see also: in December 2002:   U.S. Customs Opens Trade Fastlanes!   U.S. Customs Sees Dramatic Rise in Cocaine Seizures Along Southwest Border   Statement from U. S. Customs Service Commissioner Robert C. Bonner Regarding Today's Announcement by the European Commission*   Customs Finds Almost 8,600 lbs. of Marijuana in Tractor-Trailer   U.S. Customs Inspectors in South Texas Seize $7.5 Million in Narcotics, $328,392 in Cash This Week   U.S. Customs Seizes $1.1 Million in Marijuana at Laredo's Colombia-Solidarity Bridge ...more

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TUCSON, AZ--U.S. Customs Service inspectors working at the Nogales Mariposa cargo facility seized 1,395 pounds of marijuana Thursday. The seizure was the largest made by Customs officers in Arizona during the past week. Overall, U.S. Customs Service inspectors, special agents, patrol officers and canine enforcement officers confiscated 7,509 pounds of marijuana in 36 seizures during the past seven days.

The 1,395-pound marijuana seizure was made just before noon at the Mariposa cargo facility when a 1985 Freightliner tractor-trailer entered the compound from Mexico. U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors selected the vehicle for an agricultural inspection. While unloading the trailer, USDA officers noticed unusual packaging within the trailer and notified Customs. U.S. Customs Service inspectors removed 65 packages from the trailer. The contents of the packages tested positive for marijuana. The driver of the tractor was interviewed by Customs agents and then turned over to INS for processing. No arrests were made. The investigation is continuing.

In another large enforcement action, U.S. Customs Service special agents in Douglas made a 1,104-pound marijuana seizure on December 18. Customs agents developed information that a large drug load was being stored at a home in Pirtleville, Ariz. Customs special agents initiated an investigation that resulted in the discovery of 1,104 pounds of marijuana concealed in a 1988 Chevrolet truck at the property. The investigation is continuing.

Another large drug seizure was made by U.S. Customs Service Native American Patrol Officers working out the Sells office of the resident agent in charge. On December 18, Customs Patrol Officers (CPOs) seized 848 pounds of abandoned marijuana. The drugs were found in a stolen vehicle that was recovered on Federal Route 42 on the Tohono O'Odham Nation. During the week, CPOs confiscated 3,105 pounds of marijuana in eight seizures.

In addition to the marijuana seized this week, U.S. Customs Service officers in Arizona also apprehended nine wanted individuals, seized $305,182 in smuggled currency, recovered three stolen vehicles, seized three vehicles with illegal hidden compartments, and confiscated smuggled prescription medications, and cigarettes.