see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working anti-terrorism operations at the Bridge of Americas commercial cargo facility in El Paso seized close to a ton of marijuana Friday afternoon. The seized contraband has an estimated street value of $1,401,600.

The seizure was made shortly after 1:30 p.m. when a 1993 International tractor arrived at primary inspection from Mexico. The driver told CBP that he was hauling an empty trailer. CBP officers conducting pre-primary canine operations searched the trailer using CBP drug sniffing dog “Max”. The canine alerted to the floor area of the trailer.

CBP officers drilled into the floor of the trailer, producing a substance which tested positive for marijuana. CBP officers dismantled the floor compartment and removed a total of 1,553 marijuana-filled bundles.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents arrested the driver Brando Zubia-Ruiz, 35 in connection with the failed smuggling attempt. He is a Mexican National from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.

“The CBP mission of screening merchandise and vehicles, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade is a constant balancing act,” said Patricia Aveitia, U.S. Customs and Border Protection acting El Paso port director. “A layered enforcement strategy allows us to maintain our anti-terrorism mission and quickly process cargo shipments.”

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.