see also: in May 2002:   U.S. Customs Announces International Counterfeit Case Involving Caterpillar Heavy Equipment   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize 1,787 Pounds of Marijuana at World Trade Bridge; One Arrested   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize $3.6 Million in Cocaine, Methamphetamine at Hidalgo/Pharr Port of Entry Over Weekend   U.S. Customs Task Force Arrests 11 Charged in Heroin-Smuggling Conspiracy in New York and New Jersey   Child Sex Offender Fugitive Wanted by Arizona and Massachusetts Authorities Captured at Brownsville Port of Entry   Mother's Day Delivery at Fabens Port ...more on cbp.gov:   U.S. Customs Discovers Nearly $1 Million in Cocaine in Truck at Eagle Pass Port of Entry

contacts for this news release

Eagle Pass, Texas-U.S. Customs inspectors at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry seized five significant drug loads in as many days, including three seizures on Monday alone. U.S. Customs inspectors confiscated a total of 337 pounds of marijuana and 4.8 pounds of cocaine valued at $415,000 over the five-day period.

The bulk of the seizure activity occurred Monday, May 20, 2002. The largest valued seizure on Monday occurred at Eagle Pass Bridge II. A U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service inspector referred a 1991 Honda Accord driven by Rogelio Rodrigo Surita, 20, of Austin for a secondary examination. During the examination, U.S. Customs inspectors discovered packages under the passenger seat. Canine "Bo" alerted to the passenger seat area. Upon probing of the packages, inspectors found a total of 4.8 pounds of cocaine. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $78,000. Surita and passenger Bernice Moreno Surita, 18, of Austin, were arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

At an initial appearance hearing today before a federal magistrate in Del Rio, Rogelio Rodrigo Surita was ordered held pending a detention hearing while a $20,000 cash bond was set for Bernice Moreno Surita.

The other U.S. Customs seizures on Monday May 20, 2002, included 59 pounds of marijuana found in the gas tank of a 1991 Cadillac driven by Johnny Amisael Garcia, 18, of Round Rock and 33 pounds of marijuana found in the dashboard of a 1996 Dodge Intrepid driven by Mario Alberto Hernandez, 30, of Eagle Pass. Both men were arrested on federal drug charges. At their initial appearance before a federal magistrate both Garcia and Hernandez were ordered held pending a detention hearing.

On May 17, 2002, U.S. Customs inspectors at Bridge I discovered 36 pounds of marijuana in the gas tank of a 1994 Nissan Sentra driven by Edgar Zandate, 22, of Austin. During the examination, Zandate threw open the door of his vehicle, striking a Customs inspector and attempted to abscond to Mexico. U.S. Customs inspectors subdued Zandate and took him into custody. Zandate was arrested on federal drug charges and on Monday was ordered held during his initial court appearance.

The first seizure of the period, and the largest of marijuana, occurred on May 15, 2002. U.S. Customs inspectors at Bridge II discovered 209 pounds of marijuana hidden under the bedliner of a 1985 Chevy pickup driven by Nazario Iruegas, 42, of San Antonio. Iruegas was arrested on federal drug charges and made his initial court appearance last week.

John Salazar, U.S. Customs Port Director, Eagle Pass, lauded his inspectors on the seizures.

"The U.S. Customs inspectors and canine enforcement officers of the Port of Eagle Pass have done a Herculean job in recent months making consecutive seizures, sometimes three in a day, like Monday's activity," Salazar said. "They apply their skills and high tech tools and get excellent results."