Border Patrol Agents Make 2 Major Pot Hauls
LAS CRUCES– Border Patrol agents from Truth or Consequencesand Las Cruces seized 12 pounds of cocaine and more than 200 pounds of marijuana in separate seizures this week.
On Wednesday, agents at the U.S. Border Patrol traffic checkpoint on I-25 near Las Cruces said they encountered a 42-year old man from Mexico who was driving a vehicle loaded with cocaine as he attempted to make his way to Northern New Mexico.
Agents said they observed the man driving a Chrysler Cirrus sedan in the primary inspection area. During the inspection, the subject gave conflicting information on the vehicle registration and other routine questions, agents said.The driver was referred to secondary inspection, where a non-intrusive search by a canine unit alerted on the presence of narcotics.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed five bundles of cocaine, weighing 12 pounds, agents said.The estimated value of the cocaine load is $384,000. Thesuspect was turned over to New Mexico DEA who took control of the narcotics, vehicle and subject involved.
In Truth or Consequences, Border Patrol agents patrolling Highway 152 arrested two U.S. citizens from Deming as they were making their way to Albuquerque. The two women, ages 33 and 19, were heading north in a Saturn Coupe when agents noticed the driver was driving erratically.
Agents said they noticed the occupants behaved in such a way thatit led to the speculation of possible criminal activity. After conducting vehicle checks on the car, agents discovered the license plates did not belong to that vehicle.
Agents received consent to conduct a non-intrusive search of the car with assistance from a canine unit. A total of 219 pounds of marijuana, valued atmore than $175,500 was found hidden in the vehicle, they said.Both occupants were arrested and turned over to New Mexico DEA along with the narcotics for processing.
