JULY 21, 2003 Texas & Ohio
21,947 pounds of marijuana destined for Columbus, OH seized in Laredo, TX
21,947 pounds of marijuana destined for Columbus, OH seized in Laredo, TX
The Department of Homeland Security today announced that the
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Bureau of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have seized a 21,947-
pound load of marijuana in Texas, arrested one individual, and
executed a federal search warrant in Ohio in connection with the
foiled marijuana smuggling effort.
The seizure, which was made by CBP inspectors in Laredo, Texas
on July 11, is one of the largest single loads of marijuana seized
along the Southwest border in recent years. Shortly after the
seizure, ICE agents arrested the individual who drove the load.
Earlier today, ICE agents executed a federal search warrant on a
business in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the ongoing investigation
into those responsible for the marijuana shipment.
“This case is a good example of how the diverse capabilities of
several agencies are best organized under one department of
government,” said Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and
Transportation Security in the Department of Homeland Security.
“CBP used its risk analysis and non-interim jurisdiction capabilities
to find these illegal drugs, then simultaneously handed them off to
ICE to use its assets to attempt the delivery of the drugs hundreds
of miles away from the border.”
“The magnitude of this seizure illustrates the role that U.S. Customs
and Border Protection inspectors play in protecting the American
public from any item that may cause them harm, be it illegal drugs or
terrorist weapons,” said Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection. “Anti-Terrorism remains our first
priority, but drug seizures remain an important and traditional
mission. This seizure was the result of Customs and Border
Protection inspectors being alert and using automated targeting to
identify this shipment of drugs.”
“This seizure and the ongoing investigation demonstrate the
effectiveness of Homeland Security’s combined resources. ICE
special agents are working hand-in-hand with CBP inspectors and
other law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, and,
ultimately, arrest those responsible for importing this enormous
marijuana shipment,” said Michael J. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for
ICE.
The marijuana seizure was made at approximately 1:30 P.M on July
11, when a commercial conveyance entered the Laredo Port of
Entry from Mexico. CBP inspectors targeted the truck for an
intensive inspection because a pre-arrival analysis of data in the
CBP Automated Targeting System and documentation supporting
the shipment generated suspicion. The driver was directed to the
CBP mobile truck gamma-ray system, but instead tried to leave the
facility. CBP inspectors stopped the truck at the exit gate and
escorted the vehicle to the x-ray unit.
CBP inspectors scanned the 18-wheeler and identified an anomaly
within the merchandise. The tractor-trailer was moved to the
contraband enforcement team dock for an intensive examination. As
the trailer was being unloaded, inspectors discovered bundles
wrapped in plastic cellophane packed inside the boxes. CBP
Inspectors probed one bundle, revealing a green leafy substance,
which field-tested positive for marijuana. CBP drug-sniffing dog
“Sassy” searched the contents of the trailer and confirmed the
presence of narcotics. A total of 1,292 marijuana-filled bundles were
discovered.
Immediately after the seizure, ICE agents arrested the driver,
Gregorio Rosas-Escuedero of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, on federal
drug charges. ICE agents then began an intensive investigation to
identify all those responsible for the importation of the marijuana.
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Bureau of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have seized a 21,947-
pound load of marijuana in Texas, arrested one individual, and
executed a federal search warrant in Ohio in connection with the
foiled marijuana smuggling effort.
The seizure, which was made by CBP inspectors in Laredo, Texas
on July 11, is one of the largest single loads of marijuana seized
along the Southwest border in recent years. Shortly after the
seizure, ICE agents arrested the individual who drove the load.
Earlier today, ICE agents executed a federal search warrant on a
business in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the ongoing investigation
into those responsible for the marijuana shipment.
“This case is a good example of how the diverse capabilities of
several agencies are best organized under one department of
government,” said Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and
Transportation Security in the Department of Homeland Security.
“CBP used its risk analysis and non-interim jurisdiction capabilities
to find these illegal drugs, then simultaneously handed them off to
ICE to use its assets to attempt the delivery of the drugs hundreds
of miles away from the border.”
“The magnitude of this seizure illustrates the role that U.S. Customs
and Border Protection inspectors play in protecting the American
public from any item that may cause them harm, be it illegal drugs or
terrorist weapons,” said Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection. “Anti-Terrorism remains our first
priority, but drug seizures remain an important and traditional
mission. This seizure was the result of Customs and Border
Protection inspectors being alert and using automated targeting to
identify this shipment of drugs.”
“This seizure and the ongoing investigation demonstrate the
effectiveness of Homeland Security’s combined resources. ICE
special agents are working hand-in-hand with CBP inspectors and
other law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, and,
ultimately, arrest those responsible for importing this enormous
marijuana shipment,” said Michael J. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for
ICE.
The marijuana seizure was made at approximately 1:30 P.M on July
11, when a commercial conveyance entered the Laredo Port of
Entry from Mexico. CBP inspectors targeted the truck for an
intensive inspection because a pre-arrival analysis of data in the
CBP Automated Targeting System and documentation supporting
the shipment generated suspicion. The driver was directed to the
CBP mobile truck gamma-ray system, but instead tried to leave the
facility. CBP inspectors stopped the truck at the exit gate and
escorted the vehicle to the x-ray unit.
CBP inspectors scanned the 18-wheeler and identified an anomaly
within the merchandise. The tractor-trailer was moved to the
contraband enforcement team dock for an intensive examination. As
the trailer was being unloaded, inspectors discovered bundles
wrapped in plastic cellophane packed inside the boxes. CBP
Inspectors probed one bundle, revealing a green leafy substance,
which field-tested positive for marijuana. CBP drug-sniffing dog
“Sassy” searched the contents of the trailer and confirmed the
presence of narcotics. A total of 1,292 marijuana-filled bundles were
discovered.
Immediately after the seizure, ICE agents arrested the driver,
Gregorio Rosas-Escuedero of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, on federal
drug charges. ICE agents then began an intensive investigation to
identify all those responsible for the importation of the marijuana.
Source: ICE
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NARCOTIC NEWS
Marijuana News Archive 2003
Marijuana News Archive 2003