see also: in January 2008:   Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: A Year in Review   CBP, National Guard Announce Super Bowl Flight Restrictions   Cooperation Leads to Apprehension of International Fugitive   Border Patrol Seizes $109,944 Stashed in Vehicle   CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving from Dominican into Puerto Rico   CBP and ICE Donate Thousands of Shoes to Charity   Operation Uniforce 8 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

El Paso, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers performing anti-terror inspections at the El Paso port of entry on Tuesday seized 225 pounds of marijuana that were concealed in a vehicle being driven by a 69-year-old Mexican male. The seizure was the largest of five drug loads stopped by CBP officers at the El Paso port yesterday. CBP officers seized a total of 418 pounds of marijuana and 21 pounds of cocaine in those five busts.

The 225-pound seizure was made late Tuesday morning at the Ysleta crossing as CBP officers were inspecting cars in the queue of vehicles south of the inspection booths. During the “pre-primary” sweep of waiting cars, CBP drug sniffing dog “Outlaw” alerted to the bumper of a car in line.

CBP officers examined the vehicle in line and spotted taped bundles in the bumper of a 1996 Mercury Sable being driven by a 69-year-old man from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. CBP officers removed a total of 200 marijuana-filled bundles from the bumper. The driver was taken into custody and turned over to the El Paso police for prosecution.

“This seizure is another example why CBP officers must remain vigilant and thorough in their inspection process at area ports,” said Arthur Gonzales, CBP’s acting El Paso port director. “Criminals will try to blend in with legitimate traffic in an attempt to pass drug loads or violate other laws. The attention to detail demonstrated by the CBP officers involved in this seizure prevented that from happening.”

In addition to the five drug loads stopped on Tuesday, CBP officers at the El Paso port also identified 10 other violations including people attempting to enter with counterfeit documents, imposters, agriculture violations and identifying a stolen car.

“A total of 15 violations were identified during the course of the day and the maximum wait time at any location was 47 minutes although it was considerably shorter throughout the day at all locations,” said Gonzales. “CBP officers are doing an excellent job keeping traffic moving while enforcing the laws designed to protect this nation.”

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

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.