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

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San Luis, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrest three people for attempting to smuggle marijuana into the United States.

“The officers are very skilled in keeping up with the smuggling trends,” said Port Director William K. Brooks. “Their attentiveness to the smugglers concealment methods and trends is great.”

On January 24, a male 20-year-old United States citizen applied for entry into the U.S. driving a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. He was subsequently referred to secondary for further inspection due to inconsistencies during the inspection by the primary CBP officer. In secondary, assistance from a narcotics K-9 resulted in a positive alert to the rear area of the SUV. Further investigation of the spare tire revealed 6 packages of marijuana with a weight of more than 38 pounds. The man was immediately arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation. The marijuana and vehicle were seized.

On January 26, a 22-year-old Mexican man accompanied by a passenger applied for entry into the U.S. while driving a 2001 Chevy Impala. The primary CBP officer referred them to secondary for further inspection due to irregular responses to routine questions. In secondary, a narcotics K-9 was utilized and alerted to the front end of the vehicle where officers discovered 28 packages of marijuana within the front bumper area with a total weight of more than 49 pounds. Both men were immediately arrested and turned over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.

The total estimated street value of the marijuana was $50,000.

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.