Overview

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.