Equipment Exchange

To all interested parties,

The Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Criminal
Investigative Service and the military MCIO’S (NCIS, OSI, CID) have increased
efforts to recover stolen military IR lasers due to the danger to public safety
inherent in these devices.

There are a lot of misconceptions floating on the internet
about these products, especially B.E. Meyers and L-3 Insight products. The fact
of the matter is that whether or not you are violating FDA regulations is a
moot point. Products like the GLARE MOUT, IZLID, AN/PEQ-15, etc., are only sold
to the military and law enforcement agencies (not individual soldiers or officers)
because they can be dangerous in untrained hands. These products have a DEMIL Q
code which means that any defective units taken out of service must be
mutilated to the point of scrap.  There is no *LEGAL* way to purchase one
of these units because they will never be available through military or law
enforcement surplus, e.g. DRMO, LE auctions. The FDA places very strict
requirements on the sale and purchase of these items that the manufacturers
then pass down to their buyers. Here is an excerpt from an email from B.E.
Meyers:

 

There are also other requirements not mentioned here dealing
with the proper disposal of the items. One important point is that the FDA
variances (exemptions) are not simply for the product itself. The variances are
also attached to the buyer. Selling an FDA exempted laser to an improper buyer
voids the exemption, thus making the sale illegal. However, like I stated
above, the FDA regulations are a moot point because law enforcement is pursuing
other charges, such as the sale and receipt of stolen Government property.

To summarize, military lasers that require an FDA variance
such as L-3 Insight and B.E. Meyers products are only sold to the military and
law enforcement through direct agency purchasing only. They cannot be sold to
the public via Government auctions or DRMO and must be completely destroyed
when taken out of service. ALL such products that are for sale on internet
forums and eBay have been stolen. We have recovered dozens of units and not a
single one was "legally” purchased from a retailer as the sellers claimed.

If you purchase one of these lasers and law enforcement
finds out, we will recover the item from you and you will be not reimbursed.
The device will be traced back to the original Government unit that purchased
it and the military MCIO’S may launch an investigation.  

Furthermore, buyers and sellers of these devices may be
liable to face charges for stealing Government property, selling stolen
property, or receiving stolen property. Export regulations also prevent their
export because they are ITAR restricted.

My best advice is to steer clear of military lasers offered
for sale. Please contact me if you know someone who is in possession of these
products. Those who voluntarily contact me to assist in the recovery of these
devices or wish to return a device in their possession will not be targeted for
investigation by HSI and will be considered good Samaritans helping in the
recovery effort.

For those that wish to return
an item, please mail it to:

ICE Homeland Security Investigations

Attn: Special Agent WU

1000 2^ND AVE Suite 2300

Seattle, WA 98104

You may also contact me at 206-442-1652.