see also: in September 2008:   Ramey Border Patrol Sector Sponsors Intelligence Training   CBP Arrests Woman at California Port after Discovering 3 Hidden Females   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Lost Alien   Customs and Border Protection Warns Floral Importers About Unripe Poppy Pods   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failing to Register as Sex Offender   CBP Seizes More Than $360,000 in Undeclared Currency ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working anti-terrorism operations a the Bridge of Americas commercial crossing in El Paso discovered 3,141 pounds of marijuana yesterday afternoon. The contraband was concealed in a false floor compartment of a refrigerator trailer being transported by truck form Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

On Thursday at about 5:20 p.m. a 1988 International tractor arrived at primary inspection. The driver told CBP that he was hauling a shipment of watermelons. The CBP officer selected the cargo shipment for an x-ray examination. The non-intrusive inspection proved inconclusive so the shipment was referred to the dock for further inspection. CBP drug-sniffing dog “Maverick“was used to inspect the trailer and alerted to the undercarriage. CBP officers removed 705 packages of marijuana from the false compartment. No arrests were made the investigation continues.

“The officer’s true diligence to securing our borders pays off again,” said William Molaski, acting port director, U.S. Customs Border Protection in El Paso. “This is a very large shipment of marijuana that did not make it to the U.S.”

In addition to the previously described seizure, area CBP officers made 11 more drug busts during this past week, confiscating an additional 947 pounds of marijuana.

During the past seven days, CBP officers recorded 120 immigration violations at area ports. Imposters made up the largest group of immigration violators. A total of 44 were identified through thorough document exams. Imposters generally will use a legitimate entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. Violators generally lose their documents and are returned to Mexico.

CBP officers nabbed 38 intended immigrants this week. In these cases, individuals will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. They also lose their documents and are generally returned to Mexico. Area CBP officers also nabbed 38 people who made false claims to U.S. citizenship, attempted to enter with counterfeit or altered documents, visa overstay violations, and those attempting to enter without inspection.

CBP officers working at area ports recorded a total of 12 agriculture violations this week, resulting in $3,225 in penalties being assessed. Prohibited agricultural items seized this week included pork, bologna, ham, lard, pork skins, apples, quince, pomegranates, pears, sugar cane and lemon grass. They also located one fruit fly on a piece of fruit this week. Area border crossers are urged to declare all food items they have acquired abroad to avoid penalties and to help reduce the potential for the introduction of harmful pests and disease. Failure to declare prohibited items can result in a $300 penalty for an initial offense. If properly declared, prohibited food items can generally be abandoned at the port of entry without consequence.

In addition to the agriculture and immigration violations, CBP officers working at El Paso area ports assessed $6,500 in penalties in nine illegal export cases. CBP officers also nabbed 22 fugitives this week while performing anti-terror inspections. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

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.