see also: in April 2008:   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $1.3 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes   Border Patrol Launches Rhode Island Search   Border Patrol Agent Search Launches in Atlanta   Two Weeks = Two Tons of Marijuana Seized at Arizona Port of Entry   CBP Officers in Texas Find $3 Million Worth of Dope in 'Empty' Sea Container   New Jersey CBP Officers Make $4 Million Heroin Candy Bar Bust   Border Patrol Agents Locate More Than Half Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Laredo, Texas – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Hebbronville station seized a shipment of marijuana Monday weighing more than 2 ½ tons.

Agents responded to reports of a suspicious tractor-trailer driving through a ranch north of Hebbronville. They soon spotted a truck matching the description given in the report and stopped it along a dirt road on the ranch.

While agents conducted an immigration inspection of the two occupants of the cab, a Border Patrol canine alerted agents toward the trailer, indicating the presence of hidden people or contraband.

The trailer was the type specially designed to haul bulk cargo such as dirt or gravel. At first glance, the trailer appeared to be carrying a full load of sand mixed with gravel. Upon closer examination, agents discovered cellophane-wrapped bundles buried under the sand and gravel.

Agents removed 309 bundles from the trailer. The bundles contained marijuana with a total weight of 5,793 pounds and an approximate street value of $4,634,400.

The marijuana, the truck and the two people were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Including this seizure, the Laredo Sector has intercepted six significant marijuana shipments since March 25. The largest single load in the group weighed 6,389 pounds. It was seized at the Border Patrol’s I-35 checkpoint on March 31. This latest load was the second largest in the group. In total, the six loads weighed 22,731 pounds and had an estimated street value of $17.9 million.

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.