POTENTIAL USES OF THE TREASURY ENFORCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (TECS) IN THE SUPPRESSION OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, SKYJACKING, AND NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING (FROM PROJECT SEARCH - INTL SYMP, 2D, 1974 - SEE NCJ-25660)

• NCJ Number: 25725
• Author(s): A G BERGESEN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 3 pages
• Grant Number(s): 73-SS-99-3312; 75-SS-99-6007
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: SEARCH Group Inc.
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS SYSTEM, OPERATING UNDER THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, PROVIDES A CENTRAL REPOSITORY OF TREASURY ENFORCEMENT RECORDS AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE SWITCHING CAPABILITY LINKING HEADQUARTERS AND ALL FIELD OFFICERS.

Abstract

THIS SYSTEM ALSO PROVIDES AN INTERFACE TO THE FBI'S NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION CENTER AND COMPUTERIZED CRIMINAL HISTORY FILES, A LICENSE PLATE QUERY SYSTEM AT PRIMARY INSPECTION POINTS, AND A PRIMARY AIRPORT NAME QUERY SYSTEM. THIS ARTICLE GIVES BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE ALONG WITH DETAILS OF A CUSTOMS SERVICE PLAN TO COPE WITH EXTERNALLY INITIATED ACTS OF TERRORISM. THIS PLAN CALLS FOR X-RAY SCREENING OF ALL INCOMING CHECKED OR HOLD BAGGAGE PRIOR TO THE PASSENGER HAVING ACCESS TO IT. THE USE OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION TO MONITOR PASSENGERS AS THEY PROCEED THROUGH THE RAMP AREA INTO THE CUSTOMS AREA; AND THE PLACEMENT OF UNIFORMED, ARMED CUSTOMS PATROL OFFICERS AT BAGGAGE CLAIM AREAS AND OTHER LOCATIONS WITHIN THE PASSENGER HANDLING AREA. THE AUTHOR ALSO SUGGESTS THAT THE CUSTOMS SERVICE USE THE TECS SYSTEM TO SET UP AN INTERNATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON KNOWN AND POTENTIAL TERRORIST GROUPS AND THEIR MEMBERS, SKYJACKERS, AND INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS TRAFFICKERS.