see also: in April 2002:   Congressmen Honor U.S. Customs Employees   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Hidalgo Seize $390,000 in Methamphetamine   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Laredo Arrest Iraqi Fugitive Wanted by FBI in Michigan   U.S. Customs Inspectors, Del Rio, Seize 2,591 Pounds of Cocaine - Largest U.S.-Mexico Border Coke Seizure in FY 2002 To Date   Customs Kids Join Parents on the Job as Part of "Bring Your Child To Work Day" Event   U.S. Customs Service Patrol Officers Seize 1,678 Pounds of Marijuana on Monday   Maryland Woman Arrested for Transporting Over 30,000 Pills ...more

contacts for this news release

Eagle Pass, Texas - U.S. Customs inspectors at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in the past seven days seized eight significant loads of narcotics valued at $4.2 million.

During a seven-day period beginning Friday, April 5, 2002, inspectors seized four loads of cocaine totaling 101.5 pounds and four loads of marijuana totaling 222 pounds.

The largest-valued seizure occurred last night at Eagle Pass Bridge I. A U.S. Customs inspector using a buster (density meter) discovered anomalies in the quarter panels of a 1989 Buick Regal and referred the vehicle for a secondary examination. During the examination, Canine "Katie" also alerted to the quarter panels. A non-intrusive imaging system scan also indicated anomalies in the same area. Upon closer examination, Inspectors found bundles containing nearly 38 pounds of cocaine. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $1.5 million. The driver Jose Miguel Guerra, 26, of Tomball, Tex., was arrested on charges of importation and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

At his initial appearance hearing before a federal magistrate in Del Rio, Guerra was ordered held pending a detention hearing.

The marijuana seizures ranged in weight from 12 to 125 pounds.

In addition to the drug seizures, Inspectors arrested a wanted person and recovered a stolen license plate.

John Salazar, U.S. Customs Port Director, Eagle Pass, congratulated his inspectors on their consecutive seizures. "The inspectors have shown through their hard work this past week that persistence, experience, and dedication results in multiple seizures," Salazar said.