see also: in May 2002:   U.S. Customs Announces International Counterfeit Case Involving Caterpillar Heavy Equipment   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Eagle Pass Seize Five Drug Loads in Five Days, Including Three on Monday   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize $3.6 Million in Cocaine, Methamphetamine at Hidalgo/Pharr Port of Entry Over Weekend   U.S. Customs Task Force Arrests 11 Charged in Heroin-Smuggling Conspiracy in New York and New Jersey   Child Sex Offender Fugitive Wanted by Arizona and Massachusetts Authorities Captured at Brownsville Port of Entry   Mother's Day Delivery at Fabens Port ...more on cbp.gov:   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Eagle Pass Seize Five Drug Loads in Five Days, Including Three on Monday

contacts for this news release

LAREDO, TEXAS--U.S. Customs inspectors in Laredo last night seized $1.7 million in marijuana during a routine examination of a tractor-trailer at World Trade Bridge. The driver was arrested and is scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate today.

A U.S. Customs inspector referred a 1996 International tractor hauling a shipment of beer for a secondary examination. During a routine examination, a U.S. Customs inspector observed bundles on top of the manifested shipment. Canine "Bols" alerted to the bundles and a non-intrusive imaging system scan indicated anomalies in the trailer. Upon further examination, inspectors discovered a total of 1,787 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $1.7 million. The driver, Juan Palacios-Varela, 26, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Gene Garza, U.S. Customs Port Director, Laredo, congratulated the inspectors on making the seizure. "After a round of impressive seizures of tons of narcotics last week, the inspectors and canine enforcement officers last night showed they are maintaining a resolute watch on passenger and commercial traffic and will continue to confiscate significant loads of contraband," Garza said.

In the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2002, which officially began October 1, 2001, U.S. Customs inspectors and special agents from Brownsville to Del Rio to Austin seized a total of 232,514 pounds of marijuana, 5,533 pounds of cocaine, 16.5 pounds of heroin and 146.5 pounds of methamphetamine. Compared to the same period in FY 2001, the FY 2002 seizures reflect increases from 22 percent to 70 percent. The heroin seizure totals decreased, but the FY 2001 figure is skewed by an unusually large seizure of 59 pounds of heroin in Laredo in December 2000.