Radiation Scanners Placed on Bridges to Mexico

Scanners to detect radioactive and nuclear material are being placed on the four bridges between Brownsville, Texas, and Mexico, the Associated Press reported yesterday (see GSN, March 3).

Each radiation portal monitor costs about $280,000. They have already been installed in numerous U.S. seaports and border crossings with Mexico, AP reported.

“The plan is to deploy them everywhere,” said Barry Morrissey, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “What we’re interested in are basically terror weapons.”

Monitors to date have only detected peaceful materials, including bananas, stone tiles and medical equipment, AP reported (Associated Press/WOAI.com, March 30).

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