September 20, 2007    Laredo, Texas
Border Patrol agents seize 728 pounds of marijuana during a checkpoint in the new Laredo West Station

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents assigned to the newly formed Laredo West Station seized 728 pounds of marijuana yesterday afternoon.

While working at the Highway 83 Border Patrol checkpoint, a Border Patrol canine alerted to the possibility of hidden persons or narcotics in the bed of a pick-up truck. The truck, which was driven by a U.S. Citizen, was referred to secondary inspection for further investigation.

While in secondary inspection, the truck was examined by the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS), a device that uses gamma rays to produce a radiographic image. The VACIS showed some anomalies in the bed floor and sidewalls of the truck. As the agents performed a visual inspection they too noted some inconsistencies in the welds of the bed.

The agents removed the bed liner of the truck, which revealed false compartment doors on the bed floor and the two sidewalls. Upon opening the compartment doors, agents discovered 145 cellophane-wrapped bundles containing a green leafy substance that was later determined to be marijuana. The marijuana, totaling 728 pounds, was valued at approximately $528,400.

The drugs, truck, and subject were turned over to DEA agents.

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/Border Patrol