the ABC show "Homeland Security, USA" had a segment on the show on Tuesday evening on this very thing


http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_11901551? ... ost_viewed


4 teens caught smuggling pot at Zaragoza port
By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Posted: 03/13/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT

EL PASO -- Four 15-year-old pedestrians were caught with marijuana strapped to their bodies in separate smuggling attempts this week at the Zaragoza Bridge.

The arrests took place as authorities caution that drug cartels may be trying to recruit teens at schools in El Paso and Juárez to move illegal drugs into the U.S.

"It's a serious matter for kids to be involved in drug trafficking," said County Attorney JosĂ© RodrĂ*guez, whose office prosecutes crimes committed by juveniles. "It cannot only endanger themselves but their family as well."

On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers caught two boys with 7 and 8 pounds of marijuana each strapped to their backs.

Wednesday night, officers busted two other teens with a total of 10 pounds of marijuana strapped to their bodies.

Two of the teens are Juárez residents while the other two are U.S. citizens, CBP officials said. It was not revealed where they attend school.

The teens were turned over to the El Paso Police Department.

Teen smuggling has fluctuated over the years and the arrests this week raised alarms, said Marc Marquez, interim chief juvenile probation officer at the Juvenile Justice Center.

"That is something we will monitor very closely," Marquez said.

The county attorney's office and schools have been working to warn students about the consequences of drug smuggling.

On Wednesday, the Ysleta Independent School District approved using drug-sniffing dogs on its campuses to find drugs.


Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.