see also: in January 2002:   U.S. Customs Agents Search Wire Transfer Firm Suspected of Sending Millions to Iraq in Violation of Embargo   U.S. Customs Names New Assistant Commissioner, Congressional Affairs   U.S. Customs Publishes List of First Disbursements Under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000   Area U.S. Customs Service Officers Seize More Than Two Tons of Marijuana   Customs Heroin, Cocaine Seizures Up   International Customs Day ...more

contacts for this news release

Nogales, Ariz. -- U.S. Customs Service inspectors performing level one alert status anti-terrorism operations at the Nogales port of entry seized 1,700 pounds of marijuana Tuesday. The drugs were hidden in a travel trailer. Customs inspectors at the Nogales port also seized 54 pounds of marijuana in two other cases and 12 pounds of cocaine in an additional two seizures.

The 1,700-pound marijuana seizure was made at the Mariposa crossing Tuesday afternoon when a 2002 Ford F-250 pick-up towing a fifth wheel travel trailer entered from Mexico. U.S. Customs Service drug sniffing dog "Dozer" searched the trailer and alerted to the rear wall. A "Buster" density meter was used to scan the wall and provided readings consistent with hidden contraband. A U.S. Customs inspector drilled the area and discovered a green substance on the drill bit. Inspectors scanned the trailer with the VACIS gamma ray inspection system that confirmed the presence of contraband.

U.S. Customs Canine Dozer alerted to 1,700 pounds of marijuana at the Mariposa crossing on Tuesday when a 2002 Ford F-250 pick-up towing a fifth wheel travel trailer entered from Mexico.

U.S. Customs Service inspectors removed a mirror on the back wall of the trailer which provided access to a hidden compartment. Inspectors removed a total of 1,370 marijuana-filled tin cans from the compartment. U.S. Customs Service special agents arrested the driver, 52-year-old Ruben Deleon Balderas of Eagle Butte, South Dakota in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.

"The seizure activity we had Tuesday is consistent with what we have been experiencing since we went to a higher alert status on September 11," said Joe Lafata, U.S. Customs Service Nogales Port Director. "The Nogales port of entry is on pace to have the most successful year ever in terms of volume of drugs seized."