Customs played a multi-faceted role in the security preparations for Super Bowl Sunday. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has jurisdiction for Qualcomm Stadium, where this year's Super Bowl was played. They coordinated security for the event with the National Football League (NFL) and a number of other local and federal agencies. An event of this magnitude requires a daunting amount of advance preparation. The SDPD received support from the FBI, which served as the lead Federal agency for the event. NFL security asked the agency to participate in providing security measures for the event.

Trucks entering the mobile VACIS to scan for possible contraband.

Ground support
Starting on January 19 and working through game day, Contraband Enforcement Team (CET) members began providing pre-game support by screening vehicles entering the secured area of Qualcomm stadium. Daily, a team of two inspectors and a supervisor from the San Diego office worked to coordinate security with National Football League representatives.

CET team members set up a mobile platform vehicle and cargo inspection system (VACIS), brought in from Tecate, to scan delivery trucks. These scanners use gamma ray technology to detect possible contraband including explosives and weapons. Inspectors worked each morning until noon and scanned more than 1815 vehicles, including trucks, cars, and buses entering the stadium for the Super Bowl.

Law enforcement's prominent presence and the visibility of screening equipment was a deterrent to any attempt to bring in prohibited or potentially dangerous materials. The screening techniques resulted in the discovery of a handgun slated for delivery to another customer. The SDPD was notified and held the weapon until after the driver made his Super Bowl delivery.

Air space support
The Air and Marine Interdiction Division provided air space support for the game. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) was implemented within a seven-mile radius of Qualcomm Stadium up to an altitude of 18,000 feet. TFRs, commonly known as "no-fly zones," are controlled sectors over significant areas or events.

The role of our officers was to detect and interdict any aircraft that violated the TFR. Two Cessna Citation interceptor aircraft and two UH60 Blackhawk apprehension helicopters were used in this effort. These aircraft are especially well suited for tracking small planes and were active during the TFR timeframe on Super Bowl Sunday. Four detection systems specialists (DSS) from the Air-Marine Interdiction Coordination Center (AMICC) augmented the aircraft mission. Two of the DSSs provided support from the Southern California TRACON and two additional DSSs, operating at the coordination center assigned air space surveillance.

The TFR was monitored continuously by AMICC DSSs in the event any aircraft attempted to penetrate the restricted area during the Super Bowl pre- and post-game festivities. During the entire monitoring period only one suspect aircraft was detected entering the no-fly zone. On landing, the SDPD cited the pilot for violating a TFR.

The real deal
Not only were our officers key players in ensuring the safety and security of the event, but we also played an important role in preventing the sale of counterfeit tickets. Our inspectors and Secret Service agent, intercepted forged Super Bowl tickets worth thousands of dollars and prevented the defrauding of unsuspecting football fans.

On Friday morning, inspectors stopped a suspicious car trying to cross into the United States at the Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge west of Niagra Falls, N.Y. Inspectors discovered 232 tickets in the trunk of the car. Authorities arrested two men and seized the car and tickets. U.S. Secret Service contacted the Peel Regional Police, west of Toronto, for assistance.

The NFL tried to thwart counterfeiters by printing Super Bowl tickets on holograph paper that is more difficult to reproduce. "The potential for making money from these tickets was enormous," said Peel police spokesman, Wendy Sims. Police estimated that the street value of the tickets was about $400 each. Sims said that the tickets were "of very good quality."

Peel Police conducted a follow-up investigation that recovered a number of stolen items- vehicle identification numbers, laptop computers, stolen passports, electronic card printers, holograms, and other printing equipment. The U.S. Secret Service took two Ohio residents into custody and charged them with trafficking in counterfeit merchandise. A third man from Misissauga faces a series of forgery charges and one count each of obstructing police and possession of stolen property.

Super Bowl Sunday has passed. However, we should remember that the agency's role in the event ensured that our enjoyment of the game was not diminished by safety or security concerns. Cheers for Customs, the MVP that made game day a success.