see also: in September 2003:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Nabs Three Sisters Smuggling Cocaine, Heroin   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Names Directors of 78 Major Ports Nationwide   CBP Inspectors Make Another Record Heroin Seizure at El Paso Port   CBP Inspectors Seize $268,936 in Eagle Pass; Husband, Wife Arrested   CBP Signs $500 Million Contract With Chenega Technology Services Corporation   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Dedicates New Office Space in Newark, New Jersey ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers   CBP News Releases

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EL PASO, TX--U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors working at the Paso Del Norte Bridge at the El Paso Port of Entry seized half a pound of heroin Monday. The drugs were concealed in a teddy bear being carried by a 25-year-old man from Mexico.

The seizure was made in the pedestrian inspection area after CBP officers noticed the man loitering in the area just south of the inspection lanes. Inspectors approached the man then and requested identification. The man was identified as Luis Enrique Luevano of Torreon, Mexico. A records check on the man indicated that he had a criminal history and is currently listed on the Texas Department of Public Safety website as a registered sex offender in the state of Texas.

During the inspection process, inspectors noticed that Luevano was holding a teddy bear closely against his body. Inspectors took custody of the bear and CBB drug sniffing dog "Sandy" searched the toy and gave a positive alert for the presence of drugs. Inspectors opened the teddy bear and discovered a small plastic bag containing a brown substance that tested positive for heroin. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested Luevano. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and is being on federal drug charges and being held without bond.

The discovery of heroin hidden in a teddy bear is only the latest in a variety of unusual concealment methods CBP inspectors have uncovered in the past. Several of the novel concealment methods discovered include:

• Drugs surgically implanted in a mans thigh.
• Contraband hidden in a womans wig.
• Cocaine surgically implanted in a living dog
• Marijuana concealed in the hollowed out boards of wooden pallets.
• Cocaine masked in the soles of shoes.
• Marijuana bundles in manmade landscaping stones.
• Drugs stashed in the manifold of an engine.
• A variety of drugs in body cavities and/or ingested.
• A marijuana load in the floorboard of a trailer hauling two live bears.
• Drugs concealed in new furniture.
• Marijuana hidden in metal cans disguised as food products.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a new agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies U.S. Customs, Immigration and Agriculture inspectors and the Border Patrol.