see also: in February 2003:   Investigators from U.S. Customs and District Attorney's Office Arrest Impersonator of Federal Agent   U.S. Ambassador Presents $843,388 Forfeiture Check to Mexico as a Result of Joint Probe Into Former Mexican Deputy Attorney General   Customs Recruitment Strategy Perpetuates Excellence   Customs Has New Number for 24-Hour Rule Conference Call   Expired Permit Leads to Drug Smuggling Charges (pdf - 24 KB.)   At the Otay Mesa Border Station Customs Seizes 10 Tons of Marijuana   Container Security Initiative Expands Beyond the Megaports, Strengthening Anti-Terror Coalition ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

BLAINE, WA - U.S. Customs Inspectors in Sumas, Washington seized over 1,435 lbs. of BC Bud marijuana, worth $3.5 million, from a double tractor trailer truck at the Sumas Port of Entry crossing on Thursday, February 13 at 12:45 a.m.

Truck driver, James Simmonds, 42, of Kamloops, British Columbia was arrested by U.S. Customs special agents on drug smuggling charges and taken to Seattle, WA for his initial appearance in Western District of Washington federal court this afternoon.

U.S. Customs inspectors working at the Sumas Port of Entry used the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) enforcement tool to x-ray and inspect the tarped double trailers and detected discrepancies within the load of 2,800 sheets of fiberboard. The examination revealed 48 large hockey bags containing marijuana packaged in zip lock-type bags within larger heat-sealed plastic bags. Each hockey bag contained 20 - 50 smaller plastic bags, which varied in size. The shipment of fiberboard was destined for Tacoma, WA.

"This is one of the largest BC Bud marijuana seizures on the U.S.-Canada Border so far this year, and the first one at the Port of Sumas since moving to alert level orange," said U.S. Customs Blaine Service Port Director Peg Fearon. "It is a direct result of the dedicated enforcement efforts of our hard working inspectors to ensure a safe and secure border."