El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the El Paso port of entry made one cocaine seizure and four marijuana seizures during the weekend. CBP officers confiscated a total of 46.55 pounds of cocaine and 202.83 pounds of marijuana.
"Our officers continue to impress me with their ability to make all types of seizures while continuing their work in processing legitimate travelers as expeditiously as possible," said Bill Molaski, CBP El Paso Port Director. "This great work shows the focus and commitment that all our officers put forth every day."
CBP officers at the Bridge of the Americas at the El Paso port of entry confiscated 46.55 pounds of cocaine on Friday from a 28-year-old female from Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico. The seizure was made during a pre-primary inspection of a 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser. CBP drug sniffing dog "Outlaw" searched the vehicle and alerted to the passenger side door area. The vehicle was taken to a separate inspection area where an extensive inspection was conducted. CBP officers discovered 21 packages concealed in the rear quarter panels of the vehicle. The contents of the bundles tested positive for cocaine.
CBP officers at the port arrested the driver, Nubia Cano Moran. She was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents to face federal charges including importation of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. She is currently detained without bond at the El Paso County Jail.
In addition to the drug seizures, CBP officers working at El Paso area ports of entry also recorded 48 immigration violations at area ports this weekend including 44 intended immigrants and four imposters. Intended immigrants will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. They also lose their documents and are generally returned to Mexico. Imposters generally will use a legitimate entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. Violators generally lose their documents, can be prosecuted and go to jail and/or are returned to Mexico.
CBP officers working at area ports made a total of eight fugitive apprehensions during the period.
CBP officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas and New Mexico made six seizures of agricultural items. Violators paid $1,300 in penalties in association with the violations. Prohibited food products seized included guavas, apples, tangerines, quince and fresh agave plant.
CBP Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers' primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.