see also: in November 2006 News Releases:   Ecstasy Seized in Border Smuggling Attempt   Illegal Entry, Vehicle Breakdown Yields Pot Seizure   City, County Governments Laud Efforts of Calexico CBP Officers   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Convicted Felon   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offers Tips for a Quick and Safe Holiday Travel Border Crossing Experience   Attempted Murder Suspects Caught at San Luis Port of Entry   CBP Border Patrol Rescues Four Members of Humane Borders ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers kept busy this weekend, amassing seizures of narcotics valued altogether at nearly $1 million in a 72-hour period at the Laredo Port of Entry.

During a 72-hour period ending on Nov. 5, 2006, CBP Officers at the Laredo Port of Entry seized 240 pounds of marijuana, 25 pounds of cocaine carrying a combined street value of nearly $1 million.

The larger of the two marijuana seizures occurred on Nov. 5, 2006. CBP Officers at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge referred a 1997 GMC Suburban driven by Adelina Sanchez, 34, a U.S. citizen from Houston, TX for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP Officers noted discrepancies in the gas tank area. A CBP Canine alerted to the odor of narcotics in the tank and a non-intrusive imaging system scan also indicated anomalies in the same area. Upon further examination, CBP Officers discovered bundles in the vehicle’s gas tank. CBP Officers seized a total of 120 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $120,000. CBP Officers arrested Sanchez on federal drug charges and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agents, who initiated an investigation into the seizure.

The first marijuana seizure of the weekend occurred on Nov. 4, 2005 at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge. CBP Officers referred a 1994 Chevy C-1500 pickup driven by Laura Alejandra Herrera, 32, a Mexican citizen from Sabinas, Mexico for a secondary examination. During the examination, a CBP Canine alerted to the rear seat area and a non-intrusive imaging system noted anomalies in the same area. CBP officers discovered bundles containing 110 pounds of marijuana behind the rear seat. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $110,000. CBP Officers seized a total of 120 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $120,000. CBP Officers arrested Herrera on federal drug charges and turned her over to ICE Special Agents, who initiated an investigation into the seizure.

The cocaine seizure occurred on Nov. 3, 2006 at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge. CBP Officers referred a 1995 Chevy Cavalier driven by Roberto Aguirre, 37, a U.S. citizen residing in Nuevo Laredo, for a secondary examination. In secondary, a CBP Canine alerted to the quarter panel area. Upon closer examination, CBP officers discovered bundles containing a total of 25 pounds of cocaine in the front quarter panels. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $750,000. Aguirre was arrested on federal drug charges and turned over to ICE Special Agents, who initiated an investigation into the seizure.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.