BP Agents Seize More Than $1,000,000 In Marijuana
SANTA TERESA, NM – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents in Santa Teresa seized 1,354 pounds of marijuana concealed in a stolen truck.
In a separate incident, agents in Lordsburg, N.M., arrested eight individuals transporting nearly 450 pounds of marijuana on Tuesday.
According to CBP Officials, Border Patrol agents spotted a 2005 GMC Sierra entering the U.S. illegally east of the Santa Teresa port of entry. The truck was proceeding towards El Paso on Pete Domenici highway.
Officials explained that a license check of the truck revealed it was reported stolen. Once agents stopped the truck, they discovered over 1,200 packages of marijuana in the bed and cab. The driver, a 24-year-old Mexican national who had been previously deported from the U.S., was arrested on scene. The marijuana seized has a street value of more than $1,000,000.
In a second incident near Lordsburg, N.M., agents discovered eight illegal immigrants with backpacks that contained 20 bundles with 450 pounds of marijuana each. According to officials, The value of the drug is close to $400,000. Agents were led to the illegals after following their footprints in a remote area near NM Highway 113. All of the illegals were arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs enforcement along with the drugs.
Customs and Border Protection report that as of June 30, Border Patrol agents in the El Paso Sector have seized nearly $94,000,000 of narcotics in 835 incidents.
