see also: in January 2002:   U.S. Customs Agents Search Wire Transfer Firm Suspected of Sending Millions to Iraq in Violation of Embargo   U.S. Customs Names New Assistant Commissioner, Congressional Affairs   U.S. Customs Service Inspectors Locate 1,700 Pound Marijuana Load   U.S. Customs Publishes List of First Disbursements Under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000   Area U.S. Customs Service Officers Seize More Than Two Tons of Marijuana   Customs Heroin, Cocaine Seizures Up   International Customs Day ...more

contacts for this news release

Laredo, Tex. -- U.S. Customs inspectors working at the Laredo Port of Entry kept their enforcement momentum going strong with a significant seizure of marijuana yesterday at the World Trade Bridge.

U.S. Customs inspectors and National Guardsmen conducted a routine examination Thursday afternoon of a 1999 Stoughton tractor hauling a shipment of forklift parts. A National Guardsman entering the trailer observed bundles in the front part of the trailer. Canine "Irk" alerted to the bundles. A non-intrusive X-ray exam indicated anomalies in the same area of the trailer. Upon closer examination, inspectors and National Guardsmen removed 37 bundles containing 1,403 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $1.4 million.

The driver Abundio Varela-Puente, 32, a Mexican national from Nuevo Laredo, was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

U.S. Customs special agents brought Varela-Puente for an initial appearance today before a federal magistrate. Varela-Puente was ordered held on an immigration detainer pending a detention hearing scheduled for next week.

Gene Garza, U.S. Customs Port Director, Laredo, noted the cooperative effort that led to this seizure. "Our inspectors and National Guardsmen form a solid team that once again has proven its mettle with this large seizure of marijuana," Garza said.