see also: in July 2008:   CBP Discovers 2.7 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Box Truck   Holiday Travel Reminder for Northwest Border Crossers   Current, Former CBP Employees Assist in Arrest of Purse Snatchers   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender   California SENTRI Participant in Hot Water, CBP Finds Dope in Vehicle   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault on Minor   CBP Revokes Trusted Traveler Privileges After Finding Prohibited Items During Inspection ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Laredo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations officers at the Laredo port of entry yesterday intercepted an incongruous shipment of marijuana valued at $181,000 dollars and arrested a woman in connection with the smuggling attempt.

Just a little after 2 p.m. yesterday, CBP officers performing routine primary inspections on vehicles arriving at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge from Mexico encountered a 52-year-old woman from Arlington, Texas driving a 1999 Ford Expedition SUV pulling a utility trailer loaded with several pieces of furniture. The officers became suspicious of the driver’s behavior and answers to routine questions and referred the vehicle for a thorough inspection.

Officers performing the inspection used a narcotics detector dog to assist with the search. After "Sami" alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the trailer, the officers continued the inspection by using an X-ray system to quickly scan the trailer for anomalies. The officers noticed discrepancies within the bed of the trailer and probed deeper and discovered that the planks of wood in the trailer’s bed had been hollowed out and used as a compartment that, when opened, revealed 63 bundles of marijuana.

The marijuana, weighing 181 pounds, has an estimated street value of more than $181,000 and was seized, along with the SUV and trailer.

The driver, Maria Meza Quiroga was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents for further investigation and prosecution.

"Our officers’ ability to apply their skilled experience and act upon their suspicions, coupled with our canines, tools and technology all contribute to our successes," said Gene Garza, CBP Field Operations Port Director, Laredo. "Our officers recalled the last seizure just like this one from two months ago."

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 U.S. borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.