see also: in February 2003:   Investigators from U.S. Customs and District Attorney's Office Arrest Impersonator of Federal Agent   U.S. Ambassador Presents $843,388 Forfeiture Check to Mexico as a Result of Joint Probe Into Former Mexican Deputy Attorney General   Customs Recruitment Strategy Perpetuates Excellence   Customs Has New Number for 24-Hour Rule Conference Call   Expired Permit Leads to Drug Smuggling Charges (pdf - 24 KB.)   At the Otay Mesa Border Station Customs Seizes 10 Tons of Marijuana   Container Security Initiative Expands Beyond the Megaports, Strengthening Anti-Terror Coalition ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers

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EL PASO, TX--U.S. Customs Service inspectors at the El Paso port of entry of seized 12,620 pounds of marijuana Friday. The drugs were hidden in a commercial truck that arrived at the Bridge of Americas port of entry. The estimated street value of the seized marijuana is $12,620,000.

"This is the largest Customs marijuana seizure in El Paso in more than a decade," said David Longoria, U.S. Customs Service El Paso Port Director. "This seizure demonstrates, in dramatic fashion, the critical role that Customs plays at the border in protecting the American public. As a result, more than six tons of marijuana will not reach America's streets."

The seizure was made when a Kenworth tractor-trailer hauling a load of wooden pallets entered the port just before 1 p.m. The vehicle was selected for an intensive inspection and directed to the VACIS gamma ray inspection system. U.S. Customs Service inspectors detected a discrepancy in the appearance of the trailer consistent with hidden contraband. Customs drug sniffing dog "Linda" then alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.

Customs special agents initiated a surveillance on the vehicle and followed it from the port of entry to a warehouse at 2000 E. Paisano where they arrested 32-year-old Juan Francisco Chavira Cruz of Juarez and 41-year-old Jose Majora Espinoza of Juarez. The two are slated to make initial appearances before a federal magistrate today to face possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy charges. El Paso County Sheriff's Department HIDTA task force members assisted in the arrests.

After making the arrests, Customs officers returned the trailer to the port of entry. A search of the trailer resulted in the discovery of 203 cardboard boxes hidden behind the shipment of pallets. U.S. Customs Service inspectors opened the boxes and removed 2,134 marijuana filled bundles. The investigation is continuing.

The seizure is the largest single marijuana load captured by U.S. Customs Service inspectors in El Paso since they seized 11,542 pounds of the drug in a commercial shipment on May 2, 2000. Customs officers in El Paso seized approximately 14,000 pounds of marijuana in a single shipment in the 1980's. In addition to the 12,620-pound marijuana, U.S. Customs Service inspectors in El Paso seized an additional 1,268 pounds of marijuana and 44.7 pounds of cocaine in 20 other drug seizures while performing Orange Alert Level inspections on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.