see also: in December 2004:   CBP Border Patrol Intercepts Over 12,000 Pounds of Marijuana   Customs and Border Protection Names Passic Director of New Office of Drug Interdiction   U.S. and India Sign Pact to Improve Trade and Fight Criminal Activity   CBP Border Patrol’s National Security Efforts Benefit From New Technology   CBP Border Patrol Loses One of Their Own   Murder Suspect Apprehended At Border   Container Security Initiative Port of Livorno, Italy becomes 33rd Operational Port ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Washington D.C. – Over the past three days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 22 lbs. of heroin and nearly 400,000 dollars in currency violations.

“The incidents reflect the sustained vigilance of CBP Officers performing their duties at our Nation’s Ports of Entry", said Assistant Commissioner Jayson P. Ahern. “Each of the seizures represents a victory for public safety and health, and is proof that while our priority mission is keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country, CBP continues to focus on its other important responsibilities. In fact, making our borders safe from terrorists is making the border less hospitable to other kinds of traffickers as well.”

During the four-day stretch, JFK Airport Customs and Border Protection Officers encountered a citizen of Guatemala carrying 10,849.5 grams of heroin in a false-sided suitcase. In Madawaska, Maine CBP officers reported discovering 283,760 dollars in undeclared currency inside a duffel bag in the trunk of a U.S. Citizen’s car. At Opa Locka Airport near Miami, Florida 2 individuals declared 30,000 dollars in currency; however, during the interview CBP officers determined that 1 of the individuals had given 4 other passengers 37,533 dollars with instructions not to declare the money. The currency was seized for violation of 31USC5316. This individual, a citizen of Venezuela, was arrested and transported to the Federal Detention Center.

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.