see also: in January 2009:   CBP Officers Discover 957 Pounds of Marijuana in Concrete Pipes   CBP Canine Detects $600,000 Worth of Marijuana at Douglas Port   CBP Officers Seize $80,000 of Marijuana at Naco Port of Entry   Border Patrol Stops Vehicle, Leads to Meth Seizure   CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge Seize Fake $20’s Found during Outbound Inspection   Border Patrol Agents Rescue Woman Injured in Car Accident   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Arrest Wanted Sex Offender ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Douglas, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Douglas port of entry intercepted four narcotics smuggling attempts totaling 465 pounds of marijuana and one pound of methamphetamine with a combined street value at $800,000.

“This is a significant seizure of narcotics at the port and it exemplifies the training and inspection skill that our officers utilize every day,” said Margaret Baldenegro, CBP assistant port director in Douglas.

On Thursday, around 5:30 a.m., a 38-year-old woman who was identified as a Mexican national was driving a white 1992 Chevy Astro van. The woman applied for entry into the United States through the vehicle primary lanes. A Customs and Border Protection officer screening travelers waiting to enter the U.S. selected the female and her vehicle for inspection. Once in secondary the vehicle was searched with a non-intrusive imaging device which revealed anomalies in the fuel tank. CBP officers removed 37 packages of the drug weighing more than 75 pounds.

That same day at around 6:30 p.m., an 18-year-old man and Mexican national, was driving a 1998 Mitsubishi pick-up. The man applied for entry into the United States through the vehicle primary lanes. A Customs and Border Protection officer screening travelers waiting to enter the U.S. selected the man and his vehicle for inspection. During the examination, CBP officers noted discrepancies in the tires. A CBP narcotic detector dog also alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the tires of vehicle. Intensive examination of the tires yielded 20 packages containing 62 pounds of marijuana.

On Friday, just before 6 a.m., a CBP officer was screening travelers entering the U.S. from Mexico. The CBP officer referred a 38-year-old Mexican national male driving a 1997 Ford F-150. Based on the driver’s answers to routine questions and discrepancies with the vehicle, officers searched the vehicle thoroughly and discovered packages hidden throughout the interior of the vehicle. CBP officers upon a thorough inspection found 27 packages of marijuana with a weight of 128 pounds and one package of methamphetamine with a total weight of one pound. The methamphetamine from this seizure has an estimated street value of over $55,000.00.

On Saturday, at 7 a.m., a CBP officer screening incoming vehicles became suspicious of the driver of a 1997chevy suburban and sent him in for further inspection. The driver a 35-year-old Mexican national became visibly nervous during routine questioning.

At the secondary inspectional area, a closer examination of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of four bundles of marijuana concealed in a specially built compartment inside the gas tank. The total weight of the narcotic was 201 pounds of marijuana. The vehicles, marijuana and methamphetamine were seized and cases were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.

Total estimated street value of the marijuana is $745,000.00.

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.