NOVEMBER 17, 2003 Laredo, Texas & Shafter, California
2,500 pounds of marijuana seized in Texas, 4 men later arrested in California
2,500 pounds of marijuana seized in Texas, 4 men later arrested in California
Four men made their initial appearance in federal court before a
magistrate here this afternoon on drug charges stemming from an
unusual smuggling scheme initially uncovered at a Texas border
crossing earlier this month. The four were arrested by agents with
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Friday night after
they accepted a shipment of clay figurines filled with marijuana.
The figurines, shaped like kneeling, sombrero-wearing mariachis,
were among a shipment of items that crossed the border at Laredo,
Texas on November 17. Inspectors with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) detected the contraband and alerted ICE
investigators. ICE agents then took control of the shipment and
delivered it to its planned destination, La Muebleria Furniture, 514
East Lerdo Highway, in Shafter, California.
Mike Carillo, who claims to own La Muebleria Furniture, accepted
the shipment. The other men charged today, Juan Zepeda, Ramon
Fernandez, and Salvador Fernandez helped unload the items at the
store. ICE agents returned to the store later with search warrants
and confiscated more than 2,500 pounds of marijuana. The seized
marijuana has an estimated street value of more than $1.2 million.
magistrate here this afternoon on drug charges stemming from an
unusual smuggling scheme initially uncovered at a Texas border
crossing earlier this month. The four were arrested by agents with
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Friday night after
they accepted a shipment of clay figurines filled with marijuana.
The figurines, shaped like kneeling, sombrero-wearing mariachis,
were among a shipment of items that crossed the border at Laredo,
Texas on November 17. Inspectors with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) detected the contraband and alerted ICE
investigators. ICE agents then took control of the shipment and
delivered it to its planned destination, La Muebleria Furniture, 514
East Lerdo Highway, in Shafter, California.
Mike Carillo, who claims to own La Muebleria Furniture, accepted
the shipment. The other men charged today, Juan Zepeda, Ramon
Fernandez, and Salvador Fernandez helped unload the items at the
store. ICE agents returned to the store later with search warrants
and confiscated more than 2,500 pounds of marijuana. The seized
marijuana has an estimated street value of more than $1.2 million.
Source: ICE
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NARCOTIC NEWS
Marijuana News Archive 2003
Marijuana News Archive 2003