byron Peters was the Port
Director of Tecate at that time.
According to other reliable sources and statements made
to this editor, Jeff Bolin and Mike Horner were very close and that Jeff Bolin
provided information to Mike Horner. I am not sure exactly what information was
shared, but Mike Horner later admitted forging a document and served
approximately 10 months for it. Bolin has been bad mouthing several other former
Customs officials. Ever since then, Bolin has been afraid of Mike Horner for
some reason.(Why Jeff??? Our readers want to know)
Which is it Jeff?
Maybe we will find out in a sworn deposition this year??
More to come........
Editor~ www.customscorruption.com
Backlog of Whistleblower Cases Growing, Agency Report
Says
By Tania Branigan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 21, 2003; Page A04
Hundreds of whistleblower complaints about waste, fraud
and abuse in government are going unexamined, with the backlog of cases at the
Office of Special Counsel more than doubling in the past 18 months, according to
newly obtained figures.
Former special counsel Elaine Kaplan, who left office
last month, said the problem was so intense that she believed only one case had
been reviewed within the statutory period of 15 working days during her five
years in office. The majority of the reports can take more than six months to
resolve.
Kaplan said the disclosure unit was a victim of its own
success, receiving an increasing number of allegations as federal staff became
aware of its work. The number of complaints has risen by almost half since
October 1991 -- with 555 disclosures of wrongdoing filed in the fiscal year that
ended September 2002 -- and staff has been unable to keep up.
As of June 30, there were 628 cases awaiting review,
two-thirds of which had been with the OSC for more than six months, according to
figures from the agency's latest annual report and further internal statistics
obtained by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), which
represents workers who have filed disclosures. At the end of 2001, 245 cases
were pending.
Nor does the increase in reports seem to reflect a rise
in frivolous or unfounded claims; a greater proportion of disclosures was
referred for investigation and fewer closed due to insufficient evidence.
An OSC spokesman said the agency was aware of the
backlog, but he did not provide further comment.
Kaplan, who now works for the Washington law firm
Bernabei and Katz, said the disclosure unit had only two staff members when she
became special counsel. It now has eight full-time employees.
"They probably need 20 or 30 people," said Kaplan,
although she conceded that such an increase was unlikely.
"Cases have never been dealt with within 15 days --
that's an unrealistic assessment of how long it should take because a lot of the
cases are extremely complicated. I think in the time we were there we may have
been able to handle one in 15 days," she said.
But she added: "The function is well worth investing in.
We tried to prioritize cases to look at possible threats to public health and
safety, but it was hard to do even that.
"I do think it would pay off in the long run because
these are also cases involving allegations of mismanagement and wasted money."
Jeff Ruch, executive director of PEER, warned that the
delays might deter future disclosures. He stressed that complaints often called
attention to serious risks to public health and safety or the mismanagement of
substantial sums of money.
"It's like calling 911 and being put on hold," he said.
"Hundreds of federal employees risk their careers to
blow the whistle, only to find that no one is home to hear it.
"We are calling on the administration to address this
backlog [so that] whistleblowers know whether there will be action, rather than
leaving them twisting in the wind for months or years, which makes a difficult
decision [to speak out] even harder."
But Tom Devine, legal director of the Government
Accountability Project -- a nonprofit group supporting government and corporate
whistleblowers -- said that extra staff would be "a much-needed band-aid." He
called for the administration to support structural reforms that would allow
federal employees to take their cases to court after six months, as corporate
staff can.
President Bush has nominated Scott J. Bloch, deputy
director and counsel to the Task Force for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
at the Department of Justice, to take over as special counsel
Customs Corruption Commentary:
The Office of Special Counsel or OSC, should have been
disbanded years ago. They do not have the proper staff or expertise to conduct
real investigations and they do not have a proper budget or jurisdictional
authority. How can you investigate when the agency you are investigating has
more authority than they do?
The same thing has happened with the OIG as well.
The OSC agency is doomed from the beginning and they
don't even know how to conduct an independent inquiry without using
"inexpereineced" people without any law enforcement background at all. How can
such an agency conduct proper investigations into federal law enforcement
agencies if they don't even have the tools or jurisdiction. Findings are only
"recommendations" that are quickly ignored by U.S. Customs managers. Their
function in strictly "administrative" in nature and do NOT impact on federal
agencies or laws where they can make the most impact.
If there is a finding, they can only "recommend" to the
federal agency being investigated. This is a total waste of time and energy as
it "tips off" the agency before going to federal court on a real course of
action. That is why they should disband MSPB as well as OSC! One example is when
an OSC "investigator" who called a Customs manager and asked them point blank,
"We got a complaint from (C/C redacted) and wanted to know if it was true?" The
Customs manager in question simply denied the allegation and NOTHING was done.
THAT is why we need investigators from other outside law enforcement agencies
like the DOJ or FBI, IRS, etc...The OSC investigators are not properly trained
and do NOT even qualify as a law enforcement category in training, background or
expertise. OSC doesn't even understand the simplest law enforcement procedures
or techniques. After you have "tipped off" the OSC, your case is jeopardized and
Managers will know right away what has happened. Even Internal Affairs is
notified and you experience retaliation for no apparent reason.
Editor~CustomsCorruption.com
FIRESTORM
More Corruption Alleged by Diane Kleiman
The Unknown Soldier
Mickey Downie used to be the government's hired gun.
Now he's in its crosshairs.
BY THOMAS FRANCIS
Narco-Corruption at U.S. Customs
Narco News, August 4, 2001
Customs Inspectors to be Posted at Foreign Ports
By Philip Shenon
NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
June 12, 2003
Click Here to read story
Recent Local Drug Busts
a.. April 4, 2003: U.S. Border Patrol agents Friday
discovered a marijuana-filled truck
b.. April 5, 2003; Agents discover border tunnel
c.. July 16, 2003; Tijuana mechanics find drugs in car
d.. July 18, 2003; Local man charged in Mexico for pot in
car
Rash of illegals crashing through U.S. port-of-entry
Source:
WorldNetDaily
http://worldnetdaily.com/
Rash of illegals crashing through U.S. port-of-entry
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=31888
3 vehicles with aliens careen north from San Diego on
southbound lanes
Posted: April 6, 2003
By Jon Dougherty
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
A United States Border Patrol agent says three vehicles in
two weeks have "busted" through the Otay Mesa port of entry near San Diego from
Mexico and that two of the three weren't caught.
The agent, who patrols in southern California and requested
anonymity, said the port runners, as they are called, break into the U.S. by
driving northbound in southbound lanes of port-of-entry traffic, which poses a
danger to other vehicles heading to Mexico.
Also, he says, agents risk their careers - as well as their
lives - if they pursue the port runners because of management-imposed policies
that tend to limit high-speed chases. Also, agents suffer abysmal public
relations and possible bureau repercussions if illegal immigrants crash vehicles
while being chased and injure or kill their charges.
southbound entrance to Tijuana, Mexico. WorldNetDaily photo.
The agent said the first port runner was driving a brown van
and busted through two weeks ago - the day before the U.S. launched its attack
on Iraq. Then, on Monday, the agent said two more vehicles - a Chevy Suburban
and a Ford F-250 pickup with a camper shell - blew through the port. The agent
added that no one has any idea who - or what - was in the two vehicles that got
away.
One port runner - the driver of the Suburban - was
apprehended by USBP agents driving an undercover vehicle who were stationed near
the port in the southbound lane, said the agent.
"Those agents stayed with the vehicles. One broke off the
freeway and they lost it," he said. "However, we did manage to catch the Chevy.
Those agents risked it all - their jobs and their lives."
The agent said 22 illegal aliens were found in the Chevy. He
also said the driver was apprehended, but he did not provide details about the
driver.
Overhead of Otay Mesa truck inspection port. U.S. Customs
photo.
"We need someone to speak out from management about why we
haven't changed our pursuit policy even after 'Code Orange' and why we don't
have spikes built into the freeway systems to prevent this," the agent said,
referring to the current terrorism threat level set by the Department of
Homeland Security. Code orange, or "high alert," is the second-most serious
level.
An international airport is located inside Mexico just a few
short minutes from the Otay Mesa port of entry. The agent hinted that terrorists
could use it to get close to the U.S. border.
"How easy would it be for some people who want to do us harm
to get into the U.S. via that form of smuggling?" he said, noting that it took
19 port-busting incidents at San Ysidro - also near San Diego - before "we got
some action" and tire spikes were built into the roads to flatten the tires of
port runners.
Vincent Bond, a spokesman for U.S. Customs in San Diego,
confirmed a series of port-running incidents that have occurred since late
March, including the incidents reported by the agent. He said one of them got
away, but two others were apprehended.
When asked about road spikes, he said inspectors had access
to road spikes that could be placed in front of fleeing vehicles, but that there
were none built into lanes at Otay Mesa. And regarding pursuits, Bond said
immigration inspectors were not permitted to chase port runners.
"Our inspectors at the ports of entry . call local law
enforcement, such as California Highway Patrol, or Border Patrol," he said.
"That's our procedure."
Customs generally operates the ports of entry.
Border Patrol offices did not return phone calls seeking
comment, but USBP agents have pursued port runners - in conjunction with other
law-enforcement agencies - in the past.
On March 1, the enforcement and investigation wings of the
INS, U.S. Customs and U.S. Department of Agriculture were merged into the new
Department of Homeland Security. Within DHS is the Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection.
Terrorists said to seek entry to U.S. via Mexico
April 7, 2003
By Bill Gertz
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
A group of al Qaeda terrorists is attempting to infiltrate
the United States from Mexico to conduct attacks in the country, The Washington
Times has learned. Top Stories
At least 14 al Qaeda members are said to be in Mexico, said
officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The al Qaeda members are
working with Mexican organized crime groups, such as drug-trafficking
organizations, in an attempt to enter the United States covertly, the officials
said.
No other details about the al Qaeda plan or its targets in
the United States were disclosed.
The intelligence on the al Qaeda infiltration was circulated
to U.S. officials within the past two weeks and was among numerous reports of
terrorist threats.
Additionally, intelligence officials said captured al Qaeda
operations chief Khalid Shaikh Mohammed recently told U.S. officials that al
Qaeda was planning to carry out a firebombing attack on Washington's Metrorail.
Mohammed said a firebombing was planned for a stretch of the
subway between Capitol Hill and the White House.
Metrorail operates three lines in the area, the Orange, Blue
and Red lines.
One official discounted the threat disclosed by Mohammed,
saying a similar threat to conduct a subway bombing in another country had been
made before Mohammed told his interrogators about the Metrorail threat.
Mohammed was arrested in Pakistan in early March, and he is
one of the highest-ranking al Qaeda leaders captured in the war against terror.
He is in U.S. custody at an undisclosed location.
The al Qaeda infiltration from Mexico and bombing threat
against the Washington subway followed earlier intelligence reports that Iraqi
intelligence agents were seeking to conduct terrorist attacks in the United
States, including a plot to conduct an attack on President Bush's ranch at
Crawford, Texas, the officials said.
The warning about Iraqi intelligence agents also was
received as the Bush administration began a worldwide effort to have such agents
expelled from foreign capitals.
The warnings about the al Qaeda and Iraqi threats come as
the United States remains on heightened alert for a terrorist attack after
military operations began against Iraq. The national terrorism alert level has
been at Orange, or heightened.
"There is a serious concern that terrorists will try to
conduct an attack in the United States," said one intelligence official. "I'm
surprised they have not struck already."
A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said he
had no information on the al Qaeda members who are attempting to enter the
country.
Senior U.S. government officials told the New York Times
that anticipated terrorist threats against the United States in the days after
the start of the Iraq war have not materialized so far.
Earlier intelligence reports said that al Qaeda was seeking
to recruit radical Islamists in Saudi Arabia and Yemen to conduct terror attacks
against oil fields in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The intelligence prompted
heightened security measures in all three countries. So far, no attacks have
taken place.
Also, earlier intelligence indicated that terrorists had
planned to conduct an attack against Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The reports said
terrorists had planned to hijack an airliner and fly it into a U.S. nuclear
submarine based at the harbor that was bombed by the Japanese in a 1941 sneak
attack.
In February, the CIA concluded in an analysis that Iraqi
leader Saddam Hussein is highly likely to use a "third party" terrorist group to
conduct a proxy attack on the United States, U.S. officials said.
The agency estimated there is better than an 85 percent
chance that Saddam would use proxy terrorists to strike the United States, and
that the likelihood would increase after any U.S. military action were to begin.
Also last month, intelligence officials disclosed that
terrorists had targeted the nation's largest nuclear-power plant near Phoenix,
and that federal agents were looking for Iraqi "sleeper cells" in the country.
The threat to the Palo Verde nuclear plant west of Phoenix
prompted the deployment of National Guard troops around the facility.
U.S. Border Patrol officials said a diary written in Arabic
was found last month in a backpack discovered on a southern Arizona trail
frequently used by illegal aliens. The diary, according to the officials,
contained names and telephone numbers of at least two persons in Canada and
Iran.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030407-892247.htm
Forests along national borders aren't patrolled, audit says
By EMILY GERSEMA
The Associated Press
4/30/03 5:58 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- About 1,000 miles of national forest land
bordering Canada and Mexico go virtually unpatrolled by the U.S. Forest Service,
creating wide swaths for terrorists and criminals to enter the country
undetected, an internal government audit says.
Even though the Forest Service is not the lead agency
responsible for border security, it oversees areas "that are potentially
vulnerable to infiltration by terrorists, smugglers, and other criminal agents,"
the Agriculture Department's inspector general said in a report Wednesday
The Forest Service oversees 460 miles of land along the
3,000-mile border between the continental United States and Canada. It also
monitors 450 miles between Alaska and Canada, and 60 miles along the border with
Mexico.
With just 620 officers to monitor the 196.1 million acres
managed by the Forest Service, a "relatively small number" of those patrol 520
miles of forest land along those borders, they said. The remaining 450 border
miles aren't patrolled at all, the auditors said.
Specific numbers were omitted for security reasons, said
Sharon Friend, a spokeswoman for the inspector general, "so no one would know
how many or how little we had."
It was not clear whether other security services, such as
the Border Patrol, had dedicated resources to patrolling national forest land in
border areas.
The audit also pointed out the Forest Service's limited
powers. Forest Service officers generally cannot arrest anyone entering the
country illegally unless they're breaking a law enforced by the agency. But they
can detain suspicious people until Border Patrol officers arrive to make an
arrest.
Noting that "border security is an essential element of
national security, especially in light of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks," the audit is the latest in a series of reports spotlighting
significant gaps in security at the Forest Service.
Last week, the inspector general said the Forest Service has
been lax in securing guns and explosives in storage buildings on federal lands
and at ski resorts. And last year, the same auditors raised similar concerns
about air tanker planes used to fight wildfires. Without increased oversight,
terrorists could steal the planes and spray harmful chemicals, they warned.
In their latest report, the auditors said the Forest Service
should work with the new Department of Homeland Security to increase monitoring
of federal lands bordering Canada and Mexico. They also suggested that other
agencies -- particularly the FBI and Customs Service -- share information about
suspected terrorists with the Forest Service.
Forest Service officials said they agreed with most of the
recommendations.
Mary Matiella, the agency's deputy chief of budget and
finance, wrote in a response that the agency already works closely with other
government agencies.
"In order to intensify (those efforts, the agency) would
need additional resources," she said.
Border officials hope to throw net over smugglers
By Marisa Taylor
STAFF WRITER
May 8, 2003
They're kamikaze smugglers, and they'll do anything to get
into the United States.
Packing their cars with illegal immigrants and drugs, they
come speeding across the U.S.-Mexican border, sometimes so unexpectedly that
inspectors have to leap out of the way.
Authorities have tried to fight back against the port
runners by installing steel spikes that pop out of the road and destroy the
smugglers' tires.
But the spikes pose problems. Sometimes the smugglers smash
into vehicles, injuring innocent people. They also have learned how to drive
over the spikes by filling their tires with silicon.
Border authorities may have found a safer, more effective
solution.
Next week at the San Ysidro crossing, they'll begin testing
a device called the VSS, or Vehicle Stopping System, which snares smugglers in
nets similar to those used to catch jets as they land on aircraft carriers.
"We used to have to jump out of their way," said Lauren
Mack, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in San
Diego. "Now we're going to stop them using a high-tech net."
The device stops vehicles so smoothly that the occupant of a
car traveling at 50 mph isn't pitched forward. The 12-foot-wide net also
prevents suspects from fleeing because it wraps around the doors of the vehicle,
trapping those inside until authorities arrive.
"The primary goal is to prevent the illegal entry of
immigrants into United States, but to do it in a way that is absolutely safe to
the occupants," said Ken Ducey, president and CFO of Markland Technologies, the
Ridgefield, Conn.-based company that designed the system.
Port runners have long been a danger at the border.
Ten years ago, smugglers tried to race through the San
Ysidro port of entry at least once a day.
The spikes reduced the problem, but didn't eliminate it.
Last year, 76 port runners tried to cross the border, up
from 54 the year before. That number doesn't include the increasing number of
wrong-way drivers who try to drive north from Mexico through southbound lanes.
The search for technology to replace the spikes began about
three years ago.
The government invested about $200,000 in the VSS, which
uses material similar to the resilient cord used by the fishing industry.
The device has been installed at San Ysidro on the U.S. side
of the inspection booths, where cars spill into three lanes. The net is
activated by an inspector who pushes a button inside the booth.
If the VSS works as planned, border authorities have
expressed interest in installing such devices elsewhere along the Southwest
border, Ducey said. Each is expected to cost about $30,000, plus $20,000 for
installation.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department
of Homeland Security has been looking for any kind of technology that can help
guard the border without slowing legitimate travelers.
Tom Ridge, who heads the fledgling agency, announced during
a visit to San Diego last month that the United States plans to expand the
program known as SENTRI - the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid
Inspection.
Motorists who pass a security clearance and pay a fee every
two years can use the program to pass through ports of entry quickly.
Officials plan to open a SENTRI lane for pedestrians by
September. As people walk across the border, their passes will be scanned
electronically.
Border authorities also plan to launch the U.S. VISIT
program, which uses high-tech, biometric cards to register all foreign visitors
as they arrive at international airports and seaports. The cards will include
photos, fingerprints or eye scans.
With all the talk about high-tech gadgets, the steel spikes
known as tire shredders seem out of date.
Last year, tire shredders that the United States installed
on the Mexican side of the border were temporarily welded shut on orders from
Mexican customs officials after southbound motorists complained that the spikes
were shredding their tires as they drove legally into Tijuana.
Customs Corruption Editor's Note: The tire shredders that
were welded shut on the Mexican side of the border are actually allowing Port
Runners to drive northbound into the U.S. from Tijuana, Mexico bypassing the
tire shredders. This has actually been a ploy used by Mexican Aduanas and their
smuggler friends. It helps excuse them and allows them to claim that they had no
control over the Port Runners. It will also bypass any "new" system like the
V.S.S. that is utilized by our Customs & INS officials. Unless there is total
co-operation between the two countries, someone will still be "paid off" on the
Mexican side in order to guarantee that their Port Runners will not be blocked
or prevented from driving into the U.S. illegally. It has been going on for at
least 15-20 years.
A hole in security?
Border area seems even more vulnerable in the aftermath of
9/11
by: Anna Cearley
STAFF WRITER
May 7, 2003
Detecting tunnels a priority, but progress is hit and miss
by: Anna Cearley
STAFF WRITER
May 7, 2003
Tunnel is found near the border at Tecate
It's 6th in county area since January 2002
by: Anna Cearley
STAFF WRITER
June 18, 2003
Marijuana-filled big rig is seized
June 24, 2003
OTAY MESA - When Customs agents ordered a truck driver to
steer his tractor-trailer rig into their X-ray machine at the Otay Mesa border
crossing last Friday evening, they noticed he seemed a bit reluctant, so much so
that he steered away from the machine, got out and tried to run back into
Mexico.
After collaring the man, agents X-rayed the big rig and
found nearly 5,500 pounds of marijuana, said Vince Bond, spokesman for the
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
Authorities did not release details of the seizure until
yesterday.
The driver, Roberto de Loza, 50, of Tijuana is in the
Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown San Diego to await arraignment on
federal drug-smuggling charges. - Gregory Alan Gross
Editor's Note;
Obviously the drugs are still coming in and blatantly being
shipped in large truck containers like they have for decades. The same trucks go
through the Mexican Customs compound prior to entering the U.S. compound without
being checked. Or maybe they had knowledge? Illegals and narcotics still come
through the border on a daily basis. There needs to be an increase of Customs
and Border Patrol staff to handle the work load. If illegals can run through the
Customs facility and NOT get caught, then narcotics smugglers will attempt to
get large loads of marijuana or cocaine into the country with the same low risk
factor. Or is that the less than 1% inspection rate that Customs Headquarters
has authorized since Weise and Kelly?What is Bonner doing to prevent this?
Nothing! It's ALL "lip service" Nothing has changed. Who do you think you are
fooling anyway Bonner?
ARCHIVED ARTICLES;
a.. Customs Whistle-blower Takes Treasury's O'Neill to Court
By: Martin Edwin Andersen
b.. 2 men, Mattel fined for illicit donations
By Nick Green
DAILY BREEZE
c.. FBI agents seriously injured while investigating
interstate rail car robberies near El Paso, Texas
By: Associated Press
September 14, 2002
d.. 2 convicted in drug case after buying a seized SUV from
U.S. Customs
By Sandra Dibble
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 11, 2003
e.. U.S. Customs Whistleblower Had Warned America
Customs Employees Against Discrimination Assn. (CEADA)
Press Release: September 19, 2002
Open Borders Expose'. See photos, review maps, then ask
yourself WHY?
NEW ARTICLE & PHOTO: Read Now!
"Operation Green Quest", an initiative that will target
current and future terrorist funding sources. Why do that when the terrorists
already have access through our "open" borders especially at the northern
Canadian-U.S. Border? What is Internal Affairs doing about that? Why do "private
security guards" maintain "private entry points" along OUR U.S. Border?
(202) 927-1000 FAX (202) 927-2886
Mark Conrad, former Supervisory Special Agent, U.S.
Customs Service, Office of Internal Affairs is co-authoring a book about the
U.S. Customs Service. Mark retired at the end of 1998 after more than 27 years
with Customs. He began his career as a sky marshal in 1971, and later became a
Special Agent, servicing in Houston, Laredo, Reston, Va., and Ottawa, Canada.
Since his retirement he has completed his law degree, and is teaching Criminal
justice courses at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. He
also assists Customs and Department of Justice employees in EEO, disciplinary
and whistleblowing cases.
Mark has, for quite some time planned to write a book
about his personal experiences in the Customs Service where employees went above
and beyond the call of duty in their jobs in service to their country. He wanted
to contrast that with documented incidents of management throughout the service
lying or covering up other Customs officials lying to serve a preordained
management objective. However, the reality is that he is considered prejudiced
and non-objective by the agency because he has testified against the agency
several times and refused to support the agency's positions in matters being
investigated by the EEOC, Treasury Inspector General and Office of Special
Counsel. He has also gone on national television against the agency's wishes
while he was still working for the Office of Internal Affairs. (A Special Agent
in Charge once criticized Mark for testifying truthfully in court!)
Mark would like to incorporate into the book some of
the experiences of field personnel in the two areas listed above. If you have
first hand knowledge about someone who has gone way beyond what was required to
further the mission of the Customs Service or if you have direct firsthand
knowledge of Customs officials lying he would like to know.
Additionally, Mark is looking to compare and contrast
the "cultures" of the various offices from New York to Hawaii. What makes the
location where you work so interesting or unique?
And finally, he would like to know what you were doing
when 9-11 happened and what did you do on your own and what did you do pursuant
to instructions. Please understand that Mark is not looking to trash the agency
but to help in restoring it to its once tremendously respected agency it was
when he first came on board in 1971. If you have a vendetta or a score to settle
this is not the forum. If you have something to contribute please mail/fax to
the below address/phone numbers:
Mark Conrad
1061 Huffman Suite H
Birmingham, AL 35215
Phone/fax: 205-856-8953
Email: markconrad_law@hotmail.com
Arthur D. Gilbert
Photo of Potrero Cafe where I saw Supervisor Gilbert on
8-1-00 Why is this man still working for U.S. Customs
and also a GS-13 Supervisor?
This supervisor, Arthur D. Gilbert, is the same suspect
who made "overt" and "extreme attempts" to insure the entry of over 8,500 pounds
of cocaine into the U.S. through the Otay Mesa commercial facility back in
October 1990. He is also responsible for letting the very same truck driver who
drove this cocaine filled truck "walk" back into Mexico FREE while the "cocaine
filled" truck was still being verified for the contraband of approximately 8,500
pounds of Cocaine. Supervisor Gilbert gave every excuse in the world to
facilitate the cocaine laden truck into the U.S.
This very same Customs Supervisor was eventually removed
for the "good of the Service" by then Customs Commissioner George J. Weise, but
was later reinstated back to Customs under Raymond W. Kelly.
Customs sources claim that there were verified rumors
that Gilbert was also ordered removed again, but was somehow allowed to remain
and later promoted even after being photographed by Internal Affairs receiving a
package from Mexican officials in Tijuana, Mexico on "official" government
business? ("alleged" to be given to his boss the past CMC director Rudy M.
Camacho)
Supervisor Gilbert was later rewarded with a promotion
and is now in charge of the Customs DCL section of the DCL program. (Documented
Commuter Lane) How does THAT happen?!
Supervisor Gilbert was later spotted on 8-1-00 at 14:30
hours by the Editor of CustomsCorruption.com, John Carman, in civilian clothes
talking with the owner/manager of a Mexican restaurant called the Potrero Cafe
in Potrero.(Just east of Tecate Port of Entry by 2-3 miles) Carman was in
Potrero doing a private investigation regarding a domestic welfare case when he
spotted Gilbert.
"Once Gilbert spotted me, he took off in his "new" green
Pontiac in a very big hurry back to south bay and Chula Vista." Gilbert was
driving like a "bat out of Hell" to get away. (California License plate 4LAL116)
Gee Art, where were you going in such a hurry? I bet you
were driving so fast, you were breaking the speed limit for the road conditions
at that time. (Dangerous Winding roads are prevalent in the Tecate area where
this occurred and it is very dangerous)
Supervisor Gilbert did not stop to say hello. I guess he
was busy on some urgent Customs matter and had to report back to his bosses in
San Diego???
More to come...........
Editor of Customs Corruption.com
U.S. Customs Series: San Antonio Business Journal
by Bill Conroy
a.. Customs record-fraud charges under review by U.S.
Attorney
b.. Workplace dysfunction is rife within Customs
intelligence unit
c.. Former agents weave insiders tale of federal agency in
crisis
d.. Torpedoed G-man unit rising like phoenix from its ashes
e.. Whistleblowers say nation's railroads should be on red
alert
f.. Low-risk importer program continues despite terrorism
g.. Border security, free trade threatened by terror reality
h.. Customs employees confront culture of reprisal: U.S.
agency accused of using 'shoot-the-messenger' tactics against whistleblowers
i.. Acting commissioner of Customs asked to explain photos
j.. Customs record-fraud charges under review by U.S.
Attorney
k.. Customs accused of abusing power: Whistleblowers claim
reports shredded, drug-bust records made up
l.. Customs accused of shredding records: Agency official
says employees 'are getting their due process'
m.. Customs facing class-action challenge: Hispanic agents
pressing U.S. agency to own up to racism
n.. Government's kingpin-sting tactic may threaten airline
safety
o.. Bankers blues: battling the tide of the black market:
Are lenders fighting a war that can't be won?
p.. Hispanic Customs agents file class-action suit in
federal court
q.. Treasury Department accused of fostering atmosphere of
discrimination
r.. Customs agents hurl conspiracy accusations: Hispanic
special agents contend rights violated
s.. Hispanic police officers backing Customs agents
t.. Leadership concerns raised over homeland-security task
force
u.. Customs destroyed evidence, federal agents' lawsuit
claims
TECS II Violations: Janet Neely
Here is another example of retaliation for reporting
corruption through the system in place at U.S. Customs internal affairs: The
following is an exact quote from an anonymous letter just received from a
Customs employee somewhere in Texas. The facts were also verified through a
known news source as well before publishing this letter.
"Mr. Carman,
Two years ago(2000), approximately 12 Customs Inspectors
notified Internal Affairs about a supervisor by the name of Janet Neely who had
falsified drug seizures using other inspector's names and social security
numbers without their knowledge and permission.
Internal Affairs was never interested on this very serious
TECS II violation. It was only a year later and only after YOU and the San
Antonio Business Journal exposing this corruption that Customs Internal Affairs
showed up in Laredo, Texas.(Fly Team) They did an excellent job of covering up
this type of corruption. They even went as far as blaming one of the inspectors
for Neely's unlawful violation by accusing the inspector of staying logged onto
TECS II and leaving his/her name logged onto the computer "unattended", thus
giving Neely an "excuse" to FALSIFY TECS II records using the other Customs
employee's name.
What's even more amazing is that I.A. got this interview
incriminating themselves on tape! We have shown Customs Directives where it
states that a violation of this type is considered an "automatic
dismissal"(Termination)
Not only did Neely NOT get terminated as the directive
dictates, she didn't even receive a reprimand of any kind. She instead got a
"temporary promotion" to acting Chief at the Laredo CMC. Neely has been in that
position ever since her TECS II violations. Until just last week, recently the
Port Director, Gene Garza noticed that there had been several Customs CF-148
forms with his signature which he didn't remember signing. Upon further
investigation, Garza learned that someone had signed for as may as 20 "new"
faxes using Garza's own signature. These faxes were no where to be found.
(copies are usually kept on file for later examination)
Yes, Janet Neely falsified the Port Director's signature to
obtain faxes and other supplies using Customs CF-148 forms and other government
funds.
Gaby Serna, who worked directly under Janet Neely has already
admitted to ordering parts for her "personal" computer using "Customs Funds" and
CF-148 forms.
Further investigation revealed that there were as many as 115
Falsified Customs CF-148 forms and the theft runs into the "several thousands"
of U.S. TAX payers dollars". Gaby Serna further admitted that Janet Neely told
her to do it and that it was authorized.
Neely is under investigation for theft and forgery. Neely is
also under investigation for signing out for a seized "child pornography" video
tape and NOT returning it to the evidence room. The video tape, which is an
important piece of evidence, is still missing. Instead of suspending Neely with
pay, Customs management in Laredo has chosen to put her in charge of the Customs
Command Center. Neely is currently the supervisor for the or Customs Command
Center in Laredo now. Yes, this is where all intelligence information and TECS
lookouts regarding terrorists threats are processed thru. The Command Center
over sees ALL Customs Operations.(Related to INTERPOL, Justice, DEA, INS, Secret
Service, to name a few)
Mr. Carman, "What the hell is going on?"
This is the worst type of corruption and cover up I have ever
seen here in Customs. Neely should be put in prison along with all these
"corrupt politicians" with badges that call themselves "INTERNAL AFFAIRS"! This
type of corruption within Customs should NOT be tolerated and needs to be
EXPOSED!!! " (unsigned)
New Archive. (just added 9/22/02)
Click on any story to view it.
a.. Customs agent charged with stealing $95,290 by Dan
Herbeck
b.. Unit 10: FBI busts suspected smugglers
c.. Bush signs whistleblower bill by Sonya Ross
d.. Hit or miss security leaves border exposed by Dan
Herbeck
e.. Drug Allegations strikes Mexico's high and mighty by Dan
Trotta
f.. Salinas Case Update: Romeo Salinas job discrimination
lawsuit against the U.S. Customs Service
g.. The World: President Bush vowed Thursday to create a
"smart border" with Mexico
h.. Doublecross: U.S. Customs Embarassed by Smuggling
Informant
"Delayed Bribe"
FORMER U.S. CUSTOMS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CHARLES WINWOOD
JOINS SANDLER & TRAVIS TRADE ADVISORY SERVICES AS
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BORDER SECURITY
(from the website www.strtrade.com. )
Customs Self Service Boat Reporting Update
Customs boat reporting system updates. Still no changes! This
comes from a loyal Customs employee that really cares about what is going on.
Bonner, are YOU listening? " Today, six months after 9/11, the "800" Boat
Reporting phone is still in operation. The agency suspended the "Gate" program
for aircraft, but allows anyone to use the free reporting system. This
telephonic notification system is answered in northern New York, but calls also
come in from Miami to the shores of the Great Lakes."(WHY?) " Staffing still has
not come up to standards or what Congress wants & the "new" Customs recruits are
being brought on at "two year" appointments,... not permanent. There are no
sworn officers to even attempt to check these boats." (What???????) What's with
that Mr. Bonner????? Why don't YOU get your act together Bonner!
Drug War:
Covert Money, Power & Policy: Interdiction
The 60 Great Conspiracies of All Time
Fiesta of Assassins
Featuring an International Cast of Characters
After Dirty Air-Dirty Money
Off-Shore Accounts & Drugs
Mexican Cartels and Their Integration into Mexican
Socio-Political Culture
by Chris Eskridge
University of Nebraska
More Open Borders On Canadian/USA Border
Hiring Illegal Immigrants Reaches Epidemic Proportions. Here
Is What You Can Do To Help.
REPORT ILLEGAL HIRING
The next time someone says they think you are exaggerating
about "GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION", just show them this:
GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION
Destroying America As Easy As "A-B-C"
David Brito Garcia: Observer of West Texas
ENRON: THE ANATOMY OF A COVER-UP
A FORMER REPUBLICAN INSIDER TALKS
Mexican Tours
Chuck "Chuckles" Winwood goes into deep cover as a
tour-guide in an effort to apprehend the infamous "Frito Bandito" corn-chip
cartel. He has been giving guided border tours in hopes of detecting and
capturing the Frito Lay Family's mastermind as he smuggles an estimated $150.00
USC worth of corn-chips weekly by hiding them in the carry-on luggage of
geriatric sight-seers who travel in and around the border on tour-busses. Chuck
plans to retire after this intense man-hunt as he says,"I can't take the
pressure any more."
Congress Probes Punishment of INS Whistle-blowers
WASHINGTON ö A Republican member of the Senate Judiciary
Subcommittee on Immigration is questioning the Immigration and Naturalization
Service's decision to discipline two Border Patrol agents for publicly pointing
out weaknesses in security along the U.S. border with
Canada.Press@Grassley.senate.gov
Following a plea agreement set out by the Justice
Department, a federal judge sentenced a former U.S. Customs agent supervisor to
the maximum allowable time in prison for helping smuggle marijuana over the
border. Read This Story
Man wins right to sue U.S. government over pot car
Monday, June 2, 2003 Posted: 9:15 PM EDT (0115 GMT)
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- A Mexican national may
sue the U.S. government for selling him a car with a hidden load of marijuana,
and then arresting him when he tried to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in it, a
federal appeals court ruled Monday.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found the government's
argument that it should be immune from Jose Aguado Cervantes' lawsuit was "so
off the mark as to be embarrassing."
The appellate panel reinstated Cervantes' negligence claims
against the government for allegedly failing to find and remove the drugs from
the car he purchased in July of 1999 at a U.S. Marshals Service Auction in San
Diego, California.
Four months earlier, the car was seized by the Immigration
and Naturalization Service after it was used to transport illegal immigrants
into the United States but agents apparently failed to notice 199 pounds of
marijuana secreted in its bumpers, the court said.
But the justices decided that Cervantes, a resident of
Mexico, could not sue for false imprisonment or false arrest because U.S.
Customs agents who found the pot when Cervantes tried to cross the border from
Mexico to the United States in October of 1999 "had reasonable cause to believe
his arrest was lawful."
Cervantes spent three and a half months in jail, charged
with drug smuggling. He was released after U.S. investigators realized that the
marijuana, which had been welded into the bumper, was so decomposed that it
could not have been placed there just months earlier, Cervantes' attorney
Stephen Estey of San Diego said.
Estey called the court's decision to overturn the lower
court "refreshing."
"My client is a 67-year-old grandfather and has never had so
much as a parking ticket in his life," Estey said. "He has a remarkably good
outlook ... it was a rough ride."
The justices criticized prosecutors for failing to heed
their earlier order to settle the case, saying the government "thumbs its nose
at its obligation to see that justice is done."
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego
declined to comment because the case was still being litigated.
Terrorist Hides In U.S. Territory
In the last couple days, San Juan Puerto Rico, a " known
terrorist" enters via flight from Antigua. NCIC lookout for terrorist type
stuff. INS clears and allows the suspect terrorist to proceed. Customs was not
notified. Customs finds out and runs the suspect's name and discovers he is an
NCIC terrorist lookout.
This NCIC subject is now running loose in Puerto Rico
(unless of course he has hitched a boat ride to the great ol' US of A.)
A TDY I&NS official aka "dip shit" from a seaport to remote
northern border POE. The INS official brings with him a lap top computer with "4
month old version" of PALS (similar to the old I&NS service lookout book). This
INS official "refuses" to sign into properly "log in" to TECS(Treasury
Enforcement Computer System), proceeds to run people's names in this "four month
old" stand alone computer disk.
No individuals are found to be of interest re:terrorist
activities in the last four months which are in his
little antiquated INS issued "lap top" computer, but
refuses to accept that fact. The INS Official then runs everyone else's names,
including (USC's and aliens) in his little "limited" program. No wonder
terrorists get into the country!!!!
I recently worked a twelve hour shift, and four hours with
an INS official that also heads a local church. Of the 4 hours I was working
with this "brain surgeon"(INS Official), the INS official spent 3 and a half
hours on the government telephone conducting church business while working on
government time. My other co-workers say this is an every night occurrence. Most
times upwards of 5-6 hours every night!! The INS supervisor was informed of
this activity and he did not give a shit.
There is another "co-worker" that is a "temporary" INS
official working at a remote INS POE. This official opens the inspection
station at 09:00 A.M. This GS-9 INS "port director" spends at least three hours
in the back room on the internet in auction sites, stock sites and ???, leaving
a part time Customs official to work alone at the Border Inspection Station.
SAFETY ISSUES! So much for helping INS out. Where's the dual responsibility?
The National Guard showed up last week UNARMED. National
Guard can work alone as long as they are with an "armed" Customs or INS
official. So much for the fabricated Customs Alert level 1 requirements of
having "2 armed officers at the inspection station at all times". They don't
have enough vehicles to get them to and from P.O.E.'s without a lot of
shuffling. The nearest housing is 50 miles from POE.
A Canadian national shows up with "expired" Visa/INS waiver
driving a "limo" with a "USC"(U.S. Citizen) PAX to the Spokane airport. The
Canadian national was referred to INS secondary. The Canadian subject was then
allowed to enter the United States by way of a "free trade examiner" even though
he knew the waiver was invalid. A subsequent TECS query of the Canadian subject
was done as well as a criminal history for possible narcotic trafficking. This
Canadian national had a conviction for narcotics trafficking, but was released
by the INS official.
Later the same day we had a Canadian with "resident" status
in United States who is changing her status. She had a "family emergency" in
Canada, (grandma dies) so she needs goes to the funeral. When the Canadian
national came back, she didn't have her documents, but her story was verified by
same Customs "free trade official". He refused the Canadian female entry because
she wasn't supposed to leave.
Oh...did I mention that this Canadian U.S. "resident" she
was 6 months pregnant. (I wonder who the father was?)
We'll knowingly let in a convicted narcotics trafficker, but
refuse a pregnant immigrant who is in the process of changing her status under
the law because her poor grandmother had the audacity to up
and die on her!
The INS official with the laptop was going to refuse an
older "USC"(United States Citizen) female living in Canada because she was
"entering the U.S. with the intent to commit a crime!!!" (her headlight was
burnt out at 7:30 am??? An equipment infraction at most)
As you can tell, I am getting so sick of this S_ _T.
Signed,
C/C Redacted
John Carman Files Groundbreaking Lawsuit
John Carman, Customs Agent/Whistleblower, has filed a
lawsuit that has the law enforcement community buzzing! Read the daring charges
and understand that he means business.
Torpedoed G-man unit rising like phoenix from its ashes
By: Bill Conroy
All they wanted was honesty and the ability to do the job
for which they were paid but all they got was the ax. Read the story on Monday,
17th, directly from the San Antonio Business Journal.
Get an Overview of the Customs Agency
Missing Something?
For references and past articles, go to our archive pages.
ARCHIVE ARCHIVE1 ARCHIVE2 ARCHIVE 3
--------------------------------------------------------------
These articles have been moved to Archives Page-1
a.. Bounties Of $200,000 Said Placed On Border Agents
NewsMax.com Wires 12-20-1
b.. FBI, CIA want agents in T.O. Raids after Sept. 11 raise
fears of established terror cells. By TOM GODFREY, TORONTO SUN
c.. Closer Look at Exports Urged Customs Lists Items of
Potential Use to Terrorists
a.. U.S. Seeks Safe Border With Mexico
b.. Accused drug lord arrested in Mexico
c.. Mexico Police Probe Mystery Corpse
d.. Arellano-Felix Crime Family
e.. Two Baja Officers Held After Port Chase
f.. Security Compromised By Mechanical Train Inspections
g.. Bill would give federal whistle-blowers right to sue
employers if punished
h.. More help sought for those who blow whistle
--------------------------------------------------------------
These articles have been moved to Archives Page-2
a.. Customs Service Unveils Strategy to Uncover Terrorism
Materials
b.. Customs considers changing inspections on Canadian
border
c.. President wants 24% hike in spending on border security
d.. An Anonymous Letter To CustomsCorruption.com
e.. CUSTOMS HOUSE IN NEED OF CLEANING
f.. PROMIS Trail Leads to Justice
g.. PROMIS Spins Web of Intrigue
h.. Nothing Is Secret
i.. Canadian Border Open to Terrorists
j.. Police Yourself Policy
k.. Senator calls for U.S. border checks inside Canada
l.. Terror cell `had base in Canada'
m.. Train trouble
n.. Felonies If Anyone Retaliates Against Government Agents
or Witnesses
o.. A DIFFERENT BEAT: A Coast Guard unit from St.
Petersburg, Fla.,
p.. Raids bust heroin ring from Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------
These Articles Have Been Moved To Archives Page-3
a.. Billions Worth Of Drugs Entered U.S. Through Tunnel
b.. DEA Confirms Capture of Benjamine Arellano-Felix
c.. Frank Serpico and Darlene Catalan appear at
"Whistle-Blowers" convention.
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Jamie Dettmer Speaks Out On A Host Of Customs Corruption
Issues
Read The Dettmer Papers
This is an anonymous letter from a veteran Customs official
here in San Diego talking about nepotism and preferential treatment that is
causing a serious MORALE problem in the world's largest land border inspection
station, San Ysidro.
This is just one more exampleof the type of people we have
in charge of a Customs border inspection station and Customs Headquarters does
NOTHING about it.
Prisoner of Oskar
THE BOX
Editor note: This article was scheduled for archiving and a
new situation was to be posted to
THE BOX this week, but because of threatening letters to the
editor from Ms. Tischler's attorney and demand notices sent to myself and our
Web hosting service, we chose to leave this feature up and add to it any new
developments.
Perhaps the most telling thing is that all Ms. Tischler had to
do was to contact us and we would gladly post any rebuttals to the allegations
made by our sources. She is a public official that chooses to speak through her
lawyer, we speak through this public website.
In the interest of fairness, we wish to present both sides of
this issue. Since the only contact we have with Ms. Tischler is through her
attorney, we have published the demand letters that clearly state her lawyers
opinion that the allegations made by our sources were false.
We have edited the article below in a nod to Ms. Tischler's
attorney, but the overwhelming volume of the allegations (and support from
current customs agents) demand we share this information.
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/custoday/jun2000/tischler.htm
EMAIL BONNIE: bonni.g.tischler@customs.treas.gov
Special Treatment: I have personally checked with reliable
government sources and former government agents with Customs Internal Affairs
contacts. They all allege that Assistant Customs Commissioner Bonni G. Tischler
was caught several times while driving a government vehicle under the influence
of alcohol or drugs. Ms. Tischler was never arrested.
These in-the-know government sources also allege that Ms.
Tischler received a 30 day suspension for her 2nd or 3rd offense -- in sharp
contrast to penalties inflicted on others that were fired or removed from the
Customs Service after their 1st offense. What's up with that Bonni?
According to these government sources, Ms. Tischler was also
allowed to take her suspension one day a week as an extra day off, while other
agents, had to take an immediate 45 day suspension in consecutive days off for
stopping off to pick up some milk for the kids as an example of improper use of
a government vehicle. (That's a lot of money to take away from a family that has
minor children and bills to pay isn't it Ms. Tischler? Why are you so special?
Don't you have family to support?)
According to Customs Service sources, the reason why Ms.
Tischler gets special treatment is because she caught one of her associate
assistant Customs Commissioner's Chuck Winwood (see Chuckles Winwood) in a
"compromising position" with a Customs employee while on the job and receiving
tax payers money.
And in an even more shocking allegation, our government
sources tell us that Ms. Tischler herself was caught having sex with a
government informant who was involved in a narcotics case.
Now further investigation points to the existence of video
tape footage that has been forwarded to Customs Headquarters showing proof of
these allegations. The publisher has additional statements from other current
and former agents -- some of them presently assigned to the Internal Affairs
office. These allegations all speak to the existence of this video tape, and the
editor of customscorruption.com is attempting to acquire a copy as further
proof.
There are now nine corroborating sources reporting to
customscorruption.com in regards to these allegations. They all agree that the
information appearing here is "common knowledge" in that agency. We are still
awaiting a rebuttal (or denial) of any specific allegations from Ms. Tischler.
What kind of role model is Customs purporting to have in Ms.
Tischler?
Is this just another example of how Customs protects it's
managers.
If this is acceptable behavior, then rewrite the "Customs
Table of Offenses" to include ALL Customs Employees and not just Customs
Management.
Everyone in or out of Customs is getting sick and tired of
this double standard! It needs to stop now!
More to come.................
7-19-01
Word just in that Customs Internal Affairs agents are not only
trying to force Customs employees to take a polygraphs in Chicago (see Sweet
Home... Chicago?), but that they are also visiting certain Customs employees
homes to make copies of their personal computer's hard drives.
How much tax payer's money is being spent on this "Witch Hunt"
?
Have they gone Mad or what!?
~Editor~
Customs Headlines:
CLICK HERE FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE U.S. CUSTOMS NEWS
Robert C. Bonner Hearing for New Customs Commissioner U.S.
Customs Service Views Security as Priority
Rudy Camacho is NOT who you think he is.
Camacho is also a named defendant in my civil rights lawsuit.
( 00CV1215 JM (LSP)
Camacho violated my First Amendment Rights back in 1994 for
talking to another retired Customs employee. I was also "ordered" not to talk to
this retired employee. No reason was given except that if I talked to this
employee, it was assumed I was talking to the NEWSMEDIA. Why do you think
Camacho wants to prevent a Customs employee from talking to the newsmedia???
Learn More on the HOT SHEET
Subject: Customs Overtime Money - Costing Rudy Camacho
$100,000.00 - When Deleted was the union steward at DELETED from 1989 to 1990
Deleted filed a grievance on behalf of the inspectors for the TDY money they
were owed under 5USC and the union contract. Read this letter on the Hot Sheet
And Another Letter: "In light of the Promis/Inslaw articles
in Insight Magazine recently, I would like to suggest the possibility of Promis
connection to some of your favorite personalities." Read this letter on the Hot
Sheet
InsightMag.com - PROMIS Trail Leads to Justice
This just in from the White House...
Sweet Home... Chicago?
Miami Herald: Whistle-blower Customs Agent Suspended
Page One | Page Two
"Annonymous" letter written to Senator Charles Grassley?
Page One | Page Two | Page Three | Page Four
Customs employees confront culture of reprisal - 2001-05-07 -
San Antonio Business Journal.
Last Month's The "BOX": Charles "Chuckles" Winwood - It is
obvious "Acting Customs Commissioner" Charles "Chuckles" Winwood does have a
sense of humor after all. I hope he can appreciate these rare photos of himself
while taking part in a "Southwestern" theme luncheon at Customs Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. in 1994. (How come nobody else got the word and "dressed up"
Mr. Winwood?)
http://sanantonio.bcentral.com/sanantonio/stories/2001/03/19/story1.html
http://sanantonio.bcentral.com/sanantonio/stories/2001/03/19/story5.html
Dennis Murphy, assistant commissioner of Customs' Office of
Public Affairs, declined to comment on the case. To read past articles in this
series, go to:
http://sanantonio.bcentral.com/sanantonio/stories/2001/01/22/story1.html
Customs record-fraud charges under review by U.S. Attorney -
2001-03-19
Ex-Customs Agent Says U.S. Ignored Evidence
Former Customs Internal Affairs Assistant Commissioner
Homer J. Williams on trial as scheduled starting Tuesday February 27, 2001 in
Federal Court in the Southern District of California in San Diego. (Later
Acquitted - See Trial Notes in Archive.)
"Secret" Indictment & Arrest Warrant
a..
Page One | Page Two | Page Three | Page Four | Page
Five | Arrest Warrant
Ed Note: (Ongoing Case we covered earlier this year:
Customs official faces perjury counts )
More HEADLINES:
Customs agents accused of abusing power - 2001-01-22 - San
Antonio Business Journal
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Win at all costs
U.S. Rep. Cunningham's Son Charged With Drug Trafficking
Congressional Family Drug Offenders: Escape Mandatory
Sentences, Get Favorable Treatment
News Briefs & Topics: Public Figures & Drugs
Customs Commissioner Steps Down: Raymond W. Kelly farewell
speech
Customs accused of abusing power Whistleblowers claim reports
shredded, drug-bust records made up - BY BILL CONROY
US CA Cocaine Seizures At Border Nearly Double Fiscal 1999
Surprise check uncovers 1,018 pounds of marijuana hidden
beneath five railway cars
"U.S. Customs Overflight List" by John H. Heinrich,
District Director.
John Hensley News Followup
Retired Customs RAC agent Mark Conrad is in the running for
the Customs Commissioner position according to reliable sources.
U.S. Customs Service Admits Drug Corruption
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Document Trail...
Serious Mismanagement and Misconduct in the Treasury
Department, Customs Service, and other Federal Agencies, and the Adequacy of
Efforts to Hold Agency Officials Accountable: This Federal document shows that
the government will do nothing as far as indicting high ranking management with
connections. This former Customs director got off easy just because he retired
immediately after he found out he was under investigation. The case was closed
"administratively" by the Regional OIG, or Treasury Inspector General Western
Region.
a.. Cover Page of Report
b.. Page One of Report
c.. Page Two of Report
d.. Page Three of Report
My Letter to Senator Diane Feinstein regarding "illegal"
overflight list
Illegal Drug Use By Customs Employees - The whole story with
graphic documentation!
Response from Deputy Assistant Attorney General John C. Keeney
to an attorney who represented Customs whistleblowers in San Diego.
Subpoena to appear before Grand Jury - Invitation to briefing
with US Attorney to prepare for Grand Jury testimony.
Rudy M. Camacho Letter to Senator Feinstein regarding John
Carman's whistleblower status. - Here is a letter by Customs CMC Director Rudy
M. Camacho to U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein regarding the retaliation and
whistleblower status of constituent and Customs employee John A. Carman.
Subsequent to that letter and many previous other
communications, Customs fired John Carman on June 19, 1997 for failing to take a
demotion/transfer to a desk job in a "non-law enforcement" capacity NOT related
to his 20 years law enforcement training, background and expertise.
To this date Senator Diane Feinstein has done nothing to
protect Customs whistleblowers. Customs managers continue to retaliate against
Customs whistleblowers.
More FALSE Promises to Customs Agents by U.S Attorney's
Office - This is another example of the LIES by one of Janet Reno's U.S.
Attorney's office requesting information on Customs corruption. Information and
examples of corruption were disclosed in exchange for protection for Customs
whistleblowers who tried to expose corruption in 1994. Protection was never
provided to these whistleblowers. Any of the Customs whistleblowers who talked
to the U.S. Attorney's office were later retaliated against and have received
documented death threats. Even though there are laws that are supposed to
protect whistleblowers, there is no protection under the law for those that try
to do their jobs. ~John Carman
UPDATE: Ex-Customs Service Inspector Sentenced. - This is a
update to a story we covered in September of this year. Go to Original Story
See Also: Additional Online Coverage
--------------------------------------------------------------
Murder, Money & Mexico
Family Tree of Power & Narco-Corruption
Arms Smuggling on the Border
Customs Service's High-Tech Planes Effective Weapon in Drug
War | See Associated Article
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Customs official faces perjury counts
Customs Service Program at Otay Mesa Under Fire
Commissioner George Weise's Letter to Dateline NBC
Customs Corruption Archives
--------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Report Ties Mexican Tycoon to Crime Empire
--------------------------------------------------------------
San Diego Tribune - Caliente Racetrack Owner to stand Trial
--------------------------------------------------------------
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John Carman
P.O. Box 1198
Ramona, California 92065
(Currently Sold Out - Advanced orders for 2nd edition only)
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