State briefs

Xray machine for drugs

SAN ANTONIO A massive Xray machine capable of searching an entire
tractortrailer for drugs will be unveiled in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
next week.

The U.S. Customs Service has already made one big drug catch while trying
out the $3.4 million machine and started a controversy at the same time.
The CargoSearch can also detect explosives, firearms and stowaways that
normal Xray machines do not.

The hightech devices take about seven minutes to scan a big rig's cargo
and hunt for contraband stashed in walls, tires and fuel tanks. The
vehicles are pulled by chain through the housing unit, which looks like a
giant carwash.

A ribboncutting is scheduled Nov. 14 at the international bridge south of
Pharr. Four more Xray units will be set up in South Texas over the next
two years. They will be set up at Laredo, El Paso and at the new Los
Tomates bridge under construction at Brownsville.