see also: in October 2002:   Alleged Colombian Heroin Distributor Arrested in Chicago; Among 25 Charged in Operation Smackdown Led by Customs Agents   U.S. Customs Publishes Final Regulations to Require Advance Shipping Information   Customs Agent is Presented the Presidential Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize $7.6 Million in Cocaine at Hidalgo/Pharr in Five Days   More Than 300 Registered for Customs Trade Symposium 2002   Wang Pleads Guilty to Bribery, Smuggling in Export Scheme Involving Chinese Textiles   China Joins the U.S. in Container Security Initiative ...more

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Oroville, WA - U.S. Customs inspectors at the Oroville Port of Entry seized 213 pounds of marijuana during a routine examination of a tractor-trailer Monday night. This is the largest seizure at the port since last May, when a 500 lb. load of marijuana was seized by the U.S. Customs Service.

Inspectors accompanied a 1997 Kenworth tractor-trailer to a local warehouse for unloading and examination of a shipment containing 900 bales of pine wood shavings. Inspectors discovered a false wall near the nose of the trailer concealing eight hockey bags loaded with marijuana. The driver, Brian Frolek, 48, a Canadian citizen from Peachland, British Columbia, was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Frolek made his initial appearance before a federal magistrate in Spokane, WA today.

U.S. Customs Service Area Port Director, Dick Garner, congratulated the Oroville inspectors involved in the seizure. "While we continue to maintain our anti-terrorism focus under Alert Level Yellow, the due diligence and vigilance of our inspectors resulted in a significant drug seizure in the commercial processing environment," Garner said. "British Columbia marijuana smuggling remains an enforcement priority for our officers here in eastern Washington."

The marijuana has an estimated local street value of $745,500.