27 May 2004

Container stolen from Port of Halifax

The following article is excerpted from “globeandmail.com” on 27 May 2004.

Police are investigating a serious breach of security at the Port of Halifax that allowed thieves to make off … with a 13-metre-long container with an unidentified cargo.

Halifax Regional Police spokesman Sergeant Donald Spicer confirmed yesterday that the container was stolen from the Cerescorp terminal in late April. He would not say what police believe was in the container, how it left the port or where it came from.

But Sgt. Spicer emphasized that investigators don't believe the cargo poses a danger to the public.

The theft is an embarrassment to the Halifax Port Authority, which has been increasing security measures since the terrorist attack on the United States three years ago. Last month, three federal cabinet ministers came to Halifax to announce a $115-million program for surveillance cameras, better communications equipment and improved fencing at Canada's ports. No mention of the container theft was made at that time.

Two years ago, a Senate committee examining ports across the country criticized marine security, saying that drug smuggling and theft rings were active in major centres such as Halifax, Montreal and Vancouver.

U.S. officials have also expressed concern that terrorists could capitalize on lax security in Canadian ports to smuggle in weapons and communications equipment to stage an attack.

Senator Colin Kenny, who chaired the committee, said in an interview yesterday that thefts are a regular occurrence at ports in Canada and the United States and there is concern that organized crime groups are active in ports….

A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said yesterday that police are investigating the theft and the agency would not comment on security issues.

Michele Peveril, spokesperson for the Halifax Port Authority, acknowledged that the agency can't do anything to prevent similar thefts in the future until police determine how the container was stolen.

She said containers have to go through several security checkpoints to be allowed to leave a terminal….