see also: in February 2008:   Marijuana Seized by CBP Officers at San Luis, Ariz. Port   Border Patrol in Tucson Seizes 4 Tons of Marijuana   CBP Officers in Philadelphia Discover Venomous 8-Legged Stowaway   Arizona Event to Assist Border Patrol Applicants   Departments of Justice and Homeland Security Announce International Initiative Against Traffickers in Counterfeit Network Hardware   Border Patrol Apprehends 62 Illegal Migrants Hiding in Arizona House   CBP Officers in Calif. Find Smuggled Women in Truck Engine Compartment ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Laredo, Texas – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Hebbronville, Texas station uncovered more than a ton of marijuana hidden within a truckload of cotton seed Monday night.

A tractor-trailer drove into the checkpoint located near Hebbronville and as agents conducted an immigration inspection on the driver, a Border Patrol canine alerted toward the trailer, indicating the presence of hidden contraband or people.

The trailer was an open-top model carrying a bulk load of cotton seed. Agents dug through the seed and discovered 118 bundles of marijuana. The bundles had a total weight of 2,574.8 pounds and an approximate value of $2,059,840.

The driver, truck and drugs were turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at (800) 343-1994.

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.