September 13, 2007    Hebbronville, Texas
287 pounds of Marijuana seized during a traffic checkpoint on Highway 16

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents seized 287 pounds of marijuana at the Hebbronville traffic checkpoint Thursday morning.

A canine working at the checkpoint on Highway 16 alerted agents to a pickup truck occupied by a male driver and a female passenger. Agents searched the truck and found 39 bundles of marijuana hidden in a compartment that had been fabricated under the bed. The marijuana has a street value of approximately $229,600.

The drugs and the driver, a U.S. citizen, were turned over to Drug Enforcement Agency agents. The woman, also identified as a U.S. citizen and the mother of the driver, was released.

During fiscal year 2007, Laredo sector agents have seized nearly 128,000 pounds of marijuana worth more than $102 million.

To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.

Source: US Customs