see also: in February 2007 News Releases:   Border Officers Respond To Medical Emergency   Federal Authorities Seize Narcotics Valued at More Than $15 Million in Caribbean   Spring Breakers: Get Your Passports Now   CBP Seizes 403 Pounds of Undeclared Cheese, Two Vehicles at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge   U.S.-Canada Trusted Air Traveler Program Expands   CBP Border Patrol Agents Rescue 56 Aliens from Truck   ACE Mandated for E-manifest Filing at Border Ports in Michigan and New York ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Nogales, Ariz. – For the third time in less than three weeks, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Nogales port of entry have stopped a major attempt at smuggling marijuana into the US, seizing almost a ton hidden inside a commercial truck loaded with produce.

At a little before 4:30 yesterday afternoon, CBP officers screening incoming commercial shipments of produce selected a 1987 Kenworth tractor and trailer loaded with cucumbers for an intensive inspection. The vehicle was sent into the commercial compound for an inspection using the vehicle x-ray system. The images showed unusual items loaded among the pallets of produce, so the vehicle was sent for a complete off-load. As the trailer was being unloaded, the officers notices bales of what turned out to be marijuana hidden among the pallets. In all, a total of 75 bundles were removed. The 1,766 pounds of marijuana has an estimated value of almost $1.8 million.

“Our officers remain vigilant for all potential avenues for smuggling contraband into the country,” said Port Director James Tong, “This is a prime example of their ability to look at what appears be a benign importation and determine that it is in reality an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of a dangerous drug.”

Enforcement efforts at the Nogales port of entry over the last two weeks have resulted in the seizure of more than 6,000 pounds of marijuana; more than 13,000 pounds of marijuana have been seized since the beginning of the fiscal year.

The Office of Field Operations is responsible for operations at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, and protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for 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.