Holiday Doesn’t Slow Smugglers: Border Patrol Seizes $5 Million in Marijuana

Blythe, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector seized approximately 47 pounds of cocaine and arrested one suspected smuggler on Sunday.

	Roof compartment exposed

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe Station checkpoint on Highway 95 referred a red Chevrolet Blazer to secondary inspection following a canine team alert. While in secondary, the driver, a female Mexican national, consented to a search of the vehicle. Agents searched the vehicle and found cocaine concealed in the interior ceiling of the SUV.

The cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1,504,000, and the subject, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.

Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen will conduct a press briefing today at 2 p.m. EST in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973). Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only. Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification. Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn has no public or media events on his schedule.
U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward, commander of Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, will brief the media live from Afghanistan at 10:30 a.m. EST in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973). Harward will provide an update on detention operations. J