Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ACCRA103
2010-02-02 15:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Accra
Cable title:
GHANA INSTALLS AIRPORT BODY SCANNER; BUSTS
VZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAR #0103 0331542 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021542Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8863
UNCLAS ACCRA 000103
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR GH
SUBJECT: GHANA INSTALLS AIRPORT BODY SCANNER; BUSTS
SMUGGLERS
UNCLAS ACCRA 000103
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR GH
SUBJECT: GHANA INSTALLS AIRPORT BODY SCANNER; BUSTS
SMUGGLERS
1. (U) Summary: On January 12, 2010, Dutch contractor OD
Security completed installation of the INL funded full body
scanner at Accra's international airport (KIA). Officials of
the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) and Ghana Airports
Authority (GAA) were trained, and NACOB now maintains
responsibility for the equipment. INL procured the scanner,
and AFRICOM funded construction of the climate controlled
room to house the machine. NACOB and GAA are screening about
30 departing passengers a day, and within the first two
weeks, officials caught two drug smugglers. End Summary
2. (U) On January 12, 2010, OD Security completed
installation of a USG funded Soter RS x-ray system in one
concourse at KIA. INL purchased the machine and donated it to
NACOB to help stop the flow of illegal drugs leaving Accra's
airport. AFRICOM funded construction of the room specially
designed to house the machine.
3. (SBU) The Soter RS uses low radiation to scan the human
body and within ten seconds reveals any hidden items. NACOB
requested this machine as an alternative to sending
passengers suspected of ingesting drugs to a nearby hospital
to wait for an x-ray. Airport officials can now determine
on-site if a passenger is smuggling contraband.
4. (SBU) Following installation and two days of training,
ten employees of NACOB and GAA are screening about 30
passengers a day with the machine. The screened passengers
are selected based on a profile as a potential smuggler.
Within the first two weeks of operation, two smugglers were
arrested. One passenger was caught when the machine showed
cannabis stuffed in his undershorts; another had ingested
cocaine packets that were detected by the machine.
5. (SBU) GOG officials have asked the USG for a second body
scanner that would be used for screening passengers departing
the VIP lounge and the second concourse.
TEITELBAUM
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR GH
SUBJECT: GHANA INSTALLS AIRPORT BODY SCANNER; BUSTS
SMUGGLERS
1. (U) Summary: On January 12, 2010, Dutch contractor OD
Security completed installation of the INL funded full body
scanner at Accra's international airport (KIA). Officials of
the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) and Ghana Airports
Authority (GAA) were trained, and NACOB now maintains
responsibility for the equipment. INL procured the scanner,
and AFRICOM funded construction of the climate controlled
room to house the machine. NACOB and GAA are screening about
30 departing passengers a day, and within the first two
weeks, officials caught two drug smugglers. End Summary
2. (U) On January 12, 2010, OD Security completed
installation of a USG funded Soter RS x-ray system in one
concourse at KIA. INL purchased the machine and donated it to
NACOB to help stop the flow of illegal drugs leaving Accra's
airport. AFRICOM funded construction of the room specially
designed to house the machine.
3. (SBU) The Soter RS uses low radiation to scan the human
body and within ten seconds reveals any hidden items. NACOB
requested this machine as an alternative to sending
passengers suspected of ingesting drugs to a nearby hospital
to wait for an x-ray. Airport officials can now determine
on-site if a passenger is smuggling contraband.
4. (SBU) Following installation and two days of training,
ten employees of NACOB and GAA are screening about 30
passengers a day with the machine. The screened passengers
are selected based on a profile as a potential smuggler.
Within the first two weeks of operation, two smugglers were
arrested. One passenger was caught when the machine showed
cannabis stuffed in his undershorts; another had ingested
cocaine packets that were detected by the machine.
5. (SBU) GOG officials have asked the USG for a second body
scanner that would be used for screening passengers departing
the VIP lounge and the second concourse.
TEITELBAUM