C.B.P. News Release

Laredo Border Patrol Marijuana Seizures Top 5,000 Pounds, Largest Load Totals $2.1M

(Monday, July 06, 2009)

Laredo, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents stopped four marijuana smuggling attempts over the long Independence Day weekend, including three cases that occurred at the immigration checkpoint located on Interstate 35 north of Laredo.

The largest seizure occurred on Saturday, July 4, when agents at the checkpoint conducted an immigration inspection of the driver of a tractor-trailer. During the inspection, a U.S. Border Patrol canine team detected the possible presence of hidden contraband or people in the trailer. Agents searched the trailer and found 122 large cellophane-wrapped bundles inside 40 duffel bags that were stacked alongside pallets of sugar. The bundles contained marijuana with a total weight of 2,630.3 pounds with an estimated street value of $2.1 million.

On Friday, July 3, agents at the checkpoint made the second largest seizure of the weekend when they searched the trailer of an 18-wheeler and found 40 large cellophane-wrapped bundles among a palletized load of canned food. The bundles contained marijuana with a total weight of 1,408.3 pounds with an estimated street value of $1.1 million. A third seizure occurred when agents discovered 14 cellophane-wrapped bundles in a tractor-trailer carrying a load of glass laboratory containers. The bundles contained marijuana with a total weight of 759.3 pounds with an estimated street value of $607,600.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo West station made a significant drug seizure when they responded to reports of suspicious activity on Friday. During their investigation, agents found six duffel bags that contained 95 small cellophane-wrapped bundles. The bundles contained marijuana with a total weight of 203.4 pounds and an estimated street value of $162,720.

The marijuana, subjects and vehicles from all of the cases were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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 or
(956) 764-3243

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_2.xml