Sting Operation Nets Arrest At Port Of Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A three-day sting turned up dozens of violations and one arrest at the Port of Baltimore.

Gigi Barnett reports state troopers teamed up with several police agencies to catch drivers hauling illegal and dangerous cargo.

Baltimore's port is a gateway to the city, a massive destination for goods worth millions and an open door for illegal or dangerous cargo.

This week, Maryland State Troopers spearheaded a three-day sting with Homeland Security and several other police agencies just to see what's coming in and out of Baltimore.

"Just the mere size of the port is one problem that we have. Roadways coming out of the port. You can go north, south, east or west," said Sgt. Marc Black, Maryland State Police.

So troopers set up a checkpoint along I-95 in Cecil County, inspecting drivers, their vehicles and the cargo inside. It was a chance for agents and officers to streamline strategies and pool resources to find what they were looking for.

"When you have an operation like this, communication with different agencies can be a concern. So we worked those difficulties out, working the kinks out, so in the future we can do it even better," Black said.

Many truck drivers say they check and double check their cargo, making sure it's safe.

"I'm not that concerned about it. If they're carrying hazardous material, they're supposed to be permitted to carry it," said Roland Eggert, truck driver.

During the sting, officers inspected at least 100 cargo vehicles. They found 30 with violations and arrested one fugitive from Virginia.

Troopers say the sting could become a model for other agencies to target illegal cargo at ports across the country.

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