see also: in July 2008:   CBP Discovers 2.7 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Box Truck   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

contacts for this news release

Edinburg, Texas - Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents in Texas this morning seized almost 10,000 pounds of illegal narcotics as Hurricane Dolly threatened landfall.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the U.S. Highway 77 Checkpoint near

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Sarita, Texas seized 9,651 pounds of marijuana that had been buried under a load of cotton seed inside a tractor trailer. The driver, a United States citizen, was taken into custody.

While determining the driver’s citizenship, a Border Patrol canine alerted to the presence of humans or drugs concealed in the back of the tractor trailer. The driver was directed to the secondary inspection area where a search of the trailer led to the discovery of 479 bundles of marijuana. The total weight of the marijuana was 9,651 pounds with an estimated value of $7,720,800.

“This incident serves to remind us all that narcotics traffickers and other criminal organizations will exploit events like hurricanes and storms to their advantage,” said Ronald D. Vitiello, chief patrol agent of the Rio Grande Valley Sector. “It also reminds us that the Border Patrol can prepare and assist its communities while continuing to protect America.”

To report suspicious activity, dial the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sector’s toll free telephone number at 1-800-863-9382.

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.