Agents find drugs, immigration violations

lcsun-news.com
Sun-News report
Posted: 12/21/2011 10:10:40 PM MST

LAS CRUCES - In the last week, more than 125 violations, including drugs, illegal immigrants, fugitives and prohibited agricultural items have been identified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at ports of entry in El Paso and New Mexico, the office announced Wednesday.

A total of 20 drug busts resulted in the seizure of 1,405 pounds of marijuana, five pounds of methamphetamine and 1.3 pounds of cocaine.

Officers identified 13 wanted fugitives during the week. They also uncovered 80 immigration violations, 36 of which were intended immigrants, who use a legally issued border-crossing card to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. Violators generally lose their documents and are returned to Mexico. Officers also stopped 12 impostors, some of whom were booked into the El Paso County jail if they had criminal histories. Impostors are removed from the United States for a minimum of five years and face federal felony charges if they attempt to illegally reenter the country again. Other immigration violators made false claims to U.S. citizenship, tried to enter with counterfeit or altered documents, had visa overstay violations or entered the country without inspection.

Officers also made 13 seizures of prohibited food and agricultural items this week - chorizo, pork wieners, apples, oranges, guavas, hawthorns, tangerines, limes, sweet potatoes and live plants - resulting in $2,500 in fines being assessed.

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