C.B.P. News Release

Seat Cushions Found to Conceal $430K in Marijuana at Douglas Port of Entry

(Wednesday, June 03, 2009)

Douglas, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a drug-smuggling attempt when they seized more than 170 pounds of marijuana.

On Monday, June 1, at about noon, CBP officers were screening travelers when they became suspicious of a 27-year-old man driving a 1972 Chevy pickup. The man was identified as a resident of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. The CBP officers searched the vehicle and discovered a secret compartment built into the driver seat of the pickup truck he was driving. A total of 170 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $430,000 was removed from the compartment.

CBP officers seized the vehicle and marijuana. The 27-year-old man was turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.

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
M. Carl Robinson
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (520) 364-8486

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 032009.xml