Thread: NM--Jamaican duo in custody after Alamo drug bust

Jamaican duo in custody after Alamo drug bust

By Laura London / For the Sun-News
Article Launched: 04/16/2008 06:12:59 AM MDT

ALAMOGORDO —Border Patrol agents at the checkpoint near Alamogordo seized nearly 700 pounds of marijuana and arrested two Jamaicans Monday.

A Customs and Border Protection news release issued Tuesday reports agents at the U.S. Highway 70 checkpoint began asking a routine series of questions of two people in the cab of a 2004 tractor trailer. Both initially claimed to be U.S. citizens.

During the interview, the primary agent noticed the driver, a 36-year-old man, display unusual mannerisms and begin to give conflicting information. At that point, the semi was referred to the secondary area for more scrutiny.

Agents were given consent to conduct a search, according to the release. They found several black duffel bags on the bed in the sleeper. When questioned, the driver said they contained military equipment. Further inspection revealed the bags contained several plastic wrapped bundles containing a green, leafy substance.

A total of 31 bundles were removed, according to the release, totaling 694 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of $555,680. The driver and his 34-year-old male passenger were arrested and entered into the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System. It was then discovered both driver and passenger were Jamaican nationals with prior criminal records.

Review of their immigration status revealed both are legal permanent residents with no current warrants, according to the release. The suspects, contraband and trailer were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration in Las Cruces for disposition.

Doug Mosier, public affairs spokesman for the Border Patrol El Paso Sector, said the names of the Jamaicans are not being released since they were turned over to the DEA, which has a policy of not releasing names of suspects until they are formally indicted.

"We don't want to jeopardize the integrity of the case before it goes to trial," Mosier said.

The press release reports that as of the end of March, El Paso Sector agents have made 541 seizures of illegal contraband, with an estimated value of more than $48.6 million.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_8943399

The press release reports that as of the end of March, El Paso Sector agents have made 541 seizures of illegal contraband, with an estimated value of more than $48.6 million.

Border agents are doing great--nearly $50 million in drugs seized in 3 months!

It was then discovered both driver and passenger were Jamaican nationals with prior criminal records.

Review of their immigration status revealed both are legal permanent residents with no current warrants, according to the release.

How did these two men get 'legal U.S. status' since both were from Jamaica WITH PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORDS? Why wasn't that included on their background checks before issuing their cards or if the crimes were commited in the U.S., why weren't they deported then and their cards revoked?

"The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence." Article IV Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.

Good Catch!