Terrorists / Criminals have exploited ports Terrorists / Criminals have exploited ports in order to cause the detrimental in order to cause the detrimental economic, political, and psychological economic, political, and psychological effects.effects.

““There are indications that alThere are indications that al--Qaida intends to intensify operations against Qaida intends to intensify operations against maritime targets and increase strikes against shipping and port maritime targets and increase strikes against shipping and port facilities as facilities as

part of a strategy to strike economic targets.part of a strategy to strike economic targets.””New York State Office of Homeland Security Focus Report New York State Office of Homeland Security Focus Report –– Maritime Terrorist ThreatMaritime Terrorist Threat

USS COLEUSS COLE

October 12, 2000: 17 Dead / 39 WoundedSmall vessel packed with explosives

Largest port of import in U.S.

$149 Billion (import / export)

Major Fuel Hub

10th largest port in world

Most petroleum products in US

Individuals engaged in criminal or terrorist activity will often display patterns of

behavior and engage in specific actions which are intentionally designed to

conceal, disguise, or divert attention away from their true criminal intentions.

•• SurveillanceSurveillance•• ElicitationElicitation•• Tests of securityTests of security•• Acquiring suppliesAcquiring supplies•• Suspicious persons out Suspicious persons out

of placeof place•• Dry run/Trial RunDry run/Trial Run•• Deploying assetsDeploying assets