see also: in February 2009:   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Fugitive Wanted on Drug Charges   CBP Discovers Illegal Aliens Hidden in Vehicle's Water Tank, Speaker Box   Border Patrol Nets 68 Pounds of Cocaine in Latest Seizure   CBP Officers Seize More than $665,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry   CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham Retires   El Paso Area CBP Officers Apprehend Louisiana Suspect Wanted for Attempted Murder and 39 Other Fugitives   Trusted Traveler Participant in New York Arrested with Child Pornography ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Roma/Falcon Dam, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Roma and Falcon Dam International Bridge seized close to 140 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of close to $112,000 and $444,440 in undeclared U.S. currency.

Yesterday, at 7:50 a.m., CBP officers working at the Roma International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2001 GMC pickup truck. While at primary, officers noted discrepancies to a tool box located in the pickup’s bed. As a result, the pickup truck and driver were referred to secondary for an intensive examination.

In secondary, “Nero”, a narcotic detector dog, quickly alerted officers to the presence of narcotic odors emanating from the bed of the pickup truck. The vehicle was then referred for a non-intrusive image scan. X-ray images revealed anomalies within the pickup’s tool box, bed and spare tire. During an intensive examination of the vehicle, officers found the tool box equipped with a secret compartment which concealed several marijuana packages. Additional marijuana packages were also found hidden in truck’s front bed wall, rear quarter panels and in the spare tire.

In total, officers removed 75 marijuana packages found hidden in the tool box compartment, bed wall/quarter panels and in the spare tire. The driver identified as Francisco Rocha Gutierrez, a Mexican citizen, age 32, from Ciudad Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico was arrested on federal drug charges. After his arrest, Rocha Gutierrez was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt. Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Rocha Gutierrez remains incarcerated. CBP officers seized the marijuana and the GMC pickup truck.

On January 31, at 10:30 a.m., CBP officers working outbound enforcement operations at the Falcon Dam International Bridge came in contact with a southbound 2005 Ford Explorer SUV prior to it exiting the U.S. to enter Mexico. The vehicle, driver and two passengers, an 18-year-old female and a one-year-old boy were then referred to secondary for an intensive examination. In secondary, officers noted discrepancies to the vehicle’s spare tire. Officers then referred the vehicle for a non-intrusive image scan. X-ray images revealed anomalies within the vehicle’s spare tire. “Vice”, a currency detector dog, alerted officers to the presence of currency odors emanating from the spare tire.

While conducting an intensive examination of the vehicle, officers found several packages of bulk U.S. currency hidden in the spare tire. The driver, identified as Ana Rauda Chapa, a U.S. citizen, age 41 from Rosenberg, Texas was arrested for failure to declare the U.S. currency and federal bulk cash smuggling charges. After her arrest, Rauda Chapa was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents who continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt.

Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Rauda Chapa remains incarcerated. “Bulk cash smuggling is a serious crime," said Jerry Robinette, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Antonio. "Those who think that our ports are easy points for contraband are mistaken. ICE, along with our Department of Homeland Security partners, will continue using our unique authorities to enforce our immigration and customs laws."

CBP officers seized the bulk cash U.S. currency and the Ford Explorer. The passengers were released.

Cris Cantu, CBP port director, Roma/Falcon Dam said, “I commend my officers for their vigilance, and for intercepting the marijuana load and the outbound U.S. currency.” Cantu further said, “K-9 Nero and Vice were instrumental in alerting officers to the presence of narcotic and currency odors.”

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.