see also: in November 2008:   Thanksgiving Day Marijuana Seizure Yields 450 Pounds at Douglas Port of Entry   Registered Sex Offender Intercepted by CBP at Pacific Highway Entry   CBP Officers Seize 145 Pounds of Ecstasy at Vermont Entry   CBP Officers in Boston Seize Undeclared $19,300   CBP Advises Travelers of Temporary Construction at Otay Mesa Border Crossing   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Man Wanted in California   Customs and Border Protection Officers in New York Arrest Imposter ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers performing anti-terrorism inspections at the El Paso port of entry made six marijuana seizures on Wednesday, seizing 764 pounds of the drug. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is in excess of $750,000.

The largest seizure of the day occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing when a 1999 Chevrolet Astro Van entered the port from Mexico. A CBP officer at the primary inspection booth requested a canine search of the vehicle after the driver and passenger of the van appeared nervous during a routine interview. CBP drug sniffing dog “Cactus” searched the van and alerted to the floor. CBP officers continued their exam and discovered 53 marijuana-filled bundles hidden in a compartment in the floor of the vehicle. The drugs weighed 223.1 pounds.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special agents arrested the driver and passenger of the van after federal prosecution was accepted. The driver is 34-year-old Martha Patricia Mora De Hernandez of Juarez, Mexico. The passenger is 18-year-old Brianda Martinez of Juarez, Mexico. The two are mother and daughter. Both are currently detained at the El Paso County Jail.

“CBP officers at the El Paso port of entry are working hard to ensure the safety of this community and our nation through thorough and targeted inspections of all arriving people and goods,” said Isabel Mullens, acting CBP El Paso port director. “Their continued commitment to the anti-terror mission of CBP uncovers numerous violations everyday.”

In addition to the previously mentioned seizure, CBP officers working at the El Paso port of entry made the following five additional drug seizures on Wednesday.

At 4:25 a.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 64.5 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the fender of a 1982 Ford Zephyr. A 27-year-old Dallas man was arrested.

At 6:09 a.m., CBP officers at the BOTA crossing seized 104.5 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the bumper, dashboard and undercarriage of a 1995 Mercury Tracer. A 34-year-old El Paso woman was arrested.

At 6:25 a.m., CBP officers at the BOTA crossing seized 188.1 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the back seat, bumper, dashboard and doors of a 2000 Mercury Sable. A 19-year-old El Paso man was arrested.

At 8:58 a.m., CBP officers at the BOTA crossing seized 98.2 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the rear seat and spare tire of a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck. A 58-year-old Albuquerque man was arrested.

At 4:26 p.m., CBP officers at the Paso Del Norte crossing seized 86 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in all four tires of a 1990 Ford Bronco. A 21-year-old Juarez man was arrested.

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.