see also: in September 2005 Press Releases:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Stands Down Hurricane Operations in the Gulf Coast Area   40th CBP Container Security Initiative Port Operational   CBP Makes History with the Launch of Predator B   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Apprehends Fedex Bandit   CBP Employees Recognized for their Outstanding Contributions to Public Service at 2005 Service to America Awards Ceremony   CBP Pilot’s Heroic Efforts Save the Lives of 22 People Abandoned in the Desert ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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McAllen, Texas – On September 27, 2005, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol agents assigned to the McAllen Station seized 1,134 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of $907,200 that was hidden in the camper area of a white colored pick up truck.

Border Patrol agents responded to a suspicious vehicle in an area near the Hidalgo, Texas Port of Entry. When agents approached the vehicle, the vehicle abruptly exited the area and headed south towards the Rio Grande River. The vehicle came to a stop and the driver exited the vehicle and jumped into the Rio Grande River swimming south into Mexico. A search of the white pickup truck contained ten bundles, each of which contained smaller packages of marijuana totaling 137 and weighing 1,134 pounds. The contraband was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.