see also: in April 2006 News Releases:   CBP Officers Seize Thousands of Dollars from Sentri Participant   CBP Nabs Murder Suspects at Two Different Port of Entries   Border Patrol’s BORSTAR Team Saving Lives   CBP Officers Seize Over Three Tons of Marijuana at Calexico Ports   CBP Border Patrol Agents Apprehend Wanted Fugitive Featured on America’s Most Wanted   Homeland Security Officials Unveil Latest Radiation Technology to Secure our Nation's Seaports   Rising Temperatures in South Texas Prompt Rescue Efforts ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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San Juan, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized last night a shipment of marijuana with a street value of more than $435,000.

While conducting routine inspection of merchandise arriving onboard Motor Vessel El Faro, CBP Officers selected several containers for examination. In one of the containers the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (AT-CET) Officers found merchandise not included in the manifest. CBP Officers discovered a wooden crate sealed with glue, silicone and foam. CBP personnel opened the crate containing cardboard boxes with clear rubber-maid containers. These were also sealed with silicone, taped and wrapped with plastic wrap. Despite smugglers attempts to disguise the smell with fabric softener sheets K-9 units alerted positive to the odor of narcotics. A total of 558 pounds of a green leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana was confiscated. The Motor Vessel El Faro arrived from Jacksonville, Florida and its containers final destination was Puerto Rico.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, CBP Officers in Puerto Rico seized 4,790 lbs of marijuana with a street value of more than $3.7 million.

No arrests have been made in connection to this seizure. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue with the investigation.

Although CBP’s primary mission is to protect our nation from terrorist and weapons of mass destruction entering the U.S. this agency is also tasked with detaining illegal drugs entering the country.

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.