U.S. Border Patrol’s All-Terrain Unit Seizes 1,700 Pounds of Marijuana

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Tucson, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo Station’s All-Terrain Unit (ATU) seized approximately 1,700 pounds of marijuana Saturday worth more than $1.3 million in the west desert.

Agents were tracking foot sign of a group of suspected illegal aliens about 20 miles west of Lukeville, Ariz., when they discovered 84 bundles of marijuana. After securing the area, the agents continued the search for the backpackers but were unable to locate the individuals. The marijuana was transported and processed at the Ajo Station pending transfer to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

With the effective deployment of manpower, technology and infrastructure, the U.S. Border Patrol continues to protect our communities against the flow of illegal drugs. The Border Patrol is dedicated to keeping illegal drugs out of our communities. From Oct. 1, 2009 to Aug 31, 2010, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol seized more than 940,000 pounds of marijuana exceeding $752 million in value.

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.

Quarter Million Dollars of Marijuana Seized, 3 Arrested in Arizona Desert

Wellton, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents arrested three drug smugglers and seized more than a quarter million dollars worth of marijuana in the Arizona desert east of Yuma on Friday.

At about 5 p.m., a CBP Office of Air and Marine helicopter pilot alerted Border Patrol agents assigned to Camp Grip that he had spotted a group of illegal aliens about five miles north of the border west of the Lukeville, Ariz., port of entry.

The pilot guided agents on the ground to the group’s location and Border Patrol agents arrested three suspected smugglers and seized a total of seven makeshift backpacks filled with bundles of marijuana.

The marijuana had a total weight of 320 pounds with an estimated street value of $256,000. Agents transported the suspected smugglers and contraband to the Wellton Border Patrol Station for processing.

Camp Grip is the Yuma sector’s tactically deployed forward operating base designed to maintain control of the seam between the Tucson and Yuma sectors. Smugglers of humans, drugs and other contraband operating in this area will be detected, tracked and arrested.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Yuma Sector Border Patrol’s toll free telephone number at (1-866) 999-8727.

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.

CBP Aircraft Spots More Than $200,000 in Marijuana

Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. — Over the past two days Air Interdiction Agents assigned to

	click for hi-res A Great Lakes Office of Air and Marine agent stands next to a marijuana plant in Genesee County, Mich., that stood more than 8 feet tall.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Great Lakes Office of Air and Marine have assisted three local police departments in the discovery of three different marijuana field locations.

The first location was spotted by agents while over a corn field in St. Clair County. In all, 62 plants were harvested jointly by OAM agents and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.

The second location was spotted over Genesee County. The grow field in Genesee County, which was spread across many acres of land, took agents and the Genesee County Sheriff two days to harvest and resulted in the confiscation of 107 plants.

The third location, which was found Wednesday night in Erie County, Ohio, was discovered while the Great Lakes Office of Air and Marine was responding to a call from the Sandusky Bay Border Patrol station to assist in the search for 4 illegal immigrants that

click for hi-res A Great Lakes Office of Air and Marine agent gets his location on GPS while searching for remaining marijuana plants in a corn field in Genesee County, Mich.

had absconded from a vehicle after a vehicle stop on the Ohio Turnpike. While searching for the fleeing suspects, a grow field containing 26 plants was located in the same field where OAM pilots located one of the four suspects that fled on foot.

In all three events, OAM agents and sheriff’s deputies on the ground had to be directed from pilots overhead in both an AW-139 helicopter and a Cessna 206 aircraft to direct them to the grow locations due to the extremely dense vegetation of the corn fields.

In total, air interdiction agents found and assisted in harvesting 195 marijuana plants over a two-day period that had a street value of over $200,000.

All of the marijuana plants that were confiscated have been turned over to the respective sheriff’s departments and will most likely be destroyed. 

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.

CBP and Border Patrol Outbound Operation at Pharr International Bridge Yields Results

11 Assault Rifles, 113 Ammunition Magazines Seized, One Arrested


Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents working southbound enforcement operations at the Pharr International Bridge seized 11 assault rifles and 113 ammunition magazines yesterday evening.

On September 7, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Pharr International Bridge came in contact with a 1992 Ford F-150 pickup truck that was traveling south headed into Mexico. At contact, the male driver was identified as a 19-year-old Mexican citizen from Pharr, Texas. A CBP officer referred the driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized 11 assault rifles and 113 ammunition magazines that were found hidden within the vehicle. The pickup truck was seized by CBP.

The southbound traveler was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation. 

“The seizure of the rifles and ammunition illustrates that local federal agencies are working day and night to put a halt to the smuggling of these dangerous items without a license,” said Jerry Robinette, special agent-in-charge for ICE-HSI San Antonio. “One of ICE's top enforcement priorities is preventing weapons and ammunition from falling into the hands of those who might seek to harm both sides of the U.S. and Mexican border communities.” 

Leticia Moran, CBP director, Laredo field operations said, “I commend our frontline officers for their roles and efforts in intercepting and seizing this significant number of assault rifles and accessories that were headed into Mexico.” Moran further said, “CBP continues to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prevent the illegal exportation of weapons, ammunition and bulk cash currency. This is an example of how our partnership works together to secure our nations borders and the communities in which we live and work.” 

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.

BP Officers at Calexico Downtown Port Stopped Four Narcotic Smuggling Attempts Worth Over $1.4 Million

Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico downtown port seized 164 pounds of cocaine and 164 pounds of marijuana in four separate incidents over the weekend. The street value of the four narcotic seizures is estimated at $1,476,000.

	click for hi-res On September 11, 2010, at the Calexico downtown port of entry, a red 1991 Chevrolet pick-up truck driven by an 18-year-old male United States citizen was found to contain 23 wrapped packages of marijuana concealed inside the bed.

The first seizure occurred on Friday, September 10, at about 8:00 p.m. when officers with the port’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) escorted a 58-year-old male Mexican citizen to the secondary examination area after a narcotic detector dog alerted to the rear area of the vehicle he was driving.

 

An intensive inspection on the 1999 Lincoln Navigator led officers to the discovery of 45 packages of cocaine concealed inside the vehicle’s gas tank. The weight of the narcotic was 108 pounds with an estimated street value of $864,000.

The second seizure occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, when A-TCET officers conducting an enforcement operation escorted an 18-year-old male United States citizen to the secondary examination area after a narcotic detector dog alerted to the rear area of the pick-up truck he was driving.

During the secondary inspection, 23 packages of marijuana were discovered inside a non-factory compartment in the bed of the 1991 Chevrolet pick-up. The weight of the narcotic was 102 pounds with an approximate street value of $102,000.

The third seizure occurred about an hour later when an officer conducting a secondary inspection discovered 28 packages of marijuana concealed inside the gas tank of a 1999 Dodge Ram pick-up truck. The weight of the narcotic was 62 pounds with an estimated street value of $62,000.

The fourth seizure occurred at about 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 12, when A-TCET officers escorted two 21-year-old females to the secondary inspection area after a narcotic detector dog alerted to their 2004 Honda Element.

During the intensive examination, officers found 20 packages of cocaine concealed in the vehicle’s rear quarter panels and rear doors. The weight of the narcotic was 56 pounds with an estimated street value of $448,000.

On all four incidents, CBP officers arrested the subjects and seized the drugs and vehicles. All subjects were then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who transported them to the Imperial County Jail to await their arraignment. CBP placed immigration holds on the Mexican citizens to initiate removal from the United States at the conclusion of their criminal proceedings.

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.

CBP Officers Stop SENTRI Member, Mother with Toddler Each With About 40 Pounds of Cocaine

San Diego — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro port of entry Thursday seized 85 pounds of cocaine during two different apprehensions, one involving a SENTRI member, the other a mother with her three-year-old son also in the car.

CBP officers find an access panel in an SUV

At about 10:20 a.m., a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen, and resident of Tijuana, driving a silver 2002 Chevy Tracker presented his valid SENTRI card to the CBP officer. The CBP officer referred the car and driver for further inspection.

SENTRI, or the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, is a trusted traveler program along the southwest border that provides expedited CBP processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Applicants must voluntarily undergo a thorough biographical background check against criminal, law enforcement, customs, immigration, and terrorist indices; a 10-fingerprint law enforcement check; and a personal interview with a CBP officer.

A narcotic detector dog alerted to the rear cargo floor of the vehicle, and CBP officers discovered 16 packages hidden in the vehicle with more than 40 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $405,000.

At about 3:50 p.m. officers roving through the lanes of traffic stopped after a narcotic detector dog alerted to the rear of a green 2002 Ford Explorer. CBP officers removed the driver, a 30-year-old female U.S. citizen, and resident of Temple, Calif., from the car, as well as her three-year-old son.

	click for hi-res CBP officers seized 15 packages of cocaine weighing about 40 pounds from the vehicle of a SENTRI member

After further inspection, CBP officers removed 15 packages of cocaine from the vehicle’s gas tank, worth an estimated $440,000.

In both incidents, CBP officers seized the vehicles and narcotics and turned custody of the accused smugglers over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Both drivers are currently being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The woman’s son was turned over to Child Protective Services.

“There is no profile of a smuggler,” said Pete Flores, acting director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. “Mothers, sons, grandparents, and even those we have vetted as trusted travelers can shock our officers when they are caught with narcotics in their vehicles. Our officers must be ever vigilant to prevent this and other illegal activity at the border.”

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.

2 Haitian boat captains sentenced to prison in connection with deadly smuggling operation in South Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Jimmy Metellus, 34, and Jean Morange Nelson, aka Jean Monique Nelson, 33, both Haitian citizens, were sentenced Thursday and Friday in connection with the May 13, 2009, failed migrant smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of nine Haitian nationals and an unborn fetus following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Metellus was sentenced Friday to 174 months in prison, five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a special assessment in the amount of $2,200. Nelson was sentenced Thursday to 156 months in prison, five years of supervised release and a special assessment in the amount of $2,200.00.

Both Nelson and Metellus pleaded guilty to 13 counts of alien smuggling placing in jeopardy the lives of aliens and nine counts of alien smuggling resulting in death.

Metellus and Nelson were two of the captains of the migrant smuggling vessel that sank off the Palm Beach County, Fla., coast during the morning of May 13, 2009. Nelson, Metellus and two other captains left the Bahamas on May 9, 2009, on a boat with migrants bound for the United States. The boat had mechanical problems and was adrift for three days. Associates of the smugglers arranged for fuel to be delivered to the boat, and guided it to a house in Bimini, Bahamas. In Bimini, the migrants were allegedly taken off the vessel while the boat was repaired. The next night, the migrants were reloaded on the boat, and the boat departed for the United States. A good samaritan reported to the U.S. Coast Guard seeing people in the water approximately 16 miles east of Palm Beach County in the early morning hours of May 13, 2009.

After a massive search and rescue operation conducted by the Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Interdiction Agents, CBP U.S. Border Patrol, the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office, Palm Beach Fire and Rescue, and the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office, 16 survivors, including Metellus and Nelson, and 10 deceased were identified as having been on the boat. The 10 deceased migrants included one adult male, seven adult females, one infant, and one unborn viable fetus. None of the survivors had visas or other travel documentation for admission into the United States, nor were any such documents found in the nearby waters.

In addition, on June 11, 2009, Harold Anglin, one of the survivors and passengers on the alien smuggling vessel, was charged in an indictment with illegally re-entering the United States after having been deported, with an enhancement for being an alien convicted of a felony. On Dec. 4, 2009, Anglin, an aggravated felon, pleaded guilty to re-entry of a removed alien.  He was later sentenced to 30 months in prison, 24 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100.

The investigation was conducted by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations in West Palm Beach with the assistance of Container Security Initiative (CSI) Homeland Security Investigations in Freeport, Bahamas, CBP Field Operations and CBP Air and Marine, the U.S. Coast Guard's 7th Coast Guard District, the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Bell and Adrienne Rabinowitz.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21^st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Podcast: Southwest Boarder Security

WFED SKIMMER 09-14-2010 0742(2) by motioncenter
The Department of Homeland Security has doubled the number of people assigned to security along the Southwest border. Now, they're getting more high-tech air support, too. New Predator-B Unmanned Aerial Systems have only been operating for a few days. Joining us to tell us about their impact is General Michael Kostelnik, the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Air and Marine for Customs and Border Protection.


Special thanks to Customs and Boarder Protection: Source

A Special Thanks and Disclosure

 

 

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CBP Officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge Seize $3 Million in Mexican Brown Heroin – One Man Arrested

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized 38.1 pounds of Mexican brown heroin. The estimated street value of the heroin is $ 3 million.

On September 8, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2008 Dodge Caliber sedan and its driver, a 24-year-old Mexican citizen from San Juan, Texas. After the initial primary examination, a CBP officer referred the male driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized 56 packages containing brown heroin that were found hidden within the vehicle. The Dodge sedan was also seized by CBP.

The driver was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation. 

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, Hidalgo-Pharr said, “Our frontline officers continue doing great enforcement work and this drug seizure illustrates CBP’s commitment to secure our nation’s borders and to prevent contraband from entering our country.” Mancha further said, “I commend our officers for a job well done.” 

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.

Calexico Port Officers seize close to a half million dollars worth of Narcotics

Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry seized close to a half million dollars worth of narcotics in two separate incidents yesterday, Thursday, September 9.

The first seizure occurred at about 8:00 a.m. when CBP officers arrested a 45-year-old female Mexican citizen after 45 pounds of cocaine was discovered hidden in the vehicle she was driving.

CBP officers with the port’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) were conducting an enforcement operation when a detector dog alerted to the rear area of the black 2001 Chevy Tracker as it waited in line for inspection. Officers escorted both the driver and vehicle to the secondary inspection area for further investigation. 

An intensive inspection led officers to the discovery of 16 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed inside the rear doors and spare tire of the vehicle. The estimated street value of the narcotic is $360,000.

CBP officers turned the driver, a lawful permanent resident of El Centro, Calif., over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for further processing.

The second seizure occurred at about 9:00 p.m. when a CBP officer and his canine were conducting an enforcement operation in the secondary inspection area and the canine alerted to the dash board of a tan 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. 

Officers conducted an intensive inspection which led them to the discovery of five wrapped packages of methamphetamines concealed inside a specially built compartment in the dashboard area. The weight of the narcotic was 13 pounds with a street value of $136,500.

The driver, a 43-year-old male United States citizen and resident of Mexicali, was arrested and turned over to the custody of ICE agents.

In both incidents, the drivers were transported to the Imperial Country jail where they are currently awaiting arraignment.

CBP placed an immigration hold on the female Mexican citizen to initiate removal from the United States at the conclusion of her criminal proceedings.

CBP officers seized the vehicles and narcotics. 

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.

U.S. Border Patrol Again Foils Canned Drug Smuggling Attempt Checkpoint Agents Nab $192K Meth Stash From Sealed Vegetable Cans

Pine Valley, Calif. — Over the weekend, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 42-year-old man for attempting to smuggle more than 10.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine through a checkpoint inspection on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley.

On Saturday at 1 a.m., agents encountered the man, a U.S. citizen and resident of Los Angeles, as he arrived to the checkpoint driving a Ford Mustang. During the inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous actions, prompting them to direct the vehicle to a secondary inspection.

A Border Patrol K-9 team conducted a cursory inspection of the vehicle, resulting in a positive alert to the rear of the vehicle. Agents physically searched the trunk of the vehicle and discovered grocery bags containing several cans of vegetables. An inspection of the cans revealed anomalies in five of them, which led agents to open those cans and discover bottles containing crystal methamphetamine sealed inside.

The suspected smuggler and the methamphetamine, which had a total weight of 10.67 pounds, and an estimated street value of $192,060, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Last month, Border Patrol agents at the San Clemente checkpoint thwarted a marijuana smuggling attempt in which sealed vegetable cans were also used.

Through coordinated enforcement operations, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a strong defense-in-depth enforcement posture along major routes of egress from the border to our nation’s interior.

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.

CBP Officers Stop Albuquerque Teen with Heroin Load; Deming Man also Busted with Heroin and Methamphetamine

El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized 5.3 pounds of heroin Saturday. The drugs were concealed on the body of an 18-year-old New Mexico woman who arrived at the port from Mexico. CBP officers at the Columbus port also stopped a Deming man who was smuggling 9.2 pounds of heroin and 24.6 pounds of methamphetamine on Friday.

The 5.3 pound heroin seizure was made shortly after 8:00 a.m. Saturday when a woman entered the U.S. as a pedestrian at the downtown Paso Del Norte crossing. CBP officers were processing arriving border crossers when they received a negative declaration from the female. CBP officers selected the woman for a more intensive examination after noting discrepancies in her appearance. The examination resulted in the discovery of four packages strapped to her abdomen. The packages were removed and their contents tested positive for heroin.

CBP officers arrested the female. She is identified as 18-year-old Yesenia Varela, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents to face federal charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempt. She is currently being held without bond at the El Paso County Detention Facility.

The 9.2 pound heroin and 24.6 pound methamphetamine seizure was made shortly before 5:00 p.m. Friday evening when a car entered the Columbus port from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for an intensive examination. CBP drug sniffing dog “Misu” alerted to a 2008 Dodge Caliber. CBP officers x-rayed the vehicle and spotted an anomaly in the center console. CBP officers removed a total of 11 heroin-filled and 48 methamphetamine-filled bundles from the car.

CBP officers arrested the driver. He is identified as 24-year-old Ruben Zavala of Deming, New Mexico. He was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents to face federal charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.

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 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.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over $419,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entr

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over $419,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry
Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered cocaine valued at approximately $419,200 hidden within luggage.

On Friday, August 10 at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, a CBP officer’s primary inspection of a white 2007 Dodge Durango resulted in the vehicle and its driver being referred for a secondary examination. The vehicle’s driver was identified as a 34-year-old female, Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. At secondary, CBP officers discovered hidden packages within luggage contained in the vehicle. CBP officers removed a total of two packages from the bag with a combined total weight of 5.95 kilograms (13.1 pounds) of cocaine.

	click for hi-res Packages of cocaine were found hidden in luggage belonging to a passenger in a vehicle

The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $419,200. CBP officers seized the narcotics and vehicle and turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents for further investigation.

“This interception by CBP officers illustrates the vigilance on the frontline by our dedicated and committed frontline protectors. I commend our officers for their commitment to the protection of our country,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville port of entry.

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.

CBP Seizes $254,000 in Drugs Hidden in Unusual compartments

$16,297 In Currency Seized on a Southbound Inspection

San Diego – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers this weekend seized $254,000 worth of drugs in various compartments, ranging from bicycle frames to the rollers of a street paving machine.

On September 10 at 1:30 p.m. officers at the Tecate port of entry seized 127 pounds of marijuana from the inside of the rollers of a street paving machine. The officer at the booth referred the truck carrying the street paving machine for further inspection, where a narcotic detector dog was alerted while screening the truck and paving machine. Officers x-rayed the truck and paving machine and found anomalies inside the rollers. During a closer inspection, the covers of the rollers were removed and officers seized 63 packages of marijuana with an approximate street value of $63,580. The driver of the truck, a 21-year-old male Mexican citizen and resident of Tijuana, Mex., was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

That same day at 5:30 p.m. officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry encountered a 22-year-old male U.S. citizen and resident of Watsonville, Calif. who had entered the U.S. through the pedestrian entry with his bicycle. A narcotic detector dog alerted to the scent of narcotics in his bicycle. He was escorted to secondary inspection, where officers discovered two trap doors in the frame of the bicycle. Officers removed nine packages of marijuana from the frame of the bicycle with an approximate street value of $660. The subject was arrested and turned over to ICE agents.

On September 11 at 3 p.m., the officer in the pedestrian booth at the San Ysidro port of entry noticed how a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen and resident of Tijuana was walking. The officer stopped the man and escorted him to secondary inspection for a closer look. After a pat down, the officer discovered four packages of heroin taped to his legs. The heroin weight was almost five pounds with an approximate street value of $66,220. The young man was arrested and turned over to ICE agents.

Hours later at 11:50 p.m., another officer encountered a 33-year-old male U.S. citizen and resident of Chino Hills, Calif. The officer referred the man to secondary inspection and during a pat down officers discovered two packages of methamphetamine taped to his legs. The methamphetamine weighed almost seven pounds and has an approximate street value of $123,480. The man was arrested and turned over to ICE agents.

While CBP officers inspect the people and vehicles entering the U.S., another set of CBP officers is conducting inspections on people and vehicles departing the country. They are looking for money and weapons that fuel the drug trafficking organizations’ wars in Mexico.

At 11 a.m. on September 11, CBP officers conducting southbound inspections encountered a 20-year-old male U.S. citizen and resident of San Diego. The young man was referred for secondary inspection. CBP officers discovered that he had $16,297 that he did not declare. Customs and Border Protection seized the money.

It is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling more than $10,000 to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.

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.

Border Patrol Agents in Texas Net Nearly $1.5 Million in Marijuana

Border Patrol Agents in Texas Net Nearly $1.5 Million in Marijuana

Edinburg, Texas — Nearly $1.5 million worth of marijuana was seized by U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector in two separate incidents Saturday.

click for hi-res Border Patrol agents in south Texas seized two large shipments of marijuana worth $1.5 million.

The largest seizure occurred when agents from the McAllen Station encountered suspicious activity near McAllen, and seized more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana and two vehicles. Two people were arrested in connection with the narcotics trafficking.

In the second incident agents from the Rio Grande City Station seized more than 700 pounds of marijuana on a trail near the Rio Grande.

The event took place at about 10 a.m. when agents conducting patrol operations near Escobares, encountered several men at the river’s edge loading a minivan with bundles. As the agents approached, the men jumped in the river and swam to Mexico abandoning close to $600,000 in marijuana.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at (800) 863-9382. 

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.

Man Wanted On a Felony Warrant Busted At Bus Station

Edinburg, Texas ─ A man wanted on an aggravated felony warrant was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the McAllen Station as he was attempting to travel by bus to Chicago on Saturday.

Agents encountered the man while conducting transportation checks at the bus station in McAllen. When the agents spoke to him, he appeared to be nervous and said he did not have any identification. After performing a records check on the man, the agents discovered he was wanted by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office on an aggravated assault felony warrant. The man also had an outstanding warrant for driving while intoxicated.The agents turned the man over to a deputy from the sheriff’s office.(more info)

To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at 1(800) 863-9382.

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.

CBP Intercepts Endangered Sea Turtle Eggs in Atlanta

CBP Intercepts Endangered Sea Turtle Eggs in Atlanta
Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:42:01 -0500
Atlanta - U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport intercepted a collection of endangered sea turtle eggs, officials announced today. Thirty-five freshly harvested sea turtle eggs were found within the luggage of a passenger arriving from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (more)