see also: in November 2008:   Thanksgiving Day Marijuana Seizure Yields 450 Pounds at Douglas Port of Entry   Registered Sex Offender Intercepted by CBP at Pacific Highway Entry   CBP Officers Seize 145 Pounds of Ecstasy at Vermont Entry   CBP Officers in Boston Seize Undeclared $19,300   CBP Advises Travelers of Temporary Construction at Otay Mesa Border Crossing   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Man Wanted in California   Customs and Border Protection Officers in New York Arrest Imposter ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Douglas, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were busy this past week as they stopped six drug-smuggling attempts, seizing more than 300 pounds of marijuana with an approximate street value of $500,000.

Last Monday, CBP officers were suspicious of a 1999 Chevrolete Tahoe driven by a man from Agua Prieta. The vehicle was searched with the mobile x-ray machine which revealed anomalies in the fuel tank and spare tire. CBP officers seized more than 155 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $257,000.

On Tuesday, CBP officers selected a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix for further inspection. An alert by a K-9 team resulted in the seizure of 48 pounds of marijuana hidden in the gas tank and rocker panels for a street value of $80,000.

On Wednesday, CBP officers became suspicious of a man who was driving a 1985 Nissan 300Z. A K-9 team searched the vehicle and discovered over 63 pounds of marijuana concealed in the back portion of the seats as well as the quarter panels with a street value of $106,000.

Thursday at about 10:30 a.m., a CBP officer became suspicious of a 1993 Dodge pickup, just as it was about to leave the port of entry. A search of the vehicle revealed that all four tires of the vehicle had collars built around the rims and were designed for multiple use. The CBP officer seized more than 78 pounds of marijuana for a street value of $126,000.

Later that evening CBP officers were searching a Sonora plated vehicle when a K-9 alerted the officers to the back seat. The officers discovered about 10 pounds of marijuana concealed in the back seat with a street value of $15,000.

On Saturday, at about 1:45 p.m. CBP officers became suspicious of the driver of a 1985 Ford F-150. A K-9 search of the interior of the vehicle revealed more than 25 pounds of marijuana hidden in the cushion of the front seat with a street value of $42,000.

“To the on-looker this job may appear to be repetitive and routine,” said Assistant Port Director Margaret Baldenegro, “but the CBP officers know that these drugs will never make it on to the streets and into the hands of our school children; there is nothing routine about that.”

CBP officers seized the all vehicles and marijuana. All suspects were turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.