see also: in April 2002:   Congressmen Honor U.S. Customs Employees   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Hidalgo Seize $390,000 in Methamphetamine   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Laredo Arrest Iraqi Fugitive Wanted by FBI in Michigan   U.S. Customs Inspectors, Del Rio, Seize 2,591 Pounds of Cocaine - Largest U.S.-Mexico Border Coke Seizure in FY 2002 To Date   Customs Kids Join Parents on the Job as Part of "Bring Your Child To Work Day" Event   U.S. Customs Service Patrol Officers Seize 1,678 Pounds of Marijuana on Monday ...more

contacts for this news release

Buffalo, New York - U.S. Customs Service and DEA officials announced the arrest on Sunday, April 21, 2002 of Kate Cho, 27, of 7801 Somerset Court, Greenbelt, Maryland, after finding more than 33,000 pills hidden in the back panels of her rental van.

During a routine vehicle secondary inspection at the Lewiston Bridge Federal Inspection Station, U.S. Customs Inspectors, assigned to the Port of Buffalo, discovered 33,553 pills which tested positive for ecstasy (chemically known as MDMA), and other narcotic substances, as well as 13.5 pounds of hashish and a small quantity of hydroponic marijuana.

Inspectors initiated an intensive search of the vehicle after "Eros", a Customs narcotic detector dog alerted on the rear quarter panels of the passenger van. A total of twelve packages of the drugs was discovered within the rear quarter panels and side door of the late model Dodge Caravan.

Ms. Cho, a Canadian citizen and resident alien in the United States was arrested by Customs Special Agents. The investigation is continuing.

Ms. Cho is charged with intent to distribute a controlled substance and smuggling. Prosecution is by the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Western District of New York, Buffalo Division.