Border Patrol Agents Seize Over Half-Ton Of Marijuana

SANTA TERESA, N.M. – Agents from the El Paso Sector of the Border Patrol seized more than a half-ton of marijuana that was being smuggled into the U.S. near the Santa Teresa Port of Entry Tuesday night.

The agents saw a dark-colored Chevy pickup headed North on the Pete Domenici Highway and when they attempted to stop the vehicle for an inspection, the driver of the pickup made a U-turn and headed toward Mexico.

The truck led agents in pursuit back to the border where back up agents deployed a ‘spike strip’ to puncture the pickup’s tires.

The suspect attempted to continue driving on deflated tires into the desert, but the vehiclesoon stalled. The driver was identified as 19-year old Ernesto Rojo-Lopez of Mexico was arrested and a search of the vehicle revealed 1,435 pounds of marijuana were stowed.

The seizure had an estimated value of $1.1 million and it, along with the driver and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency for investigation.