see also: in September 2006 News Releases:   CBP Seized Heroin Onboard Mayaguez Ferry   The Dominican Republic to Implement Container Security Initiative and Begin Targeting and Pre-Screening Cargo Destined For U.S.   Bahamas to Implement Container Security Initiative and Begin Targeting and Pre-Screening Cargo Destined for United States   Civil Penalties for Agriculture Import Violations to Increase October 1   CBP Border Patrol Arrests Homicide Suspect in Abilene, Texas   Border Patrol Advanced Training to Move to Charleston, S.C.   National Guard Spots Attempted Vehicle Drive-through ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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San Juan, Puerto Rico – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in collaboration with other Federal agencies targeted a shipment arriving from Venezuela and destined for Mexico. CBP Officers analyzed electronic manifests presented by sea carriers and selected the shipment with cargo described as concrete mixers. Inspection resulted in on of the largest seizure of cocaine for this fiscal year. A little over 2,223 kilos of cocaine were seized.

Once CBP Officers targeted the container they requested it be presented for inspection once offloaded from vessel. During inspection CBP Officer noted that contents of container did not conform to information provided on the manifest. Container was filled with boxes of old photocopier paper. Inside several of the boxes officers found brick size packages containing the cocaine.

CBP Officers in Puerto Rico has seized over 9,717 pounds of cocaine during this fiscal year. “CBP Officers are tasked with securing the ports of entry against terrorists and terrorist weapons, while at the same time preventing the entrance of any kind of contraband thru our borders” said Marcelino Borges, CBP Director of Field Operations for the Caribbean. “Our employees are the most valuable assets we have, and without the commitment and dedication of our officers, Customs and Border Protection would not be able to accomplish our missions of anti-terrorism and narcotics interdiction. This seizure is a good example of what our officers are doing every day.”

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.