see also: in November 2007 News Releases:   Border Patrol Agents Arrest Convicted Sex Offender   Border Patrol Seizes One Ton of Marijuana at Sierra Blanca Checkpoint   Border Patrol Yields $3.7 Million in a Day’s Seizures   Border Patrol and Coast Guard Sign Cooperation Agreement   CBP Seized Cocaine Concealed in Suitcase   Border Patrol Agents Seize 5,450 Pounds of Marijuana Near Freer ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at the Laredo Port of Entry seized 50 pounds of cocaine; three pounds of heroin; rifles and ammunition; arrested 22 individuals on federal illegal entry charges; arrested 20 fugitives; seized $60,200 in undeclared currency; seized 288 pounds of undeclared restricted cheese; and issued 22,478 tourist permits in the two-week holiday span during which Mexico celebrates its independence and the U.S. celebrates the Thanksgiving holidays.

The latest seizure occurred on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 at approximately 11:30 a.m. when CBP officers at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge inspected a passenger bus as it arrived at the port of entry. During their examination, CBP officers detected discrepancies in the bus’s rear seats area. Utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system, a scan of the bus revealed anomalies within the same area. CBP canine “Hank” alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the rear seats of the bus. Upon closer visual inspection, CBP officers discovered several tape wrapped bundles concealed underneath the seats. A total of six packages containing 16 pounds of cocaine were removed from under the seats. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $512,000. Although no arrests were effected immediately, the case remains under investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents who investigated the seizure. The bus also was seized.

The second cocaine seizure occurred earlier. On Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007 at approximately 10:30 p.m. CBP officers at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge referred an 18-year-old Mexican citizen pedestrian from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico for a secondary inspection. During the examination, CBP officers detected discrepancies with the man’s clothing. CBP officers discovered a black tape wrapped bundle concealed around his lower back. The bundle contained 2 pounds of cocaine. The cocaine has a street value of $64,000. CBP officers arrested Julio Antonio Muñoz Hernandez on federal drug violations and turned him over to ICE special agents who investigated the seizure.

The most significant enforcement action occurred on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge. A CBP officer referred pedestrian Miriam Sanchez, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen from Jacksonville, Florida after a primary name query revealed an outstanding warrant from the state of Florida. CBP officers confirmed the warrant was active and while securing the female discovered that her shoes were unusually heavy. A closer inspection of the shoes revealed a black tape wrapped bundle in each inner sole. The two insole bundles contained three pounds of heroin valued at $300,000. CBP officers arrested Sanchez on federal drug violations as well as the outstanding active warrant and turned her over to ICE special agents who investigated the seizure.

The other two most significant enforcement actions occurred at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge and at the Lincoln-Juarez, respectively. The seizure at the Colombia Bridge occurred on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007 when CBP officers referred a 2006 Chevy PT Cruiser for secondary examination. Utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system, a scan of the vehicle revealed irregularities in the front firewall of the engine compartment. Upon further examination of the area where the anomalies were detected , CBP officers discovered what appeared to be plastic wrapped bundles. A total of 12 bundles that contained 32 pounds of cocaine were discovered. The cocaine is valued at $1 million. The driver, a 27-year-old Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico was arrested on federal drug violations and turned her over to ICE special agents who investigated the seizure.

The last seizure occurred at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 when CBP officers working outbound (southbound) inspections referred a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by Israel Aguilar Portillo, a 28-year-old Mexican citizen from Tlalchapa, Guerrero, Mexico for examination. During the examination, CBP officers obtained a binding negative declaration for firearms, ammunition, and monetary instruments in excess of $10,000 from the driver. Utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system, a scan of the vehicle revealed anomalies in the quarter panels of the vehicle. Upon further examination, CBP officers discovered two rifles, 1,364 rounds of ammunition, and 10 magazines. Additional queries unearthed an active arrest warrant for immigration violations. Although no immediate arrest was made regarding the weapons, CBP officers remanded the driver to Webb County Law Enforcement Center to first face a federal re-entry into the U.S. after prior deportation charge.

CBP officers conducting queries intercepted 20 individuals with outstanding state or federal warrants. Pedestrian George Gaona, 44, U.S. citizen from Hebron, Ohio was detained after CBP officers determined that he was wanted by the state of Texas as a violent sex offender out of Bexar County in San Antonio, Texas. He was turned over to the custody of the Webb County Law Enforcement Center under no bond as stipulated by the warrant. Another pedestrian Daniel Martinez, 19, U.S. citizen from Laredo, Texas was detained after CBP officers also determined that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failure to appear on possession of drugs charges from Webb County. He was turned over to Webb County Sheriff’s deputies. Vehicle driver Horacio Magaña, 54, a U.S. permanent resident from Baltimore, Maryland was detained at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge after CBP officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine & aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine. He was paroled into the U.S. and released to the custody of Webb County Sheriff’s deputies pending extradition to Marshalltown, Iowa. He was also served with an immigration retainer to ensure his return to CBP for a determination of admissibility into the country.

CBP officers also arrested 22 individuals for illegal entry cases that were presented for prosecution for alien smuggling, documented false claims and prior deportations.

In addition to the listed enforcement actions, CBP officers at the Port of Laredo also processed and issued a total of 22,478 tourist permits during the last two holiday weekends which represent almost seven times the amounts that are usually processed during regular weekends.

"At the Port of Laredo, we remain ever-poised and ready to handle our nation's "front door" border security as the brunt of the holiday traffic approaches," said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo. "Despite the intense volume of traffic, most especially during busy holiday seasons, our frontline officers’ dedication, tenacity, and acute observational skills continue to be at their peak. I am impressed, but not surprised with the zeal with which they carry out their assigned duties. Our officers’ consistent vigilance and commitment to the CBP mission is truly evident in these notable seizures and arrests. This is nothing new but rather business as usual for the busiest inland port in the US."

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 the 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.