Undercover Report – Case File 46-77
Agent: Ellis (cover identity)
Date: 11/08 – 11/11

Subject supervises a container‑yard subcontractor with access to high‑value import bays. Agent entered as a crane‑operator trainee assigned to night shifts. On 11/09, subject instructed the crew to reposition a forty‑footer from the manifest queue to an unnumbered slot behind the scrap pile. The container seal had a fresh dab of paint across the latch consistent with a re‑applied counterfeit seal. Yard cameras were left panning, creating reliable blind spots of twenty to thirty seconds.

On 11/10, the subject met with two visitors at the fence line and exchanged a clipboard without approaching the office. Agent overheard them discuss “blank HS codes” and “holiday backlog.” The conversation implies a counterfeit‑electronics shipment misdeclared to avoid inspection. Later, subject distributed burner keycards for the east pedestrian gate, instructing workers to “switch badges” if stopped.

On 11/11, a third party attempted to tip the agent to accept overtime in exchange for keeping a particular bay unsupervised. Agent declined while maintaining cover as rule‑bound but inexperienced. The subject appeared satisfied the lane would remain quiet.

Cover intact. Recommend customs partnership to flag the suspect container by serial, deploy a mobile X‑ray with minimal yard disruption, and audit badge access logs for the east gate.
 Cover remains intact. Recommend continued surveillance and coordinated warrants when feasible.