Mother/Daughter Cocaine Smugglers Nabbed

EL PASO, TEXAS -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers performing anti-terror inspections at El Paso area ports of entry uncovered numerous violations during the past seven days. CBP officers seized significant quantities of illegal drugs, identified dozens of illegal immigrations violations, and stopped dozens of other violations at the legal border crossings in the El Paso area. CBP officers working at area ports of entry made a total of 34 drug busts this past week. CBP officers seized 3,421 pounds of marijuana in 30 seizures, 72.2 pounds of cocaine in a pair of busts, and small quantities of heroin and methamphetamine in two additional seizures. The most notable drug seizure of the week was also the most unusual. CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte (PDN) crossing seized 72.1 pounds of cocaine on January 20. Two women nabbed in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt were a local woman and her adult daughter. The seizure was made when a 1998 Ford van entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers searched the van and discovered a non-factory compartment in the dashboard. CBP officers removed a total of 33 cocaine-filled bundles from the compartment. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested the driver of the van, 44-year-old Martha D. Barron of El Paso. ICE agents also arrested the passenger, 26-year-old Ana Avalos of El Paso. CBP officers working at the El Paso port of entry stopped two juvenile drug smugglers this past week. On January 20, CBP officers discovered 48.3 pounds of marijuana hidden in the bumper of a 1997 Mitsubishi that entered the U.S. at the PDN crossing. The driver of the car, a 17-year-old El Paso male, was turned over to the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) for prosecution. On January 24, CBP officers at the PDN crossing stopped a 16-year-old Juarez male who had 164 pounds of marijuana in the rear quarter panels of the Chevrolet Avalanche he was driving. The juvenile was turned over to the EPPD for prosecution. Area CBP officers made four food and agricultural seizures during the week, resulting in $1,075 in penalties being assessed. Prohibited items seized included bologna, mangos, apples, sugar cane, and potatoes. The interception of these prohibited items are an important element in preventing the introduction of pests and disease that pose a risk to the U.S. agriculture industry and the nations natural resources. First time offenders face up to $300 in penalties for agriculture import violations. CBP officers working at the border ports of entry in El Paso, west Texas and New Mexico recorded 105 immigration violations during the last seven days. CBP officers identified 38 intended immigrant cases (people with legitimate entry documents intending to live/work illegally in the U.S.), 19 false claims for U.S. citizenship, 35 imposters (people using a legitimate document not assigned to the person), 12 people attempting to enter the U.S. with counterfeit or fraudulent entry documents, and one visa overstay violation. CBP officers last week also seized $54,400 in smuggled currency, recovered one stolen vehicle, seized a loaded .45 caliber handgun, intercepted valium, steroids, and veterinary medications, and assessed $2,750 in penalties for illegal vehicle exports. Anti-terrorism remains the primary mission of CBP. The intensive inspection process associated with the anti-terror mission continues to yield impressive enforcement numbers in all categories.