[Ichneumon]

How come our multi-billion dollar intelligence infrastructure didn't pick up the loading of the ships in port?

Do you realize how many ships load in how many docks around the world on a given day? Are you suggesting that it's feasible for us to track the (boxed and sealed) cargos of all of them on a regular basis?

[CyberAnt]

Now that you bring that up - one of the things the UNIONS are fighting is the computerization of cargo shipping. From what I understand, the companies want to mark the shipping containers just like they mark food in the grocery store.

Of course, if they do that, it will mean some people will lose their jobs. However, it would solve that problem of being able to track every container ... except for those which criminals use.