Doubling Of U.S. Customs Agents

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 19

Doubling Of U.S. Customs Agents

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, December 5. The Agency for International Development is virtually doubling its force of United States Customs agents at Vietnamese ports in an effort to cut losses in its 400-million-dollar commercial import programme, the Associated Press reports.

Agency officials said it was part of an over-all effort to gain better control over the large volume of goods flowing into Vietnam. A survey last month dis-

closed heavy losses, ranging to 20 per cent or more in some areas, as a result of pilferage, corruption, black marketeering and other illicit operations. An earlier Congressional sub-committee reported similar findings. While some officials dispute the size of the losses, almost all agreed that the rapid increase in the commodity import programme—from 150 million dollars in 1965 to 398 million dollars in 1966—had offered wide opportunity for abuses. An agency spokesman said the United States aim "is to make it too expensive now for illicit operators to take advantage of the programme.” Under a joint arrangement with the United States Customs service, a total of 25 senior, hand-picked Customs men would be working for the agency by the end of this year on the docks at Saigon, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Qui Nohn and Nha Trang.

Gaol RioL—About 300 prisoners at Rocky Butte gaol in Multnomah County rioted last night and held three guards hostage.—Portland (Oregon), Dec. 5. V