February 11, 2008 Laredo, Texas
Kilos of cocaine found on women and children body carriers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo
port of entry discovered 21 pounds of cocaine valued at $672,000
on four body carriers and five pounds of crystal methamphetamine
valued at $75,000 on another body carrier. The five seizures
resulted in five arrests during a four-day period this week.

On Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at approximately 3 a.m., CBP officers at
the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge referred a commercial passenger bus for
secondary inspection. Elisa Lozano, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from
Santiago, Nuevo Leon, Mexico a passenger on the bus, traveling
along with her two minor children, were referred for secondary
inspection also. During the examination, CBP officers detected
discrepancies with the manner of clothing that both of the minors
and their mother were wearing. Upon further examination, CBP
officers discovered three packages containing seven pounds of
cocaine concealed around the woman, her 16-year old daughter,
and her 17-year old son’s mid-sections.  The cocaine has an
estimated street value of $224,000. The adult woman was arrested
by CBP officers on federal drug violations and turned over to U. S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents to be
transported to the Webb County Jail where she remained
incarcerated. The two minors were turned over to an older sibling
with no further incident.

On that same bus another female passenger, Graciela Trevino-
Morantes, a 48-year old Mexican citizen was also referred for
secondary inspection. During that examination, CBP officers also
detected discrepancies in her behavior. Upon further examination,
CBP officers discovered she had concealed two packages
containing five pounds of cocaine within the bathroom of the bus.
The cocaine has an estimated street value of $160,000. She was
arrested by CBP officers on federal drug violations and turned over
to ICE special agents who investigated that seizure also.

A third person on that same bus was also referred for secondary
examination. During that examination, CBP officers detected
discrepancies with the manner of clothing that Blanca Esthela
Garcia de Celaya, a 57-year-old Mexican citizen from Monterrey;
Nuevo Leon, Mexico was wearing, too. Upon further examination,
CBP officers discovered three packages containing seven pounds of
cocaine strapped to the woman’s mid-section. The cocaine has an
estimated street value of $224,000. The woman was arrested by
CBP officers on federal drug violations and turned over to ICE
special agents who investigated the seizure.

Source: US Customs / Border Patrol