see also: in August 2008:   CBP in New York Apprehends Suspected Interpol Fugitive   Louisville CBP Finds Heroin in Woman’s Suit   CBP Officers Nab More than $1 Million in Narcotics in 48-hour Period   Philadelphia CBP Seizes $650,000 in Fake Bank Checks   CBP on a Roll Seizing Fake Handbags, Footwear Again in California   Calexico Downtown Port Officers Intercept $100K Narcotic Smuggling Attempt   CBP Outbound Inspection Yields 293 Unreported Ostrich Skins ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers   CBP News Releases

contacts for this news release

Laredo, Texas – Commercial truckers driving into and out of Laredo, Texas now have a couple of reminders that they should not gamble with their livelihoods by hauling illegal aliens or drugs.

Two billboards were erected today along Interstate Highway 35 as part of Laredo Sector Border Patrol’s effort to make truckers aware of the Texas Hold ‘Em initiative. One of the billboards is located at the junction of I-35 and Loop 20. It is visible to northbound traffic. The other billboard, which targets southbound drivers, is located north of Cotulla.

Both of the signs carry the blunt message behind the initiative: “Smuggle Aliens… Smuggle Drugs… Lose Your Commercial Driver’s License in Texas.”

Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Carlos X. Carrillo led the effort to unite several federal and state agencies to establish the program that uses existing state laws to revoke the Commercial Driver’s Licenses of truck drivers who are convicted of federal charges for smuggling people or drugs. Working through the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division, the program will revoke the commercial license of any driver convicted of felony smuggling transportation charges regardless of the state of issuance of the license. The initiative was announced June 19 by Texas Gov. Richard Perry during a press conference that also included the chiefs of the Border Patrol’s five Texas sectors.

During the current fiscal year which began on Oct. 1, 2007, Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents have intercepted 240 commercial tractor trailers attempting to smuggle aliens or drugs. These cases have resulted in the rescue of 1,309 smuggled aliens, the seizure of 56,359 pounds of marijuana and the seizure of 1,483 pounds of cocaine.

To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.

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.