11.13.08
ICE agents arrest mother and daughter for drug smuggling attempt

Posted: Nov 13, 2008 02:37 PM

EL PASO, Texas -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a mother and daughter Wednesday for attempting to smuggle over 200 pounds of marijuana into the U.S., Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said.

About 5:20 p.m., a 1999 Chevrolet Astro Van entered the Bridge of the Americas. A CBP officer requested a canine search of the vehicle when the driver and passenger seemed nervous during a routine interview. The drug sniffing dog dog alerted the officers to 53 marijuana-filled bundles hidden in a floor compartment. The drugs weighed 223.1 lbs., officials said.

ICE agents arrested the driver of the van, 34-year-old Martha Patricia Mora de Hernandez of Juarez, and her daughter, 18-year-old Brianda Martinez of Juarez, the passenger in the van, CBP officials said.

Both are currently at the El Paso County Jail.

CBP officials said El Paso officers also made the following additional seizures Wednesday:

At 4:25 a.m., CBP officers at the Ysleta crossing seized 64.5 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the fender of a 1982 Ford Zephyr. A 27-year-old Dallas man was arrested.

At 6:09 a.m., CBP officers at the Bridge of the Americas crossing seized 104.5 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the bumper, dashboard and undercarriage of a 1995 Mercury Tracer. A 34-year-old El Paso woman was arrested.

At 6:25 a.m., CBP officers at the Bridge of the Americas crossing seized 188.1 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the back seat, bumper, dashboard and doors of a 2000 Mercury Sable. A 19-year-old El Paso man was arrested.

At 8:58 a.m., CBP officers at the Bridge of the Americas crossing seized 98.2 pounds of marijuana. The drugs were concealed in the rear seat and spare tire of a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck. A 58-year-old Albuquerque man was arrested.
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