ALEXICO, Calif., – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Calexico West port of entry discovered methamphetamine concealed in the seats and floor area of a vehicle Wednesday.

At approximately 9:57 a.m., CBP officers at the Calexico West port of entry encountered a 20-year-old male driving a 2013 sedan. The man was applying for admission into the United States. During initial inspection, a CBP officer noticed plastic wrapped packages in the floorboard of the vehicle. The CBP officer referred the traveler and vehicle to secondary inspection for further examination.

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Deadline to file is August 9

Washington, D.C. — Veterans are advised to take advantage of possible benefits under the PACT Act for exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances by filing a claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by August 9.

The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras.

If eligible veterans and their families file a claim by August 9, 2023, they could get their benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. Past the deadline, veterans are still eligible to file claims for future PACT benefits after August 9, 2023.

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SANTA TERESA, N.M - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Santa Teresa port of entry intercepted 602 pounds of methamphetamine, 27 pounds of cocaine and 5.5 pounds of fentanyl on two separate failed smuggling attempts.

“Our CBP officers remain focused on the narcotic interdiction mission while also facilitating legitimate trade and travel,” said acting CBP El Paso Director Field Operations Ray Provencio. “Disrupting the flow of illicit narcotics at our ports of entry is a significant part of our enduring mission priorities.”

The first interception occurred July 31, when an individual arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes in a sports utility vehicle. The 36-year-old man was referred for a secondary inspection of the vehicle which included screening by a canine team and a non-intrusive inspection (x-ray).   more...

MANISTEE, Mich. — U.S. Coast Guard personnel, along with state and local agencies are responding Wednesday to a report of the motor vessel Manitowoc spilling diesel in Lake Michigan, approximately 1.5 nautical miles offshore of Manistee, Michigan.

At approximately 2:50 p.m. the 612’ bulk carrier motor vessel Manitowoc reported a hull breach on its starboard diesel tank. The maximum spill potential is 45,174 gallons of diesel.

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Martin’s Point Health Care Inc. (Martin’s Point), headquartered in Portland, Maine, has agreed to pay $22,485,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting inaccurate diagnosis codes for its Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees in order to increase reimbursements from Medicare.

Under Medicare Advantage, also known as the Medicare Part C program, Medicare beneficiaries have the option of enrolling in managed care insurance plans called Medicare Advantage Plans (MA Plans).   more...

LANSING – Michigan residents should be aware of a scam being perpetrated by individuals claiming to be home or business security sales representatives.

There have been reports of individuals showing up at homes and claiming to work for ADT, a contractor hired by ADT, or a company that allegedly purchased ADT. Typically, they will have no uniform or ADT identification. The point of the scam is to get the homeowner to sign up for a new service.

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