see also: in July 2006 News Releases:   SENTRI Participants Revoked for Agriculture Violations   Monthly Trade Payments to CBP Reach $5 Billion   Border Patrol, National Guard Partnership Helps Deny, Deter Illegal Immigration   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offers Tips for Summer Border Travel   CBP Agriculture Specialist Intercepts Voracious Slug   Customs and Border Protection Has Five Drug Seizures In Five Days At The Detroit Border Crossings   Customs and Border Protection South Florida Marina Update ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers   CBP News Releases on the web:   National Center for Missing & Exploited Children   Operation Predator

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Indio, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents seized 174 pounds of marijuana worth $139,200 in two separate incidents. In both cases, a mobile X-ray machine, operated by National Guard troops, assisted the agents in locating the narcotics.

On July 11, a 1997 Chevrolet Venture minivan drove into the Border Patrol checkpoint near Indio, Calif., underwent an initial inspection and was referred to the secondary inspection area after a CBP Border Patrol K-9 unit alerted to the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, the canine team focused on an area below the floor panel. California National Guard troops operated a mobile X-ray and were able to locate the contraband. As a result of the search, a total of 24 packages of marijuana were found under the second row of seats. A total of 80 pounds of marijuana was seized, valued at $64,000.

The female driver was taken into custody and turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office along with the vehicle and the contraband.

Yesterday, in a separate incident, Border Patrol agents assigned to the checkpoint near Indio, Calif. seized 94 pounds of marijuana, valued at $75,200 and apprehended a male Mexican citizen. The marijuana was located using a mobile X-ray machine operated by the National Guard. The suspect, vehicle and marijuana, were turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office.

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.