lcsun-news.com
Sun-News report
Posted: 01/06/2012 11:33:30 PM MST

LAS CRUCES - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas and New Mexico recorded 27 enforcement actions Thursday, including drug-smugglers, illegal immigrants and wanted fugitives.

Officers seized 177 pounds of marijuana in three seizures, including one at a pedestrian crossing in El Paso, where 19-year-old Alejandro Huerta of Anthony, N.M., allegedly tried to enter the country with eight bundles of marijuana weighing 2.2 pounds taped to his legs. Huerta is currently being detained at the El Paso County Jail with no bond, facing charges of importing and attempting to distribute drugs.

Agriculture specialists also seized eight illegal food items and assessed more than $2,000 in fines for those in possession of the prohibited pork skins, chicharrones, oranges, apples, guavas, pomelos, sugar cane, mangoes, sweet potatoes, avocados and seeds.

Officers also recorded 13 immigration violations Thursday, including eight intended immigrants, who attempted to use legally issued border-crossing cards to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. Violators generally lose their documents and are returned to Mexico.

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