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What the GAO foundFor the purposes of this undercover investigation, GAO purchased a small amount of radioactive sources and one secure container used to safely store and transport the material from a commercial source over the telephone. One of GAO's investigators, posing as an employee of a fictitious company located in Wahington, D.C., stated that the purpose of his purchase was to use the radioactive sources to calibrate personal radiation detection pagers. The purchase was not challenged because suppliers are not required to determine whether prospective buyers have legitimate uses for radioactive sources, nor are the suppliers required to ask a buyer to produce an NRC document when purchasing in small quantities. The amount of radioactive sources GAO's investigator sought to purchase did not require an NRC document. Subsequently, the company mailed the radioactive sources to an address in Washington, D.C.(do you feel safe yet)
The radiation portal monitors properly signaled the presence of radioactive material when our two teams of investigators conducted simultaneous border crossings.Our investigators' vehicles were inspected in accordance with most of the CBP policy at both northern and southern borders.
However,GAO's investigators,using counterfeit documents,were able to enter the US with enough radioactive sources in the trunks of their vehicles to make two dirty bombs.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,a dirty bomb is mix of explosives,such as dynamite,with radioactive power or pellets.When the dynamite or other explosives are set off,the blast carries radioactive material into the surrounding area.The direct costs of cleanup and indirect losses in trade and business in the contamated areas could be large.Hence,dirty bombs are generally considered to be weapons of mass disruption instead of weapons of mass destrution.GAO investigators were able to successfully represent as employees of a fictitious company present a counterfeit bill lading and counterfeit NRC document during the secondary insections at both locations.The CBP inspectors never questioned the authenticity of the investigators'counterfeit bill of lading or the counterfeit NRC document authorizing them to receive,acquire,possess, and tranfer radioactive sources.
Now Rove ,Bush and Cheney tell you we are protecting you and the rubber stamp Republican Congress does nothing to protect you or your family. Do You Feel Save Yet.
http:http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0694thigh.pdf
