see also: in July 2008:   Holiday Travel Reminder for Northwest Border Crossers   Current, Former CBP Employees Assist in Arrest of Purse Snatchers   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender   California SENTRI Participant in Hot Water, CBP Finds Dope in Vehicle   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault on Minor   CBP Revokes Trusted Traveler Privileges After Finding Prohibited Items During Inspection ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East port of entry cargo facility seized 2.7 tons of marijuana found in a box truck that entered the port at about 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, officials announced today.

CBP officers found 316 wrapped packages of the narcotic weighing 5,354 pounds and valued at $2.1 million hidden within 37 boxes manifested as printer cartridges, officials said.

CBP officers ordered the box truck to the port’s gamma-ray facility for an intensive examination after the truck entered the U.S. from Mexico.

The intensive examination revealed anomalies in the shipment so it was referred to the dock for off-loading of the merchandise.

CBP officers discovered a green leafy substance concealed within the boxes that field tested positive for marijuana.

The driver, a 51-year-old Mexican male was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents and subsequently transported to the Imperial County Jail to await arraignment. The box truck and narcotics were seized by CBP.

The seizure follows another incident on July 22 when CBP officers at the East port facility discovered five tons of marijuana on a cargo truck that entered the U.S. with a load manifested as tools, instruments and parts. The driver, a 22-year-old Mexican male, was arrested by ICE agents and the narcotics and conveyance were seized by CBP.

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.