Port of Miami: Ghost Source Interdiction
CBP intercepted a Troxler moisture density gauge with a license expired for 12 years — a 'ghost source' that had fallen completely outside regulatory tracking.
| Date | February 4–6, 2026 |
| Location | Port of Miami, Florida, USA |
| Incident Type | Orphan Source / Border Interdiction |
| Source | Cs-137 (8 mCi) + Am-241:Be (40 mCi) in Troxler Model 3411B gauge |
| Confidence | 5/5 — NRC Event Report 58153 |
What Happened
CBP officers at the Port of Miami intercepted a vehicle carrying a Troxler Model 3411B moisture density gauge outside its Type A transport case. The driver was detained.
Florida Bureau of Radiation Control seized the device. A database check revealed the gauge's specific license had expired 12 years ago. This was a "ghost source" — orphaned from regulatory oversight for over a decade.
Operational Lessons
Unshielded transport exposes the public and officers. A moisture density gauge relies on its transport case for distance shielding and labeling. The Am-241:Be source also emits neutron flux. CBP's detection confirms their RPMs have active neutron detection capability (He-3 or B-10 tubes).
Regulatory "sunset" procedures have gaps. How does a source go untracked for 12 years? This points to a failure in tracking assets when companies go out of business. Regulators need more aggressive audit procedures during bankruptcy and dissolution of construction firms that hold gauge licenses.
Officer training validated. Frontline officers recognized the physical profile of the gauge (handle, index rod, yellow housing) even without labeled packaging. This validates training programs that teach device recognition beyond manifest review.