C.B.P. News Release

Technology, Canines Help Border Patrol Discover More than $2.8 Million in Cocaine

(Friday, August 07, 2009)

Tucson, Ariz. – In two separate incidents this week, U.S. Border Patrol agents, aided by canine teams and technology, seized
62 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $2,814,800.

On Monday, agents from the Nogales Border Patrol Station working the Interstate 19 checkpoint referred a vehicle to secondary inspection after a Border Patrol canine team detected the possible presence of narcotics. Agents discovered 15 pounds of cocaine hidden in the vehicle.

In a separate incident Thursday afternoon, a Border Patrol canine team at the Interstate 19 Checkpoint detected the possible presence of narcotics coming from a pick-up truck. The vehicle was inspected using non-intrusive technology which led agents to discover approximately 47 pounds of cocaine in a hidden compartment.

“The effectiveness of our canines and the upgraded technology, have led to these significant seizures at our checkpoint,â€