Was a ‘weapon of mass effect’ found in San Diego?

Al Hallor being interviewed by Channel 10News reporter Mitch Blacher.

Editor: A recent Channel 10News interview with a port security official raises questions whether a “weapon of mass effect” has been found in San Diego.  Assistant San Diego Port Director, Col. Al Hallor, was interviewed by reporter Mitch Blacher last week, and during the interview, Hallor admitted that a “weapon of mass effect” had been found by “partner agencies” in the San Diego area. This partial and incomplete admission was picked up by Britain’s media, and here it is:

By David Gardner / MailOnline United Kingdom / February 14, 2011

A port official has admitted that a ‘weapon of mass effect’ has been found by ‘partner agencies’ in the U.S., raising major questions over a possible government cover-up.

The disturbing revelation came in an interview with San Diego’s assistant port director screened by a television channel in the city.

The Customs and Border Protection Department tried to dampen speculation over his remarks, but doubts remained over whether he had inadvertently revealed a dirty bomb plot to attack the U.S. mainland.

Concern over a secret WMD bust came after U.S. cables made public by the Wikileaks whistleblower website revealed terror groups were plotting a ‘nuclear 911.’

In the interview screened by San Diego’s 10News, Al Hallor, assistant San Diego port director, said ‘weapons of mass effect’ had been found, although he did not specify exactly where or what they were.

Reporter Mitch Blacher asked Mr Hallor: ‘Do you ever find things that are dangerous like a chemical agent or a weaponised device?’

‘At the airport, seaport, at our port of entry we have not this past fiscal year, but our partner agencies have found those things,’ the customs official replied.

‘So, specifically, you’re looking for the dirty bomb? You’re looking for the nuclear device?’ asked Mr Blacher.

‘Correct. Weapons of mass effect,’ said Mr Hallor.

‘You ever found one?’ asked Mr Blacher.

‘Not at this location,’ Mr Hallor said.

‘But they have found them?’ asked Mr Blacher.

‘Yes,’ said Mr Hallor.

‘You never found one in San Diego though?’ Mr Blacher asked.

‘I would say at the port of San Diego we have not,’ Mr Hallor said.

‘Have you found one in San Diego?’ Mr Blacher asked.

The interview was then interrupted and cut short by a public relations official before Mr Hallor was able to answer the question.

San Diego’s Customs and Border Protection agency was unavailable for comment today.

Earlier, Mr Hallor told Mr Blacher: ‘Potentially every city in America is a target. Given the waterways and the access to the Navy fleet here, I’d say, absolutely, San Diego is a target.

‘Our overall arching mission is to protect the American homeland against terrorists and from weapons of mass effect from entering the country. We are the guardians of America’s borders.’

He was explaining how the port checks cargo ships arriving at the port. He suggested the customs ‘partner agencies’ may have found the ‘weapons of mass effect.’

Former Secret Service agent and airline security director Glen Winn told 10News Mr Hallor’s comments appeared to be credible.

‘This person was, I believe, knowledgeable, has a very important position with the port and the government and as such has that knowledge,’ he said.

‘You posed some very serious questions as to security gaps and discoveries that perhaps have taken place in this area.

‘I want to know how many and where did you find them so if I’m in that area, driving around and I see something that is out of place, I make a phone call,’ he added.

But 10News said a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security told them Mr Hallor was ‘just nervous’ in the interview and ‘mis-spoke’.

The spokesman denied officials said weapons of mass destruction had never been found in the U.S.- but would not answer questions about dirty bombs or chemical weapons.

After the interview, the Customs and Border Protection department in San Diego issued a statement denying it had dealt with any nuclear-related smuggling attempts.

‘CBP has not specifically had any incidents with nuclear devices or nuclear materials at our ports of entry,’ it said.

‘CBP is an all-threats agency. The purpose of many security measures is to prevent threats from ever materializing by being prepared for them.

‘And, we must be prepared to stop threats in whatever form they do materialise at the border, whether it’s an individual or cargo arriving by land, air, or sea.

‘Regardless of what the contraband or threat is, we’re being smart, evaluating, and focusing in on anything or anyone that is potentially high-risk.’

No WMDs have ever been smuggled into the US, or, a least, none have been disclosed.

There were reports more than six years ago that al Qaeda was planning to try and sneak a bomb through a secret tunnel into Arizona from northern Mexico, although it was never substantiated. Just last year, a 2,200 ft cross-border drugs tunnel was discovered in San Diego, complete with lighting and ventilation.]

Go to the Channel 10News story for the raw video of the interview.