see also: in December 2005 Press Releases:   New SENTRI/Dedicated Commuter Lane to Open at Calexico/Mexicali Port of Entry Thursday   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Homicide Suspect   CBP Border Patrol Agent Saves Two Mexican Nationals From Drowning   U.S. Joins Revised World Customs Organization Convention   One Ton of Marijuana Seized at Nogales Port of Entry   Another Child Smuggling Arrest at Hidalgo Port   CBP Border Patrol Seizes Over a Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Miami- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that a two-day multi-agency law enforcement operation conducted by the Cargo Security Task Force at Miami International Airport (MIA) targeting cargo destined for domestic and international passenger planes culminated Thursday evening. The inspection of more than 350 cargo trucks and four commercial airline warehouses yielded numerous arrests, violations and fines.

The inspections led to the arrest of a commercial truck driver that resisted arrest when officers discovered that he was driving his eighteen-wheeler under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Three additional criminal arrests were made for various driving violations.

Four violations of improperly packaged materials were discovered. Among the most alarming items discovered were radioactive materials. A fuel truck was taken out of service and removed from the airport for having a severely dangerous fire prevention system.

Fifty-two fines totaling approximately $17,500 were levied for safety and licensing violations and 19 commercial trucking vehicles were taken out of service. Three individuals were found in violation of immigration law.

“The results of this multi-agency effort speak volumes to the collaborative spirit in the law enforcement community here in South Florida to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” said Jesus Torres, special agent-in-charge of ICE in Miami. “Those who are in the business of cargo transportation need to know that they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law for violations related to passenger planes. There is no room for error when people’s lives are at stake.”

“Those who think that they can circumvent our security standards should think twice,” said Thomas S. Winkowski, director of field operations for CBP in Miami. “CBP will continue working with its DHS partners, as well as state and local law enforcement, in our mission to protect our nation.”

The operation was carried out by the Cargo Security Task Force whose primary mission is to identify and neutralize potential public and national security threats relating to cargo transported on passenger planes. This operation was the result of a collaborative effort between, ICE, CBP, the Miami Police Department (MDPD); the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP); the Florida Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Enforcement; the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); the Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Inspector General; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Hazardous Materials Field Unit; the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.

Mr. Torres and Mr. Winkowski praised the efforts of all participating agencies.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation’s borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, Agriculture Inspectors, and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.