CBP News Release

CBP Officers at Fort Hancock Port of Entry Seize Marijuana; 18-year-old Las Cruces Man Arrested in Failed Smuggling Attempt

(Monday, November 03, 2008)
contacts for this news release

El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Fort Hancock port of entry seized 62.7 pounds of marijuana late Sunday night. The seizure was one of nine drug busts made by CBP officers working at area ports during the weekend.

The Fort Hancock seizure was made just before the 10 p.m. port closing time when a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck entered the port from Mexico. CBP officers performing the primary inspection detected that the driver was nervous during a routine interview. CBP officers examined the vehicle closely and found a false compartment in the fuel tank. CBP officers removed a total of 56 marijuana-filled bundles from the hidden compartment. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $62,700.

“It is not uncommon for a smuggler to test the vigilance of a CBP officer by attempting to enter the country just before the port closing time,â€