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Office of Inspector General |
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| Title: | Owner of Florida Import/Export Company Charged with Illegally Transporting Radioactive Hazardous Materials (HazMat) |
| Date: | August 10, 2005 |
| Type: | Investigation |
| Summary: | On August 10, Harold J. DeGregory, Jr., president of H&G Import Export (H&G), Ft. Lauderdale, FL, was arrested and charged in an eight-count indictment with conspiracy to transport and smuggle in air commerce property containing HazMat, specifically radioactive Iridium-192, from the United States to the Bahamas. Investigation disclosed that on multiple occasions, DeGregory, an FAA-certified pilot, transported Iridium-192 in H&G aircraft between Ft. Lauderdale and the Bahamas, and failed to identify the HazMat cargo on export and import documents, in violation of federal statutes. Iridium-192, an isotope used in industrial radiography, poses public health risks if not properly handled. Neither DeGregory nor H&G are licensed, trained, or certified to handle or transport radioactive HazMat. This ongoing investigation is being conducted jointly with DHS-ICE, with assistance from FAA.
Note: The charges contained in the indictments are allegations and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. |