EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso port of entry recorded four marijuana seizures Tuesday, confiscating 395 pounds of the drug. The estimated street value of the seized contraband is $316,000.
“The thorough inspections we perform as part of our homeland security mission will often uncover drug smuggling attempts,” said Beverly Good, CBP El Paso Port Director Beverly Good, CBP El Paso Port Director. “I commend our officers for their consistent dedication and vigilance in keeping our nation safe.”
The largest seizure of the day was made at approximately 6:40 a.m. when a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta with single male driver entered the Bridge of the Americas international crossing from Mexico. CBP officers were performing a sweep of vehicles in the queue just south of the primary inspection area when a CBP drug sniffing dog alerted to a vehicle in line. CBP officers scanned the vehicle with the Z-Portal x-ray system and noted anomalies in multiple locations of the vehicle. CBP officers continued their exam and located drug-filled bundles in the quarter panels, bumper, firewall and rocker panels of the car. The drugs weighed 195 pounds.
CBP officers took custody of the driver, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen. He was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI special agents to face charges associated with the failed drug smuggling attempt.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.