see also: in January 2007 News Releases:   Membership of Trade/Customs Advisory Committee Announced   CBP Border Patrol Launches Massive Search to Preserve Life   CBP Officers Make 22 Drug Busts at Calexico Ports During Busy Week   3,010 Pounds of Marijuana Seized at Nogales Port of Entry   CBP Border Patrol Makes a Record Drug Bust   Registration Underway for Third CBP Conference on ACE   CBP Officers Nab Mother/Daughter Cocaine Smugglers; Juveniles With Marijuana Loads Also Nabbed This Week ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Curlew, Wash. – At approximately 11:00p.m. on January 18, 2007, CBP Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Curlew Border Patrol Station seized more than 136 pounds of cocaine and arrested a Canadian citizen attempting to smuggle the contraband across the border.

While on patrol in the Chesaw, Washington area, an agent observed a vehicle with one occupant driving south on a desolate road. Due to its proximity to the border, the vehicle’s route of travel was retraced on the freshly fallen snow. The tire tracks were followed to a driveway of a rural residence, where the vehicle apparently stopped and turned around. Footprints were detected at this location leading down the driveway, away from the vehicle and then off the road. The agent tracked the footprints, which lead to two individuals attempting to conceal themselves under some snow covered bushes. The men were lying down with two large backpacks next to them. As the Border Patrol Agent secured one of the individuals, the other individual ignored the agent’s commands and fled north towards Canada.

A Border Patrol Canine team was notified and presented with the two backpacks. The canine immediately alerted to the presence of narcotics and a subsequent field test revealed that the contents tested positive for cocaine. The cocaine was meticulously packaged in 29 separate sealed plastic bags. (See pictures below). The suspect was processed for removal proceedings. The suspect and contraband were then turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

“CBP Border Patrol has a priority mission to keep terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the country, however, this significant seizure is proof that we also work vigorously to prevent cross-border crime,” said Spokane Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert L. Harris.

In fiscal year 2006, the Spokane Sector seized more than 2,000 pounds of narcotics, representing a street value of $18 million.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for 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.