The U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently announced the installation of of a Multi-Energy Portal (MEP), a Non-Intrusive Inspection device for commercial vehicles, at the Laredo, Texas Sector Border Patrol on Interstate 35.
The release of the MEP at the Border Patrol Checkpoint incorporates advanced technology to meet the safety of the traveling public while facilitating and expediting trade, according to a statement from the agency.
The MEP is an x-ray machine that is used to enhance inspections of commercial vehicles through heavy shielding, thus providing a safe and expedited examination, the agency said. The system is able to scan more than 150 containers per hour in the typical flow of traffic at the checkpoint.
CBP employs an in-depth, layered enforcement strategy to stop illegal activity, including narcotics smuggling, at U.S. borders. CBP said it continues to use all of its available resources including non-intrusive technology as part of what it called a "layered enforcement strategy" to detect drugs.
