By John Myers Jr. Staff ReporterTHE NEWLY installed mobile Gamma Ray container inspection machines are already reaping results in the seizure of at least one illegal car and a cache of car parts, among other items at Port Bustamante.
Yesterday, James Forbes, Port Authority of Jamaica vice president in charge of security, confirmed the seizure, a day after the machines were officially commissioned into use.
"Yes we have seized a number of items to include motor vehicles... suffice it to say (we have seized) vehicle and vehicle parts," he told The Gleaner.
Mr. Forbes was reluctant to divulge too much information, as investigations into the seizures are on-going and at a delicate stage.
However, information to The Gleaner is that the car in question was a top of the line luxury vehicle.
ARRESTS
The Port Security Corp head said the other contraband which were detected are mostly "unmanifested stuff". He also confirmed that a number of persons have been arrested in connection with the seizures.
Supt. Forbes said the machines, since they were put into operation in February, have been extremely efficient in detecting contraband at the ports.
"We are very satisfied with their performance," he remarked.
At the official commissioning of the machines on Tuesday, Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Transport and Works with responsibility for the ports, underscored the achievements of the new security systems, stating that the Government stands to benefit substantially from their installation.
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Government has heightened security at the island's ports of entry and exit, spending over US$60 million so far.
The new machines, including five mobile Gamma Ray and five Pallet Gamma Ray inspection machines, were acquired at a cost of US$13.3 million through an agreement with US security manufacturing firm, Science Application International Corporation (SAIC).
