see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   CBP Officers Apprehend Illegal Alien Hidden on Rail Car   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Douglas, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Douglas port of entry seized more than 450 pounds of marijuana in four separate instances this past weekend, arresting four persons in connection with the failed smuggling attempts.

“These seizures reflect not only the varied lengths smugglers will go to in an attempt to get past us,” said Port Director Michael Humphries, “ but also the dedication of our officers and their ability to think creatively when looking for indications of smuggling, as well as using canines in our anti-smuggling efforts.”

The first narcotics seizure occurred on Saturday at about 11 a.m., when a CBP officer screening incoming vehicles became suspicious of the driver of a 1996 Ford Windstar van and sent him in for further inspection. During routine questioning, the driver became visibly nervous. The officer called in a narcotics detector dog, who alerted to narcotics odor coming from the vehicle. Officers began conducting a thorough search of the vehicle and discovered 54 packages concealed in compartments inside the fenders. The approximate weight of the narcotics was 104 pounds of marijuana, which along with the vehicle were seized. The driver, an 18-year-old female and citizen of Mexico was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further processing.

The second seizure occurred at about 6 p.m. on that same day when a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder with Arizona license plates was referred to the vehicle secondary examination area after the primary officer notice inconsistencies with the driver’s responses. Once in vehicle secondary, CBP officers requested a narcotic detector dog to screen the vehicle which resulted in a positive alert for the presence of a narcotic odor. The inspection resulted in the discovery of 28 packages of marijuana hidden inside the gas tank. The total weight of the narcotic was 34 pounds of marijuana. The driver, a 20-year-old female and citizen of the United States was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further processing.

The third narcotic seizure occurred on Sunday October 26, 2008 at about 12:20 pm, when a CBP officer screening incoming vehicles became suspicious of the driver of a 1998 Chevrolet venture. Based on the driver’s answers to routine questions and discrepancies with the vehicle, officers searched the vehicle thoroughly and discovered packages hidden through out the interior of the vehicle. A total of 150 packages of marijuana were removed, weighing over 192 pounds, which were seized along with the vehicle. The driver, an 18-year-old female and citizen of Mexico was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further processing.

Later that day at about 6 p.m. on Sunday a 20-year-old female United States citizen was driving a 1998 Ford Expedition. While in the inspection lot, CBP officers thoroughly inspected the vehicle and again used a narcotic detector dog, which alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers upon further inspection discovered five metal boxes hidden inside the gas tank. The approximate weight of the narcotics was 127 pounds of marijuana, which along with the vehicle were seized. The driver was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement 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.