see also: in October 2002:   Alleged Colombian Heroin Distributor Arrested in Chicago; Among 25 Charged in Operation Smackdown Led by Customs Agents   U.S. Customs Publishes Final Regulations to Require Advance Shipping Information   Customs Agent is Presented the Presidential Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize $7.6 Million in Cocaine at Hidalgo/Pharr in Five Days   More Than 300 Registered for Customs Trade Symposium 2002   Wang Pleads Guilty to Bribery, Smuggling in Export Scheme Involving Chinese Textiles   China Joins the U.S. in Container Security Initiative ...more

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Laredo, TX - U.S. Customs Inspectors seized $3.8 million in cocaine and Ecstasy from a tractor-trailer late Monday at World Trade Bridge.Laredo, TX - U.S. Customs Inspectors seized $3.8 million in cocaine and Ecstasy from a tractor-trailer late Monday at World Trade Bridge. This represents the first significant load of cocaine caught at a commercial processing facility in Laredo since the start of the fiscal year on October 1.

A U.S. Customs Inspector referred a 1992 Freightliner tractor carrying an empty flatbed trailer for a secondary examination. During the examination, Inspectors noticed anomalies in the tire area. Canine "Dalton" alerted to the tires. Upon further examination, Inspectors found metal compartments in six tires containing 241 pounds of cocaine and 480 tablets of Ecstasy. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $3.8 million; the Ecstasy is valued at about $9,600. No arrests were made, but the investigation is continuing.

U.S. Customs Laredo Port Director Gene Garza recognized the Inspectors on making the seizure. "This was an unusual find; a significant quantity of cocaine and Ecstasy hidden together in a tractor-trailer," Garza said. "The Inspectors did an excellent job, during Red Ribbon week, a national "Say No to Drugs" outreach effort, no less, in preventing these drugs from hitting U.S. streets."