VideoRay Release Details of Drug Interdiction in Jamaica
Massive Marijuana Cache found Bolted to Hull of US-Bound Freighter
Additional photos
Phoenixville, PA - April 18, 2006
VideoRay LLC of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA, and Securities Administrators Ltd. (http://www.securityadministrators.com.jm) of Kingston, Jamaica today released further details of the discovery and capture of an attempted shipment of millions of dollars worth of marijuana in December, 2005. The drugs, encased in aluminum containers and bolted to the bow thrusters of an unsuspecting cargo ship bound for the United States, were discovered in a routine underwater inspection using a VideoRay underwater robot.
The VideoRay Pro 3 used was recently upgraded to VideoRay’s new GTO, or Greater Thrust Option propulsion. The VideoRay operator was able to rapidly move throughout the underside of the hull and inspect likely hiding places. The drug cases were spotted through the bow thruster tunnel from pier side of the ship, and the operator rapidly flew underneath the hull to the far side and identified the contraband. The high resolution video showed exactly how the cases were bolted to the thruster grates, allowing divers from the local police to bring the proper tools and remove them rapidly. The VideoRay provided light for the divers, and monitored their work as they unbolted the containers.
This is just the latest of several smuggling attempts that have been thwarted by Security Administrators, using VideoRays. The VideoRay remotely operated vehicles replaced human divers in 2002, proving to be much faster and safer for this job. Some divers who found drugs in the past had been murdered by the vicious drug smugglers.
Security Administrators plan to spread the VideoRay technology throughout the Caribbean as a key tool in improving port security and counter smuggling operations.
VideoRay now has far more Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in service around the world than any manufacturer, and is delivering additional ROVs at an increasing rate. Weighing just 8 pounds and starting at $5995 USD, VideoRays can be equipped with sonar, positioning systems or other accessories, and are used for underwater surveys, offshore inspections, search and recovery, homeland defense, science, fish farming and a range of applications in underwater environments. In August, the General Services Administration (GSA) awarded VideoRay a contract to supply vehicles to the US government, making it easier and faster for many agencies to acquire one. See http://www.videoray.com/GSA for more information.
For further information:
Chris Gibson chris.gibson@videoray.com
Director, Sales & Marketing
VideoRay LLC
Phone: 610.458.3000 x204
www.videoray.com
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