The following information was obtained via e-mail from the
Texas Department of Health Services, Inspection Unit, Radiation Branch (e-mailed text in quotes):
The following is a description of the incident: Unit 10560498/10540094 went out on 02/02/05 at 19:30 hours to a temporary job site. Unit returned to the Laredo, TX facility at 16:53 hours 02/03/05. The Unit was serviced by HES [Halliburton Energy Services] employee checking out at 19:30 hours 02/03/05. The Unit was detained by Border Patrol at Freer check point with ex-employee driving Unit at 23:22 hours 02/03/05. The densometers were inventoried at the time HES recovered the Unit from the Border Patrol.
The densometers that were on the unit were:
Densometer V3C- 131, Isotope Cs- 137, Activity 11.7 [milliCuries] and
Densometer W2C-086, Isotope Cs-137, Activity 11.7 [milliCuries].
After a phone call with the licensee, it turns out that the driver was an ex-employee that went into Halliburton's yard and stole a truck that was later used in an attempt to smuggle contraband thru a Border Patrol check point. The truck never crossed the Texas border. The driver was arrested after Border Patrol agents were alerted to the truck and Halliburton was immediately notified of the theft of the truck. They [HES] then sent someone to claim the vehicle and the sources. [State of Texas Department of Health] has requested a copy of the police report.
Texas Incident Number I-8215.