see also: in February 2005 Press Releases:   CBP Border Patrol Seizes Cocaine Valued at Over $15 Million   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Homicide Suspect from Chicago   Mother and Two Teen Daughters Caught Smuggling Marijuana by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at Nogales Port   Joint Announcement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Mexican Customs for the Tecate Port of Entry to Begin Processing Traffic on Friday, February 11, 2005   U.S. Customs and Border Protection FY 2006 Budget   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces Tom Bortmes as Executive Director, Office of Intelligence ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington, D.C. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a number of large narcotic seizures and the arrest of a suspect wanted for murder. While the priority mission of CBP is preventing terrorists and weapons of terror from entering the United States, the agency also stops illegal narcotics at the border.

“Day and night, the men and woman of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are relentless in their mission of protecting America at our borders,” said CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner.

While conducting routine anti-terrorism activities, CBP Officers and Border Patrol Agents experienced significant seizures during the week of February 6-12, 2005. Highlights include:

• Laredo, Texas: CBP Officers conducting enforcement operations discovered 135 pounds of cocaine concealed within metal compartments built into the sidewalls of a pickup truck. A large-scale x-ray revealed the hidden compartments. (2/7/05)
• Newark, New Jersey: CBP Officers identified a sea container from Jamaica for closer scrutiny. Although the shipment was declared as yams, the inspection yielded 12,745 pounds of marijuana. (2/7/05)
• Newport, Vermont: While assisting the Vermont State Police, a CBP Border Patrol K-9 alerted to 15 boxes in the rear of a van. Within the boxes were vacuum-sealed packages containing 750 pounds of ephedrine which is often used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.(2/8/05)
• Naco, Arizona: After stopping a suspicious pickup truck entering the U.S., CBP Border Patrol Agents seized 1,579 pounds of marijuana. (2/9/05)
• San Juan, Puerto Rico: CBP Officers participating in a multi-agency enforcement action discovered more than 2,000 pounds of cocaine concealed within a coastal freighter. At the Coast Guard Station in San Juan, boarding teams found the cocaine after discovering a hatch that had been covered in sawdust and saturated with ammonia to mask the scent from drug detecting K-9’s. (2/10/05)
• La Rosita, Texas: CBP Border Patrol Agents assigned to Rio Grande City, Texas, arrested a Mexican national and seized 1,847 pounds of marijuana. (2/10/05)
• Laredo, Texas: CBP Border Patrol Agents arrested three United States citizens attempting to smuggle 4,181 pounds of marijuana. (2/11/05)
• Kingsville, Texas: CBP Border Patrol Agents seized 2,180 pounds of marijuana and arrested a United States citizen at the CBP checkpoint in Sarita. (2/12/05)

In addition to these significant narcotic seizures this past week, CBP Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector announced the arrest of an individual wanted for murder in Chicago, Illinois. On Monday, February 7, 2005, Border Patrol Agents apprehended Edwin Fontanez of Puerto Rico after he attempted to circumvent a checkpoint in Desert Haven, Texas. Fontanez was identified as a suspect in a murder that took place in Chicago, Illinois. He was turned over to the El Paso Police Department for extradition to Chicago.

“These cases should send a clear message to smugglers and felons alike: CBP Officers and Border Patrol Agents never rest,” Bonner added. “We are on guard and on the lookout for you and your illegal contraband.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation’s borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol are now consolidated into one border agency for the United States.