see also: in March 2007 News Releases:   SBInet Completes Test of First Mobile Sensor Tower   Nogales Border Patrol Seizes 6 Tons of Marijuana from Garbage Truck   El Paso CBP Officers Make Largest Drug Bust In 2 Years   CBP Seizes $709,291 in Undeclared Currency at Laredo Port of Entry   Border Patrol Seizes $13 Million in Cocaine Near Hidalgo, Texas   El Paso CBP Offers Tips For Quick, Safe Easter Holiday Border Crossings   Border Patrol Assists Man Bitten by Snake ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Laredo, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo Port of Entry delivered a one-two punch to narcotics smuggling organizations on Monday with back-to-back seizures of cocaine and marijuana carrying a combined street value of $1.6 million.

The marijuana seizure occurred about 11 p.m. on Monday, March 19 at Gateway to the Americas Bridge. CBP officers referred a 1992 Dodge pickup truck driven by Eric Carlin, 26, a U.S. citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, for secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers noted discrepancies in the sidewalls of the pickup bed.

CBP canine "Diesel" alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the pickup. An X-ray scan also indicated anomalies in the pickup bed. Upon further examination, CBP officers discovered bundles of marijuana in the sidewalls of the pickup bed. CBP officers seized a total of 119 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $119,000. CBP officers arrested Carlin on federal drug charges and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement special agents, who investigated the seizure.

Earlier in the day, CBP officers caught the cocaine load at the same bridge. Officers referred a 1993 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Luis Alberto Barron, 26, a U.S. citizen from Laredo, for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers noted discrepancies in the quarter panels of the cab. An X-ray scan also indicated anomalies in the vehicle.

Upon further examination, CBP officers discovered bundles of cocaine in the quarter panels of the cab. CBP officers seized a total of 49.5 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1.5 million. CBP officers arrested Barron on federal drug charges and turned him over to ICE special agents who investigated the seizure.

"These seizures exemplify the experience and ability of our officers to zero-in and take down significant loads of narcotics," said Gene Garza, CBP port director for Laredo.

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.