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| ‘Serious security breakdown’ at Exxon’s depot: 15 illegal aliens nabbed |
| 2006-07-01 |
| The U.S. Coast Guard shut down the highly volatile ExxonMobil fuel depot in Everett for most of the day yesterday for a “serious security breakdown” after 15 illegal immigrants were arrested while working for a contractor of the worldwide petroleum giant, officials said. The illegal aliens, all from Ecuador, were hired to clean up hazardous materials near ExxonMobil storage tanks that hold gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene and other volatile materials. They were arrested after failing to check in with security while attempting to access equipment they had stored next door at Distrigas, which operates a terminal containing potentially explosive liquefied natural gas. “There was a serious security breakdown” at the ExxonMobil facility, said Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Scott Carr, adding that “all operations” were suspended until the company complies with security regulations. The company was allowed to resume operations by 9 p.m. last night after presenting the captain of the port with a new security plan. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Homeland Security officials have been on edge about fuel shipments through Boston Harbor that could cause catastrophic casualties in the event of an attack. Most public attention has focused on the Distrigas LNG tankers, which steam into the harbor under heavily armed sea and air security and dock at the company’s Everett facility on the Mystic River. Carr praised Everett police and Distrigas for preventing the workers from getting on the company’s property. |
| Posted by:lotp |