PRESIDIO, TEXAS -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the Presidio port of entry seized 108 pounds of marijuana Thursday morning. The drugs were concealed within a false bed of a 1993 Ford Ranger.
“This seizure is a result of the use of modern technology and excellent officer observational skills”, said Michael Neipert, CBP Presidio Port Director.
The seizure was made at 5:30 a.m. Thursday when a male Mexican citizen applied for entry at the primary inspection station. A CBP officer noted that the driver was nervous when making his primary declaration. The vehicle and driver were referred to secondary for a detailed examination. The vehicle was scanned with Z-Portal x-ray system resulting in anomalies detected in bed of the pickup truck. Closer examination revealed two trap doors leading to a false bed containing 98 bundles weighing a little over a pound apiece. The contents of the bundles tested positive for the properties of marijuana.
CBP officers took custody of the 27-year-old driver and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI agents in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.