http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=4991879
Lupita Murillo Reports

Almost a ton of marijuana found hidden in produce truck
June 6, 2006 08:35 AM

Customs and Border Protection agents say they've have had their hands full.

In just 4 days, agents have seized more than 2,200 lbs. of illegal drugs at the Arizona/Mexico border.

Here's a breakdown.

On Thursday, agents made one bust at the San Luis Port of Entry near Yuma.

Then Friday, at the Nogales Port of Entry, 2 huge busts.

Marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, all confiscated.

More than 1,000 trucks come through the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales daily.

It's also the largest port of entry in the country for produce.

On Friday, a tractor-trailer filled with grapes came through the x-ray machine, but it had more than fruit.

An officer with the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team made the bust -- nearly a ton of marijuana.

It was at the prescreening area where an experienced officer talked to the driver, looked at the paperwork and decided something just wasn't right, so he referred the driver to x-ray.

Customs, Border Protection Chief says, "That day, because the grapes had been fumagated, it peaked his interest a little more. They may assume we're not going to look at the shipment. They were wrong."

So far this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have seized a record number of drugs.

Gill says, "This year alone, this fiscal year, we're up over 13,000 pounds here at the cargo facility."

Officers also discovered that the driver was a participant in the FAST program. Free And Secure Trade.

This program allows truckers and their companies to get their goods across the border quicker, but there are other criteria that must be met before the driver and his cargo can get through.

Scott Williams, who heads that program, says, "Just because you're a member of the FAST program doesn't mean you're going to get a free pass. That's not what we're about. We're about securing the supply chain."

Officers believe drug smugglers are working hard to get their illegal goods across the border before more National Guard troops arrive.