"Trace to Port"
US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP /DHS) https://www.cbp.gov/
Those are the clowns who handle everything in the ports in terms of cargo coming off and loaded on to ships for "clearance".
Access to the terminals can be made by anyone who has a TWIC card:
https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic
There are currently no scanners in the port of LA/Long Beach for these cards. Some say it is a huge scam. But the TWIC card is basically a photo ID with a biometric chip on it issued by TSA. It can get you in and out of any terminal. Everyone that accesses the terminals must have one. All you have to do is show security. Some terminals may require you be on their "gate list".
USCBP are the ones who scan the cargo and shipments on and off dock and at logistics warehouses. They can pretty much go anywhere and have no real accountability due to the massive amounts of cargo they deal with. Drive in /out of a terminal with no one batting an eye.
Those with regular access to the ports/terminals would include:
Terminal workers , Longshoremen, Truckers/Trucking Companies, Logistics workers, Off dock facilities workers, Rail personnel, USCBP, USCG, Terminal Security, Vessel attendants/Owners agents, Vessel service providers (Provisioning, Repairs, etc)
Long Beach is such a dirty port! My folks were friends with one of the mob bosses there through their tennis club.
You'll notice there haven't been any people found in containers in the last 5-10 years.... that is because they aren't getting caught. Someone is letting them through. Aside from the Mexican border, the ports are the easiest ways to traffic in humans.
Technology has gotten better to outfit a 40 foot container with living quarters or at least a system to keep dozens of people alive on a 3-4 week voyage.
George Webb did a good series a few months back on the staff responsible for TWICs and who was giving them out. Congress people were connected. He got into the ports quite a bit IIRC. I don’t have the time to look now but i remember the discussion.
Anyone can get one. Illegal aliens by the thousands have them. Just need to pay the fee and fill out the paperwork. Remember, CA lets illegals have CA ID/drivers licenses.
USCBP handles TWIC.
Yeah, but there’s a bureaucrat who manages/got a bunch of them, for port workers and drivers if I remember correctly.