see also: in March 2002:   U.S. Customs Inspection Results in the Seizure of 160 Pounds of Cocaine   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize a Quarter of a Million Dollars in Hidalgo; Two Arrested   Customs Officers Seize 58,925 Tablets of Ecstasy And Arrest Man at Miami International Airport   U.S. Customs, 10 Foreign Countries, Serve Multiple Search Warrants on Internet Child Pornography Ring   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Eagle Pass Make Seven Marijuana Seizures in 72 Hours   U.S. Customs Service Inspectors Seize 298 Pounds of Cocaine in Port of Miami   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Roma Seize $3.8 Million in Cocaine Over Five-Day Period ...more

contacts for this news release

Laredo, TX - U.S. Customs inspectors at World Trade Bridge on Wednesday stopped one of the largest marijuana loads so far this fiscal year seizing a significant ($3 million) marijuana load in a tractor trailer, resulting in the arrest of the driver.

The events leading to the seizure began Wednesday morning during a routine examination of a 1994 International tractor hauling a 1996 Pines trailer load of lamp ballast. An alert Inspector noticed bundles mixed in between the cargo. The driver also appeared nervous. Canine "Persie" alerted to the bundles and an X-ray scan also indicated discrepancies in the trailer. Upon further examination, U.S. Customs inspectors removed 43 bundles containing 2,952 pounds of marijuana. The driver, Jaime Amezcua, 30, a Mexican national from Nuevo Laredo, was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

U.S. Customs special agents brought Amezcua before a federal magistrate this morning for an initial appearance. He was ordered held pending a detention hearing scheduled for a later date.

David Higgerson, Acting U.S. Customs Port Director, Laredo, congratulated his inspectors on making the seizure. "The inspectors have been seizing a large amount of marijuana lately, and this seizure is one of the largest at the port so far this fiscal year, which began October 1, 2001," Higgerson said.

U.S. Customs inspectors at World Trade Bridge during a nine-day period in late February seized 7,970 pounds of marijuana in four separate seizures.