see also: in January 2009:   CBP Officers Discover 957 Pounds of Marijuana in Concrete Pipes   CBP Canine Detects $600,000 Worth of Marijuana at Douglas Port   CBP Officers Seize $80,000 of Marijuana at Naco Port of Entry   Border Patrol Stops Vehicle, Leads to Meth Seizure   CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge Seize Fake $20’s Found during Outbound Inspection   Border Patrol Agents Rescue Woman Injured in Car Accident   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Arrest Wanted Sex Offender ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations officers performing anti-terrorism inspections at the El Paso port of entry made nine marijuana seizures on Wednesday, seizing 698 pounds of the drug. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is in excess of $558,000.

The largest seizure of the day occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. at the Ysleta international crossing when a 1988 Chevrolet van entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers were performing a pre-primary sweep of vehicles waiting in line when CBP drug sniffing dog “Outlaw” alerted his handler to the rear of the van. CBP officers initiated a search of the vehicle and discovered 84 drug filled bundles of marijuana concealed in a non-factory roof compartment. The drugs weighed 181 pounds.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special agents arrested the driver of the van after federal prosecution was accepted. The driver is 43-year-old Luz Elena Olivarez of Juarez, Mexico. Olivarez is currently detained at the El Paso County Jail.

“CBP’s primary mission is ant-terrorism, however our officers continue to make impressive drug seizures daily,” said William Molaski, CBP El Paso port director. “Their continued commitment to the anti-terror mission of CBP uncovers numerous drug, immigration and agriculture violations.”

In addition to the previously mentioned seizure, CBP officers working at the El Paso port of entry made the following eight additional drug seizures on Wednesday.

At 9:26 a.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 98.56 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the rear bumper of a 1995 Ford Thunderbird. A 51-year-old Juarez man was arrested.

At 11:04 a.m., CBP officers at the BOTA crossing seized 13.2 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in a seat belt compartment of a 1991 Chevrolet S-10 pickup. No arrest was made.

At 1:20 p.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 16.89 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in a non-factory compartment in the undercarriage of a 1997 Chevrolet S-10 pickup. A 38-year-old Juarez Mexico man was arrested.

At 2:32 p.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 17.86 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the engine valve covers of a 1991 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck. No arrest.

At 2:50 p.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 122.36 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the quarter panels of a 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette. A 21-year-old Juarez man was arrested.

At 6:20 p.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 81.97 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the gas tank, dash board, and rear bumper of a 2003 Jeep Cherokee. An 18-year-old Horizon City woman was arrested.

At 8:50 p.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 77.30 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in a none-factory compartment of a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. A 20-year-old El Paso female was arrested.

At 9:42 p.m., CBP officers at the Bridge of the Americas crossing seized 88.96 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in all four tires of a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue. A 20-year-old El Paso male was arrested.

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.