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  4. CBP Officers Make Eight Drug Busts Thursday At El Paso Port Of Entry

CBP Officers Make Eight Drug Busts Thursday At El Paso Port Of Entry

Release Date
Fri, 10/24/2014

EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry made eight drug seizures yesterday. CBP officers confiscated approximately 661.40 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $529,120 and 30.16 pounds of methamphetamines with an estimated street value of $723,840.

“CBP officers, our canine teams, Border Patrol agents and the use of high-tech tools greatly contributed to these significant seizures and arrests,” said Francis Brown, CBP El Paso Acting Port Director. “As CBP officers secure the border they encounter smuggling attempts, make arrests and seize dangerous narcotics. These were great enforcement actions by our frontline CBP personnel.” 

The largest of the eight seizures was made at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing at approximately 5:18 a.m. when a 1994 GMC 1500 Sierra arrived at the port from Mexico. A CBP officer at the primary inspection booth initiated an exam and selected the vehicle for a secondary exam. CBP officers scanned the vehicle with a Z-Portal x-ray system and spotted anomalies in the spare tire and front wall of the truck bed. CBP officers removed 138 marijuana-filled bundles with an approximate weight of 143.73 pounds from the truck.

Packages of marijuana concealed in forward bed wall of pick up truck.

Packages of marijuana concealed in forward bed wall of pick up truck.

CBP officers arrested the driver, 36-year-old Sabino Leon Sanchez, of El Paso, Texas. He was turned over to ICE-HSI special agents after the case was accepted for federal prosecution. 

In addition to the drug seizures, CBP officers recorded 11 immigration violations of intended immigrants. Intended immigrants will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. These individuals are processed administratively and returned to Mexico.

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.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021