This page will be updated with session descriptions as necessary.

National Impact of Southern Border Violence

Presenter, Brenda Fiegel

The presentation is tentatively titled, “An Open Source Look at Mexico Since 2006.”  This presentation will focus on changes in Mexico since Felipe Calderon became President in 2006.  It will also focus on the increased violence levels and the modus operandi of organized crime groups in Mexico to include current weapons systems that they possess.  Finally, it will touch on how these organized crime groups have used societal elements to further their agenda, hence, involving Mexican citizens and foreign gang members in their operations.

Overview of Sandia National Laboratories Contribution to Border Issues

Presenter, Jason Reinhardt

Sandia National Laboratories has a significant role in the technical aspects of border monitoring and control for decades. This role draws upon expertise in sensing technologies, physical security, and systems analysis developed as part of its mission as science and engineering laboratory for the nations nuclear weapons complex. This talk will briefly review SNL’s contributions to border monitoring and control missions, discuss some of the current efforts in this area, and lay out potential concepts and approaches for the future.

Legal Framework for Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Presenter, Clifford M. Rees, JD

This presentation will focus on the basics of public health emergency preparedness law; and legal issues arising in a public health emergency.  An overview will be provided of the legal bases for federal and state jurisdiction over public health emergency responses, with an emphasis on newly-enacted New Mexico public health emergency preparedness statutes. A scenario will be presented to apply applicable law to twelve practical questions that may arise during a public health emergency, including what constitutes a public health emergency, can persons be examined and tested, treated and vaccinated, isolated and quarantined, whether an evacuation can be forced,  how health facilities and health care supplies can be utilized, how non-governmental personnel can be deployed and provided liability protection, who pays for the expenses related to the public health emergency and how a declaration of public health emergency is terminated.

Transnational Gang Panel - Barrio Azteca

Presenter , Louis Casale

Louis will provide an overview of the Barrio Azteca Prison Gang. The briefing will focus on the threat posed to the United States by Barrio Azteca by examining its intentions and capabilities. Issues covered include, but are not limited to, background, cross-border activity, ties to Mexican DTOs, alliances, adversaries, organization, communication, intelligence and security. 

The Radical Islamic Bomb - A Threat to the Homeland?

Presenter, Dr. Gary Richter

The presentation will cover the attributes of threat devices, both nuclear explosive devices and radiological dispersal devices. Among other things it will present basic information on the mass, size, and visual signature of threat devices as well as an explanation of the relative dangers posed by various devices.  He will also discuss nuclear weapons security as it pertains to radiological/nuclear risk estimation. 

Law Enforcement's Role in Radiological Response and Awareness

Presenter, David Binder

David Binder will discuss the preventative radiological/detection mission, as well as discuss the history, function, and capabilities of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO).  He will also discuss how DNDO can assist state and local agencies develop programs to detect and apprehend those in possession of, or trafficking in illicit radiological/nuclear materials. 

Radiation Portal Efforts on the Border Presenter, Mark Rowley

The New Mexico Motor Transportation Police have implemented a Preventive Radiological Nuclear Detection (PRND) program at the Anthony Port of Entry in southern New Mexico in an effort to detect and deter illegal attempts of transporting nuclear or radiological materials into New Mexico using commercial motor vehicles.   The methodology utilized for radiological detection employs both primary and secondary screening while at the same time ensuring that traffic flow through the facility is not unreasonably delayed.

Primary screening is accomplished by commercial vehicles passing through a four (4) panel PVT scintillation RPM with He3 tubes for both gamma photon and neutron detection.  Vehicles that give a primary gamma and/or neutron alarm are directed to a secondary RPM for further screening.  The secondary RPM consists of eight (8) HPGe semiconductor detectors which have excellent energy resolution and provide spectra that can be used for single and mixed radionuclide identification.  Unresolved and suspicious spectra can be quickly transmitted to secondary reachback for analysis and subsequent threat assessment.  All vehicles that alarm the primary RPM will be sent to the secondary RPM for further screening.  The collection of spectral data from every radiation alarm will allow DPS to get a better picture of what is being transported in commerce (NORM, TENORM, etc.) and allow officers to further investigate those alarms that appear to be out of the ordinary.  Officers are also equipped with NaI(Tl) and LaBr3 handheld scintillation detectors to collect spectra on those vehicles that cannot pass through the RPMs and to search for and locate radiological materials in box trailers and cargo containers. 

Primary gamma and neutron detection RPMs have also been installed at the Gallup and San Jon ports of entry on Interstate 40.  The agency is in the process of upgrading these RPMs with new control boxes and software to facilitate the detection and location of the alarming material.   The agency recently acquired a handheld HPGe semiconductor detector that will be utilized at the Gallup POE as a secondary screening tool until funding can be obtained to procure another standalone HPGe secondary RPM for this facility.   Future primary and secondary RPMs, contingent upon funding, are planned to be installed at the Santa Teresa and Lordsburg ports of entry.