May 20, 2009  El Paso, Texas
CBP officers find 74.31 pounds of marijuana hidden inside a water heater

On May 20, 2009 a 1993 Plymouth Voyager entered the El Paso port of entry from Mexico. When a CBP officer performed a cursory inspection of the water heater using the K-910 "Buster" density meter then referred the vehicle to secondary for further examination. In secondary, CBP narcotic detecting dog "Rico" alerted to the water heater. CBP officers continued their exam and discovered 73 marijuana filled bundles hidden inside the water heater.

The total amount of drugs seized was 74.31 pounds of marijuana and the driver of the van, a 63-year-old Mexican male living in Suarez, Chihuahua, Mexico was turned over to the custody of the El Paso Police Department.

Source: US Customs and Border Protection