CBP confiscates drugs, tamales

Posted: Dec 29, 2009 03:50 PM CST

Updated: Dec 29, 2009 03:50 PM CST




El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at El Paso area ports of entry made several seizures Christmas week, including 1,682 pounds of marijuana and several agricultural and food products, including tamales.

The largest seizure of the holiday week was made on Christmas Eve at the Bridge of the Americas cargo facility concealed in wood furniture. The marijuana weighed more than 600 pounds. The seizure was one of 19 drug busts CBP officers made during the Christmas period.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested 54-year-old Armando Valentin Lizardo-Munoz of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in connection with the alleged smuggling attempt.

"Although most people were celebrating the holidays with family and friends, some people still tried to smuggle into the United States. Our officers have been busy helping those who are legitimately traveling to the US and stopping those that aren't." Ana Hinojosa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations in El Paso said in a news release.

In addition to the drug busts, CBP officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas and New Mexico made a total of nine seizures of agricultural items. Violators paid $1,900 in penalties in association with the violations. Prohibited food products seized included apples, oranges, sugarcane, guavas, pork sausage, pork meat, and pork tamales.

CBP officers recorded 73 immigration violations at area ports this week including 18 imposters. CBP officers remain vigilant. Their thorough and diligent document exam process combined with their interview techniques helped in catching two alien smugglers. Imposters generally will use a legitimate entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. Violators generally lose their documents, can be prosecuted and go to jail and/or are returned to Mexico.

CBP officers seized documents from 55 intended immigrants. In these cases, individuals will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. They also lose their documents and are generally returned to Mexico.

CBP officers working at area ports made a total of 24 fugitive apprehensions during the period.

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