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U.S. Customs And Border Protection Officers at El Paso Port of Entry Make 25 Drug Seizures This Weekend

(Monday, April 03, 2006)

El Paso, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized more than a ton of marijuana this weekend. CBP officers netted 2,554 pounds of marijuana and 2.5 pounds of cocaine in 25 different seizures from Friday through Sunday.

CBP officers more than doubled the amount of drug busts they typically make on any given day during this period, said David Longoria, U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Port Director. The El Paso port of entry generally averages three to four drug seizures a day so the result of this weekend represents a significant increase in drug seizure activity.

On Friday, CBP officers working at the El Paso port of entry made nine drug busts, totaling 763 pounds of marijuana and 2.5 pounds of cocaine. Four of the seizures were at the Paso Del Norte crossing, three at the Ysleta facility, and two at the Bridge of the Americas. The largest seizure Friday was at the Ysleta crossing when CBP officers located 233 pounds of marijuana in the bed and gas tank of a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado.

The busiest day during the three day weekend occurred Saturday when area CBP officers made 11 drug busts, totaling 1,163 pounds of marijuana. Four of the seizures were at the Paso Del Norte crossing, six at the Ysleta facility, and one at the Bridge of the Americas. The largest seizure Saturday was at the Ysleta crossing when CBP officers removed 159 pounds of marijuana from the bed of a 1989 Dodge Ram pickup.

On Sunday, area CBP officers made five drug busts, totaling 627 pounds of marijuana. Three of the seizures were at the Bridge of the Americas crossing and the other two at the Ysleta port. The largest seizure Sunday was again at the Ysleta crossing when CBP officers located 237 pounds of marijuana in the bed wall, sides, and quarter panels of a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup.

I want to recognize the dedication of our officers who were able to maintain short border crossing times while processing a large number of drug seizures this weekend, said Longoria. They represent the best in their ability to balance enforcement and facilitation while upholding the CBP anti-terror mission.

U. S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nations borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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