see also: in August 2005 Press Releases:   DHS: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Formally Submitted for Public Comment   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Canine Superstar Wins Paws to Recognize Voting Contest   Border Patrol Seizes Refrigerated Truck Trailer Loaded with Aliens   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Selects the “Predator B” as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Platform to Guard our Nations Borders   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Murder Suspect   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Apprehends Man Wanted for Murder   CBP Aircraft Coordinates Vessel Interdiction; Major Load of Cocaine Seized ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Falfurrias, Texas – On August 18, 2005, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol agents assigned to the Falfurrias Checkpoint seized 203 pounds of cocaine with an estimated value of $6,496,000.00 that was hidden in the sleeper compartment of a tractor-trailer.

Early this morning, a 1995 Freightliner tractor-trailer entered the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint. As the Border Patrol agent on primary inspection conducted an immigration check on the driver, a Border Patrol Canine Team conducted a non-intrusive, free air sniff around the tractor-trailer area. When the canine alerted on the exterior of the tractor-trailer, the driver was directed to the secondary inspection area for a closer inspection of the trailer. Agents searched the trailer and discovered 77 bundles of cocaine wrapped in duct tape weighing approximately 203 pounds with an estimated value of $6,496,000.00.

The driver, a 28-year-old resident from Edinburg, Texas was arrested. The cocaine, suspect and vehicle were transferred to the custody of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Corpus Christi, Texas for further investigation.

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.