Computers, Weapons Reported Missing at US Custom Service

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 09, 2002

Computers, Weapons Reported Missing at US Custom Service

A total of 2,251 computers and 72 weapons have been lost or stolen from the U.S. Customs Service over the last three years, according to an internal audit report released Thursday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

A total of 2,251 computers and 72 weapons have been lost or stolen from the U.S. Customs Service over the last three years, according to an internal audit report released Thursday.

"Each of these items poses a threat to national security, public safety or ongoing investigations, if lost or stolen," the report said.

The audit report by the Treasury Department's inspector generalwas completed Monday and a heavily edited copy was released Thursday by Democrat Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who had requested the audit.

Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill on Thursday, criticizing the department for not releasing the audit report publicly.

Since the September 11 terror attack, the Customs Service, an agency under the Treasury Department, has shifted its primary mission from detecting smuggled drugs to preventing terrorists from entering the United States.

The audit report said the Customs Service will begin annual inventories from this year of its computers and will take steps tokeep better track of badges and credentials.

The report came three days after an internal audit report by the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General revealed thatthe Federal Bureau of Investigation and four other agencies under the Justice Department jurisdiction have reported 775 missing or stolen weapons and 400 missing laptop computers.

Some of the weapons were believed to have been used in crimes and the missing laptop computers might have been used to process and store national security or sensitive law enforcement information, said the Justice Department report.

On Wednesday, a military spokesman said two computers are missing from the Florida headquarters of the US Central Command, which is directing the US military operation in Afghanistan.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Experts Reject 'China Threat' Theory ( 94 Messages)

HK Financial Secretary Confirmed Marriage with Chinese Diving Queen ( 30 Messages)

Christian Designs Found in Tomb Stones of Eastern Han Dynasty ( 77 Messages)

China's High-tech Development Geared to Marketable Industries ( 16 Messages)

Missing Chinese Girl Found Safe in US East Coast ( 44 Messages)

WTO Chief Says China is a Responsible Member ( 20 Messages)