State Department: Problems In The Diplomatic Courier System: Nsiad-89-39

GAO reviewed the Department of State’s diplomatic courier pouch system to assess what problems the system experienced in its efforts to provide timely and secure delivery service. GAO found that: (1) shipment of large, bulky items strained the capability of the pouch system; (2) the volume more than doubled over 5 years; (3) system breakdowns included inadequate or late transportation, trucks without communication capabilities, shortcomings in security escort efforts, improperly handled classified material, and large pouch loads; (4) State did not limit its use of nonprofessional couriers to emergencies and isolated cases, as its regulations required; (5) because it did not centrally control or monitor the use of nonprofessional couriers, State did not know how many nonprofessional couriers that the overseas diplomatic posts authorized; and (6) State did not perform routine spot inspections of ordinary pouched packages to ensure that drugs, liquor, and other prohibited materials did not enter the system.