Harbor Police News

MTF and Harbor Police Arrest Subjects, MTF Seizes 4800 lbs. of Marijuana

San Diego Harbor Police assisted members of the Immigratrion Customs Enforcement (ICE) Marine Task Force in the seizure of almost five thousand pounds of Marijuana.  The marijuana was seized from a vessel that was towed to the Harbor Police Dock in order to clear customs, after it had broken down in Mexican waters.  Harbor Police Officers conducted a felony vehicle stop on a group of four alleged associates on Shelter Island Drive as part of the operation.  The operator of the vessel as well as the four occupants of the vehicle were turned over to ICE agents. 

 The estimated street value of the marijuana was about two million dollars. 

 See the NBC 7/39 Video:  http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=276607

Explosion at Hilton Hotel

Re-Posted from an article by Union Tribune Reporters Jeff McDonald, Tanya Sierra and Ronald W. Powell on May 20 -

A deafening boom, plumes of smoke and debris raining from a downtown high-rise. In the moments following an explosion yesterday afternoon at a San Diego hotel construction site, first responders and witnesses feared the blast was the handiwork of a serial bomber or terrorist.

Officials immediately cordoned off the area around the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel, and arson and bomb squad investigators were called to the scene. By evening, authorities said the eruption was caused by natural gas that leaked inside the hotel.

Harbor Police Officers Honored

Two Harbor Police officers have been honored for saving the life of a man who plunged from the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge into San Diego Bay. Honored with Life Saving Commendations at the April 8 Board of Port Commissioners meeting was Corporal David Marshall and Officer Brad Wiebke. The rescue was part of a chase of a suspect by police officers from other agencies.

Enrollment Center for Security Credential Opens in San Diego

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has opened a center that issues identification cards to people who need unescorted access to the Port of San Diego’s marine terminals.  The card ensures that workers have gone through a thorough background check and are not a security threat.

TWIC, or Transportation Worker’s Identification Credential, is a program managed by the DHS and will be mandatory as of September 2008.

Shipping Containers Leaving Port of San Diego Screened By Customs & Border Protection

More than 400 containers per week leaving the Port's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal are being scanned for terrorist weapons. United States Customs and Border Protection installed the detectors at the terminal as part of its nationwide effort to detect radiological and nuclear weapons.