Alleged drug smuggler, 14, arrested at NM border crossing

By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Timeselpasotimes.com
Posted: 04/25/2012 05:58:56 PM MDT

A 14-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday after agents found nearly 15 pounds of marijuana in his backpack at the Columbus border crossing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.

The boy from Palomas, Mexico, was entering the U.S. at 6:30 a.m. in the pedestrian lane when a CBP officer found the drugs, officials said.

The arrest was the sixth in a string of teen marijuana smugglers stopped in Columbus. CBP officials said 40 percent of the marijuana seizures at the Columbus border crossing involved 17-year-olds or younger.

"This number should be alarming to the parents of area teens because the consequences of this illegal activity can be severe and life altering," CBP Columbus Port Director Robert Reza said in a statement.

Alleged drug smuggler, 14, arrested at NM border crossing - El Paso Times