Published: 04.05.2007
Border agents foil 89 drug runs in March
RYN GARGULINSKI
Tucson Citizen
Drugs hidden in fire extinguishers, concrete pillars and a car muffler were some of the more unusual border smuggling attempts last month, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday.
CBP officers stopped 89 drug smuggling attempts at Arizona ports of entry in March, the release said, seizing 4,261 pounds of marijuana, 170 pounds of cocaine, 46 pounds of methamphetamine and smaller amounts of medication and steroids.
In addition, officers stopped 54 people trying to enter the U.S. using fake IDs. They also stopped 13 attempts at smuggling people across the border and 81 fugitives who were wanted on warrants ranging from sexual assault to burglary, issued from states stretching from Pennsylvania to California.
Other highlights included an interception of $148,000 in counterfeit traveler's checks at the Tucson International Airport and nearly $70,000 in undeclared currency coupled with 150 rounds of ammunition en route to Mexico at the DeConcini port of entry in Nogales.
The release also noted agriculture specialists collected $21,900 in penalties by stopping 94 smuggling attempts that ranged from loquats to several canaries.
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