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Smugglers look for new ways to bring drugs across the border
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March 12, 2009 - 10:24 AM
FROM STAFF REPORTS

Drug smugglers are always looking for new nooks and crannies where they can hide the narcotics while driving through ports of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection says.

In a recent case at San Luis, CBP officers found 19 packages of cocaine in the frame rails of a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The street value was estimated at more than $87,000.

The vehicle's driver, identified as a 37-year-old Mexican man, was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for prosecution.

The cocaine seizure March 6 was one of several in recent days at the San Luis port.

Earlier that day, a 25-year-old U.S. man was arrested after CBP officers found 35 packages of marijuana hidden in various locations in the vehicle. The pot was valued at $152,064, CBP said, and the unidentified man was arrested and turned over to ICE.

Also that day, a U.S. man was arrested after 38 packages of marijuana, valued at nearly $143,000, were found in the 1998 Saturn he drove up to the port. The man was arrested and turned over to ICE, CBP said.

Two marijuana seizures were made at the port Saturday, CBP said.

Twenty packages were found hidden in the front fenders of a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by a U.S. man. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $80,080.

Later that day, a U.S. man, 21, was arrested after he tried to walk through the pedestrian lane with three packages of marijuana taped to his body. He was turned over to San Luis, Ariz., police.

"The officers' skills are very diverse, as you can see," said San Luis port director William K. Brooks. "They are constantly challenged each year with new vehicles coming out on the market, which means they have to learn the ins and outs of each vehicle to combat the drug smugglers."