see also: in March 2007 News Releases:   SBInet Completes Test of First Mobile Sensor Tower   Nogales Border Patrol Seizes 6 Tons of Marijuana from Garbage Truck   El Paso CBP Officers Make Largest Drug Bust In 2 Years   CBP Seizes $709,291 in Undeclared Currency at Laredo Port of Entry   Border Patrol Seizes $13 Million in Cocaine Near Hidalgo, Texas   El Paso CBP Offers Tips For Quick, Safe Easter Holiday Border Crossings   Border Patrol Assists Man Bitten by Snake ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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El Paso, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers performing anti-terror inspections at the Bridge of the Americas port of entry in El Paso seized 478 pounds of marijuana Thursday night. The drugs were in the trunk of a vehicle being driven by a 17-year-old female U.S. citizen. The seized contraband has an estimated street value of $478,000.

The seizure was made just before 8 p.m. yesterday while CBP officers were conducting a “roving” operation in the lanes of cars waiting to reach the primary inspection booths. While CBP officers were interviewing the driver of a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu that was waiting in line, a CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the trunk of the vehicle. CBP officers opened the trunk of the car and discovered 444 marijuana-filled bundles inside. The total weight of the marijuana was 478 pounds. The juvenile driver from El Paso was taken into custody and turned over to the El Paso Police Department for prosecution.

“This is an extremely large load of marijuana and the seizure is a direct result of the hard work and attention to detail being exhibited by the CBP workforce every day,” said David Longoria, U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Port Director. “CBP officers routinely see all types of drug smugglers, from high school aged juveniles to senior citizens to family units trying to blend in while smuggling contraband.”

The seizure was the largest drug bust made this week by CBP officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas and New Mexico. CBP officers this week seized 4,586 pounds of marijuana in 41 busts, 45 pounds of cocaine in five seizures, and small quantities of heroin and methamphetamine in three additional busts.

CBP officers working at the border ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas and New Mexico recorded 126 immigration violations during the last seven days. During the week, CBP officers identified a total of 53 imposters (people using a legitimate document not assigned to the person), 32 intended immigrant cases (people with legitimate entry documents intending to live/work illegally in the U.S.), 21 false claims for U.S. citizenship by non U.S. citizens, ten people attempting to enter the U.S. with counterfeit or fraudulent entry documents, and another ten people attempting to enter without inspection.

Area CBP officers made 13 food and agricultural seizures during the week, resulting in $3,150 in penalties being assessed. Prohibited items seized included bologna, chorizo, pork, raw eggs, avocados, pears, oranges, apples, potatoes, mangos, plums, kiwis, limes, tangerines and live plants. The interception of these prohibited items are an important element in preventing the introduction of pests and disease that pose a risk to the U.S. agriculture industry and the nation’s natural resources. CBP recommends that members of the traveling public declare all food and produce they are importing from Mexico to avoid penalties and reduce the risk of spreading disease.

CBP officers this week also assessed $2,250 in penalties for three vehicle export violations, seized smuggled ammunition, prescription medication, brass knuckles, three live roosters and three live chickens, and nabbed a military deserter. Anti-terrorism remains the primary mission of CBP. The intensive inspection process associated with the anti-terror mission continues to yield impressive enforcement numbers in all categories.

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.