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In Miami, Florida, Officials Find What May be Achilles Heel of Homeland Security

Aired August 21, 2002 - 12:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: After September 11th, the threat of terrorist attack prompted tighter security around the nation, but in Miami, Florida, officials found what may be the Achilles Heel of homeland security.
CNN's Mark Potter reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After September 11th, law enforcement officials tighten security for Miami's cruise industry, and increase cargo searches at the port of Miami.

Now they've turned their attention to a more difficult problem, involving freighters and a river that flows through the heart of the city.

BOBBY RUTHERFORD, U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE: The nightmare scenario for me is some type of weapon of mass destruction arriving on one of these freighters, and detonating right here, or getting through us, past us on the border, and into the interior of the United States.

POTTER: At issue is the Miami River, which runs more than five miles from near the International Airport to downtown; 1,200 freighters a year dock along this heavily populated area, carrying more than a million and half tons of cargo. Maintaining security here is very difficult.

RUTHERFORD: It's not an organized port. There is no port authority here. There are several different political jurisdictions, and each of the terminals along this river is privately owned.

POTTER: For decades, the Miami River has be a haven for smugglers. Seizures of cocaine, heroine, drug money and weapons are common. Recently, three cargo containers arrived with illegal immigrants inside. Law enforcement officials fear terrorists could easily use these long establish routes to smuggle weapons or people.

SAM WINKOWKSI, U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE: In a lot of cases, it's all about money, it's all about money, and it's about greed, and you throw that combination in with the right person, you can get it aboard one of these ships, I assure you.

POTTER: Coast Guard says one such attempt may have been rebuffed by a Miami River freighter crew, who reported it to authorities.

CAPT. JAMES WATSON, U.S. COAST GUARD: People have approached them that they suspect may have some terrorist links.

POTTER (on camera): To do what?

WATSON: Well, to just get into the country.

POTTER: In addition, federal investigators have uncovered what they say was a two-year scheme here on the Miami River, to print and use phony maritime documents to smuggle hundreds or more people into the United States.

(voice-over): the documents cost $400 to $1,500 and include fraudulent shipping company letters, seeking crewmen from Central America and the Caribbean to work on ships in Miami.

POTTER: What do these people typically do once they get here, having arrived that way, using initially using the phony letter.

TIMOTHY ROLISON, U.S. COAST GUARD INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE: They disappear into the community.

POTTER (on camera): They don't work on the ships.

ROLISON: Not generally.

POTTER: Since September 11th, law enforcement officials have increased their presence on the river, have worked out agreements with company owners to tighten security, and have focused on terrorism.

But agents say parts of the river are still wide open and vulnerable. A potential hole in the nation's security net.

Mark Potter, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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