C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers Defeat Fatigue and Smuggler at Douglas, Arizona Port of Entry

(Thursday, October 23, 2008)
contacts for this news release

Douglas, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers remain firm in their commitment as the guardians of our nation’s borders. This commitment by the CBP officers foiled three smuggling attempts in a 16-hour period which resulted in the seizure of over 320 pounds of marijuana with a street value estimated at over $129,000.

This past Thursday at about 6:15 a.m., the midnight shift was coming to a close. CBP officers, though fatigued from the long night of their shift, remained firm in their commitment to stay vigilant. A Customs and Border Protection officer screening the traveling public noticed a discrepancy in one of the vehicles. The vehicle and driver were escorted to a secondary inspection area. Over 84 pounds of marijuana was discovered in a secret compartment built into the bed of a pick-up truck.

At about 12:30 p.m. on that same day, another CBP officer was screening traveler’s when an anomaly on a truck was noticed. The officer selected the truck for a secondary inspection which resulted in the discovery of more than 186 pounds of marijuana concealed in two side-saddle gas tanks.

Later that afternoon, at about 3:30 p.m., many officers had been working double shifts and were approaching the 16 hour mark. During the interview process an officer became suspicious and referred a vehicle to secondary. Upon inspection, more than 51 pounds of marijuana were discovered in a secret compartment behind the back seat.

“The smugglers know that the CBP officers are called upon to work long hours, they hope that this will work to their advantage,â€