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Juvenile Drug Smuggler Stopped by CBP Officers at Columbus Port

Release Date
Wed, 10/03/2012

Columbus, N.M. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Columbus port of entry seized 2.2 pounds of marijuana this morning. The drugs were hidden in the purse of a 17-year-old Deming girl.

"This is the first juvenile drug smuggling case at the Columbus port since we intercepted several school age smugglers in April of this year," said acting CBP Columbus Port Director Jose Robles. "CBP officers remain vigilant knowing that smugglers can be young, old or anywhere in between."

The seizure was made at approximately 6:30 a.m. today when the teen entered the port as a pedestrian border crosser. CBP officers interviewed the 17-year-old and then initiated an exam of her backpack and purse. The search uncovered two marijuana-filled bricks inside the purse. CBP officers took the girl into custody. She was turned over to the Border Operations Task Force.

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.

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 nation's 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.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021