C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Agents Seize $8.6 Million in Drugs, Thwart Human Smuggler

(Monday, April 06, 2009)

Laredo, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents seized two loads of drugs and stopped a human smuggling attempt in three cases that occurred throughout the sector over the weekend.

Agents assigned to the Laredo North station are credited with making the larger of the drug seizures. The case unfolded Saturday when agents working at the Interstate 35 checkpoint performed an immigration inspection of the driver of a tractor-trailer. A Border Patrol canine alerted toward the trailer. Agents searched the trailer and found several cellophane-wrapped bundles in two cardboard boxes. The bundles contained cocaine with a total weight of 269.6 pounds and an estimated street value of $8.6 million.

Agents in Laredo find 269.6 pounds of cocaine in a tractor trailer.

The cocaine, truck and driver were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Agents assigned to the Freer station made the second drug seizure Sunday afternoon when they performed immigration inspections of the passengers of a commercial bus at the checkpoint located on U.S. Highway 59 west of Freer. During the inspection, a Border Patrol canine alerted toward a suitcase in the luggage compartment. Agents searched the suitcase and found four bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 58.9 pounds and an estimated value of $47,120. The bag was not tagged and none of the passengers claimed ownership.

Thirteen undocumented aliens are found in the back of a tractor trailer crossing the border in Laredo.

The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Agents working at the I-35 checkpoint also thwarted a human smuggling attempt Friday night. As the agents performed an immigration inspection of the driver of a tractor-trailer, a Border Patrol canine alerted toward the trailer. Agents searched the trailer and found 13 undocumented aliens inside. All of the subjects were processed for prosecution.

To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.

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.

Contacts For This News Release
Laredo Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 764-3041 Ext: 3243

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_5.xml