CPB Officers Seize 5,000+ Lbs Marijuana

EL PASO, TEXAS U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers performing anti-terror inspections at border ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas, and New Mexico made a total of 40 drug seizures during the past seven days. They seized 5,405 pounds of marijuana in 39 busts and small quantities of cocaine and heroin in one additional bust. CBP officers this week also prevented the entry of dozens of illegal immigrants, confiscated prohibited agricultural items, and identified numerous other violations. The largest drug seizure of the week occurred Wednesday when CBP officers at El Pasos Bridge of the Americas commercial cargo facility confiscated 1,666 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the floor of a tractor-trailer. ICE special agents arrested 32-year-old Jose Rodriguez Mendoza of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, in connection with the failed smuggling attempt. CBP officers this week stopped a total of 98 people who were violating U.S. immigration laws while attempting to enter the country. During the last seven days, CBP officers identified a total of 40 intended immigrant cases (people with legitimate entry documents intending to live/work illegally in the U.S.), 29 imposters (people using a legitimate document not assigned to the person presenting the document) 20 false claims for U.S. citizenship by non U.S. citizens, seven people attempting to enter the U.S. with counterfeit, fraudulent, or altered entry documents, and two people who attempted to enter the U.S. without inspection. Area CBP officers made thirteen agricultural and food seizures during the week, resulting in $3,025 in penalties being assessed. Dozens of other border crossers avoided penalty by declaring and then abandoning prohibited items at border ports. Undeclared prohibited items seized this week included raw chicken, pork, bologna, ham, chorizo, sugar cane, peaches, potatoes, apples, oranges, avocados, pomegranates, and yams. The interception of these prohibited items are important in preventing the introduction of pests and disease that pose a risk to the U.S. agriculture industry. The results of this past week clearly indicate that thorough inspections are necessary to identify and stop illegal activity at border ports of entry, said Arthur Gonzales, acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in El Paso. Anti-terror is the goal but the overall inspection results are an important step in maintaining a safe and secure nation. In addition, CBP officers this week also seized $70,791 in unreported currency in two cases, two handguns, ammunition, and four illegal export of vehicle violations generating $2,750 in penalties. 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.