U.S. Inspectors Find Nothing in Search of Suspicious Tankers

Federal inspectors found nothing Tuesday in a search of two railroad propane tankers they suspected had been used to smuggle drugs or contraband across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Nonetheless, officials said Southern Pacific Railroad faces a $221,000 fine for taking the cars north after border inspectors ordered them held as suspicious. The railroad has 30 days to challenge the civil penalties, said U.S. Customs spokesman Mike Fleming.

The search at a Colton rail yard Tuesday culminated an unusual case that began last Thursday when inspectors at the Calexico border crossing decided the two tankers were suspicious: One weighed 5,200 pounds more than the weight stenciled by the manufacturer on the side of the train; the other was 3,200 pounds overweight and appeared to have been recently painted. Drug cartels have used propane tanker trucks for smuggling in the past.

Inspectors then entered instructions into a computer that the cars remain for further inspection, but--for unknown reasons--railroad workers attached the cars to a Southern Pacific train that left the border checkpoint before inspectors reported to work Friday morning.

Despite losing custody of the two tanker cars for about 22 hours--before they were located in Colton--customs officials said they were confident neither car was tampered with or otherwise unloaded of possible contraband.

After propane fumes were emptied from the tankers, agents inspected the interior and checked for hidden compartments Tuesday. They attributed the additional weight of the cars to normal modifications made after they were manufactured, officials said.