see also: in March 2006 News Releases:   Customs and Border Protection Seized the Moment at Elementary School   CBP Donates Thousands of Seized Clothing Items and Toys to Those Affected by Hurricane Rita   Cooperative Effort Between CBP Border Patrol and Mexican Police Leads to Narcotic Seizure and Arrests   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Thwart Human Smuggling Attempt   Aduanas Y Proteccion Fronteriza Recomiendan Tramitar Con Tiempo Permiso I-94 Durante Semana Santa   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Urges Easter Holiday Travelers to Apply Early for I-94 Documents   Sarita Checkpoint Seizures Net Marijuana and Cocaine ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Alamogordo, N.M. – CBP Border Patrol agents in Alamogordo, New Mexico seized more than a half-million dollars worth of marijuana early Tuesday that was being smuggled into the United States through a traffic checkpoint on Highway 54.

Border Patrol agents encountered a male subject at the checkpoint south of Alamogordo at approximately 1:00 a.m. The subject, a 44-year old male, was driving a U-HAUL truck as he approached the checkpoint. Agents became suspicious of the cargo area of the truck, and referred it for further inspection.

During a secondary inspection, agents detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from inside the rear of the vehicle. A Border Patrol canine was brought in to conduct a non-intrusive search. The canine confirmed the scent of marijuana, which ultimately led agents to 1,099 bundles covered in brown packaging tape. Agents removed the bundles that tested positive for properties of marijuana. A total of 1,220 pounds of marijuana was seized, valued at $976,040.

The driver, marijuana and the U-HAUL were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for federal disposition.

Since October 1, 2005, agents in Alamogordo, New Mexico have seized approximately $5 million in narcotics, in 101 separate seizures.

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.