see also: in January 2003:   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize 166 Pounds of Marijuana and $180,000 Cash in Shipment of Live Bears   South Texas U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize $7.2 Million in Narcotics This Week   Agents seize 106 Pounds of Marijuana at Checkpoint (pdf - 21 KB.)   Border Patrol Agents Seize 221 Pounds of Marijuana (pdf - 22 KB.)   U.S. Customs Service Inspectors at El Paso Port Stop 11 Drug Shipments Wednesday; Seizures Also Made At Presidio, Santa Teresa and Columbus Ports   Enforcement of 24-Hour Rule Begins February 2   U.S. Customs Service Native American Trackers and Special Agents Seize 2,421 Pounds of Marijuana ...more

contacts for this news release

EL PASO, TX--U.S. Customs Service inspectors working at the Paso Del Norte international crossing seized 173 pounds of cocaine Tuesday. A 62-year-old man was arrested in connection with the seizure. The bust was one of eight large drug seizures made Tuesday by U.S. Customs Service inspectors in El Paso and the largest cocaine seizure by Customs inspectors in El Paso since February 2002.

The cocaine seizure was made just before 9:00 a.m. when a 2002 Honda Odyssey arrived at the port from Mexico. A Customs inspector noticed that the driver of the vehicle was nervous and a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a non-factory compartment in the floor of the van. Customs inspectors received high readings from a "Buster" density meter, indicating the possible presence of contraband in the floor of the van. Drug sniffing dog "Merlin" searched the vehicle and alerted to the van. Customs inspectors opened the hidden compartment and removed 74 cocaine-filled bundles from the vehicle. Customs special agents arrived at the port of entry and arrested the driver for importation of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He is identified as 62-year-old Francisco Barriga-Villegas of Chihuahua City, Mexico.

"U.S. Customs Service inspectors in El Paso remain vigilant in their efforts to stop any form of contraband from entering the United States," said David Longoria, U.S. Customs Service Port Director in El Paso. "Our hard work on the border is safeguarding the American public by stopping substantial amounts of cocaine, marijuana and other harmful products from reaching their neighborhoods."

In addition to the large cocaine seizure, Customs inspectors in El Paso also made seven marijuana seizures on Tuesday, confiscating 717 pounds of the illegal substance. Customs inspectors performing outbound inspections in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies also apprehended six individuals who were wanted for a various violations.