Number of cocaine busts at the El Paso border doubles

by Daniel Borunda \ El Paso Times
Posted: 05/31/2011 12:21:05 AM MDT

Cocaine busts have doubled and marijuana seizures have also increased at the El Paso border so far this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.

The increase in cocaine seized by CBP officers at border crossings is occurring while El Paso police and the Drug Enforcement Administration in El Paso report a drop in cocaine seizures.

It is not uncommon for drug seizures to spike or dive as drug-trafficking organizations take hits from law enforcement or try other smuggling routes and methods, said Chief CBP Officer Ruben Jauregui, a spokesman for the agency.

"We have found narcotics in every single area of the engine with the exception of the ignition hole," Jauregui said. "We have found narcotics everywhere from the battery to headlights, the bumpers to gas tanks. It's a big credit to our officers out there doing this enforcement."

CBP officers inspected more than 12 million vehicles entering El Paso from Mexico last year.

CBP officers in El Paso this year have seized 491 pounds of cocaine in 30 cases through May 23 compared with 221 pounds in 13 seizures in the same period last year.

Marijuana seizures are also up. CBP officers have seized 32,526 pounds of marijuana this year compared with 25,907 pounds at the same time a year ago, officials said.

As of May 27, the DEA in El Paso this year had seized 134 pounds of cocaine compared with 568 pounds in the same period last year, a DEA spokeswoman said.

El Paso police reported they have seized

3.7 pounds of cocaine through April this year compared with 24 pounds at the same time last year.
Police spokesman Darrel Petry said totals can change quickly if investigators make a large bust.

It is believed that there are hundreds of stash houses in El Paso where drugs are kept after they are snuck across the border before they are transported to markets in other parts of the United States. Anti-narcotics agents have said that smugglers have been transporting smaller drug loads that allow for easier concealment and lessen the risks of large losses.

To report suspicious activity to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, call 1-800-BE-ALERT or 1-800-232-5378. To report a stash house, call the West Texas Stash House Unit at 629-8600 or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-8477.

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

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_18172762