see also: in August 2007 News Releases:   Border Patrol Agents Seize Drugs at California Checkpoint   Palm Beach, Fla. Welcomes New Tool in Fighting Terror Weapons   Drug Seizure Activity at Border Ports Remains Brisk; El Paso CBP Nabs More Than 2 Tons of Pot   Yuma Border Agents Help Local Police Track 3 Fleeing Burglary Scene   CBP Officers at Laredo, Texas Entry Seize Almost $6 Million in Drugs in Two Seizures   Suspected Smuggling Lookouts Captured in Desert   1st Director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Northwest Retires ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Memphis, Tenn. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Memphis International Airport’s FedEx facility seized approximately 400 pounds of marijuana with a street value of approx $300,000 concealed in concrete pillars.

CBP officers performing pre-arrival manifest review July 26 at the FedEx hub in Memphis selected a shipment manifested as "stone chimney" for intensive exam. When the package arrived in the CBP exam area, a CBP officer opened the package and noticed six pillars made of concrete.

A drill exam on a pillar produced a green leafy substance. A CBP detector dog team was called in and alerted on the pillars. The substance field-tested positive for marijuana. The remainder pillars were tested and all six were found to contain marijuana

The marijuana and pillars were then turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE agents recently apprehended the consignee after he took delivery of the pillars. The subject is currently being held in custody awaiting deportation from the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.