An extensive search of hundreds of cargo containers from a ship at Port Newark did not turn up any stowaways, reported the Associated Press.
The search was called off Thursday.
"Officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection with assistance from ICE -Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Port Authority of NY/NJ, utilized X-Ray machines, K-9 units and officers on the ground to search over 163 containers," said DHS officials.
Customs and Border Patrol agents, the FBI and police searched the containers starting Wednesday morning after the boarding party heard sounds coming from a container on the bottom of a stack.
Initial reports indicated that as many 25 people were inside a cargo container and that the stowaways from Pakistan had been aboard the ship for at least seven days.
A large number of security vehicles and ambulances were at the dock next to the ship in the south terminal Wednesday morning. But most of the ambulances had left by early afternoon.
Crews started unloading cargo containers from the ship at about 10 a.m. and opening them up to check for stowaways.
By 1 p.m., scores of containers had been opened with no indication of anyone inside.
Coast Guard spokesman Charles Rowe says the container was loaded aboard The Villa D'Aquarius in India after the ship departed Pakistan. The manifest says the container was carrying machine parts to be unloaded in Norfolk, VA.
The ship docked last in Egypt before heading to the United States.
Homeland Security said in a statement: "U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers and agents are currently investigating allegations of stowaways on a container ship that arrived in Newark, N. J., this morning. Officials are currently aboard the Ville D'Aquarius and are conducting a thorough investigation of the vessel. More information will be released once available."
Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) occupies 180 acres, handling over 600,000 containers annually.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:49 AM EDT2013-05-18 11:49:20 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
Friday, May 17 2013 2:13 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:13:33 GMT
An Internet celebrity known on Facebook and YouTube as "Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker" was arrested in connection with the killing of an elderly Clark, N.J., man.
An Internet celebrity known on Facebook and YouTube as "Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker" was arrested in connection with the killing of an elderly Clark, N.J., man.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:09:46 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million dollars for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery. The lump-sum cash value of the jackpot is an estimated $376.9 million.
Friday, May 17 2013 12:39 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:39:46 GMT
A couple was found shot dead inside a park in Montclair, N.J.
A couple was found shot dead inside a park in Montclair, N.J. Police say they were responding to calls about shots fired when they discovered the bodies of Shanae Q. Howard, 24, of Orange and Brandon Brown, 26, of Montclair. The couple were found near a bench in Canterbury Park at around 10 p.m. on Thursday. A weapon was recovered at the scene.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:05 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:05:50 GMT
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 4:28 PM EDT2013-05-16 20:28:43 GMT
Gov. Chris Christie has announced plans to use $300 million in federal funding to buy out homeowners whose properties have flooded repeatedly, especially during Superstorm Sandy.
Gov. Chris Christie has announced plans to use $300 million in federal funding to buy out homeowners whose properties have flooded repeatedly, especially during Superstorm Sandy.
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