see also: in January 2008:   Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: A Year in Review   CBP, National Guard Announce Super Bowl Flight Restrictions   Cooperation Leads to Apprehension of International Fugitive   Border Patrol Seizes $109,944 Stashed in Vehicle   CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving from Dominican into Puerto Rico   CBP and ICE Donate Thousands of Shoes to Charity   Operation Uniforce 8 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Elizabeth, N.J. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than a ton of marijuana hidden within clay vases, the agency announced today.

CBP officers conducted queries and performed an enforcement examination on a shipment of pottery from Mexico arriving at the Port of Elizabeth on November 6. The shipment was consigned to a company in and destined for El Paso, Texas via Baltimore.

CBP officers utilized non-intrusive inspection equipment and discovered multiple anomalies in the 216 boxes manifested as “vases of mud and clay.” The CBP canine unit responded and indicated that the shipment contained narcotics. Upon further examination, including physical inspections of the cargo, the officers uncovered packages of a green leafy substance secreted within the vases. The substance was tested and identified as marijuana.

A total of 2,547.45 pounds of marijuana from 1,097 bricks was discovered, with a street value of just more than $5 million.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were notified by CBP and responded. All narcotics and evidence were turned over to ICE in Newark.

To date, one arrest was made. Mexican national Guillermo Serrer Perez was arrested November 20. The investigation is on-going. The case has been accepted by the Assistant U.S. Attorney’s office for federal prosecution.

“This seizure exemplifies the effective use of CBP targeting systems, non-intrusive inspection equipment, and the skill of our officers assigned to targeting and enforcement teams,” said Adele Fasano, area director of Newark Airport for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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.