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Border Security

CBP officers stop marijuana, fentanyl, and cocaine smuggling attempts

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EL PASO, TX - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working throughout the El Paso area ports seized over 252 pounds of narcotics in three separate failed smuggling attempts. “Every time a CBP officer intercepts a narcotic smuggling attempt it can potentially save a life of one of our fellow citizens,” said CBP El Paso Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “CBP officer expertise and technology play a role in our enforcement strategy.” The first interception occurred on March 11, when two individuals arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes at the Santa Teresa port of entry. A 20

Dulles CBP Intercepts 53-Pound Marijuana Load Destined to Paris, MWAA Police Arrest Maryland Woman

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STERLING, Va. – A Maryland woman was arrested on felony narcotics charges at Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 53 pounds of marijuana in her checked baggage. Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police officers charged Sydney Lewis, 33, of Bryans City, Maryland, with felony possession with intent to distribute, transportation, and narcotics conspiracy charges. While inspecting bags being loaded onto a Paris, France-bound flight, CBP officers discovered vacuum-sealed bags full of suspected marijuana in

Baltimore CBP Intercepts 32-Pound Marijuana Load Destined to London, Passenger Released

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BALTIMORE – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a 32-pound marijuana load that one passenger attempted to smuggle to London from Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on February 25. The passenger, a 22-year-old California woman, has not been charged, however the criminal investigation is ongoing. CBP officers discovered the marijuana in a suitcase being loaded onto the Reykjavik, Iceland-bound flight. The traveler had follow-on travel to London. CBP officers identified the traveler by the baggage tag and found the traveler at the departure gate. Officers

Port of El Paso CBP Officers stop multiple narcotic smuggling attempts

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EL PASO, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Paso Del Norte and Bridge of the Americas border crossings seized a combined 117 pounds of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana within the first five days of March. "CBP officers are faced with an array of smuggling attempts and concealment methods, yet they remain vigilant in disrupting the flow of dangerous narcotics from entering our country and reaching our communities," said CBO Port of El Paso Director Ray Provencio. On March 1, CBP officers encountered a 38-year-old male, Mexican citizen who arrived via the

Dulles CBP Intercepts 88-Pound Hash Load Destined to Brazil, VA State Police Arrest California Resident

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STERLING, Va. – A male California resident is facing felony narcotics possession charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nearly 88 pounds of Hashish in his checked baggage on Monday at Washington Dulles International Airport. Virginia State Police troopers charged Johnathan Edward Perez, 27, with felony possession with intent to distribute, transportation, and narcotics conspiracy charges. CBP has observed an increasing trend of United States-based growers and retailers shipping marijuana to Europe and Africa where high-quality weed can fetch prices many times

CBP to briefly suspend Paso Del Norte SENTRI service March 2

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EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection will temporarily suspend SENTRI/DCL processing at the Paso Del Norte international crossing from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. March 2. The short disruption is necessary to provide a safe return route for runners competing in the annual International 10K race which is being held that morning and concludes at the top of the PDN bridge. To accommodate any traffic that would regularly use the PDN trusted traveler lane CBP will open the SENTRI/DCL lanes at the neighboring Stanton Street bridge earlier than normal. The Stanton SENTRI/DCL lane will open at

Dulles CBP Officers Seize Over $167K in Unreported Currency from Six Separate Travelers

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STERLING, Va. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than $167,000 in unreported currency during six separate seizures in February at Washington Dulles International Airport. CBP currency detector dogs Fuzz and Cato alerted during four of the six seizures. There is no limit to how much currency or other monetary instruments travelers may bring to or take out of the United States. However, federal law [ 31 USC 5316 ] requires travelers to report all currency of $10,000 or greater to a CBP officer and complete U.S. Treasury Department Report of International Transportation of

CBP Officers stop multiple fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana smuggling attempts

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EL PASO, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Paso Del Norte border crossing disrupted three fentanyl, one cocaine, and one marijuana smuggling attempts within five days. “CBP officers remain ever vigilant in their enforcement efforts to prevent illicit drugs from entering our country,” said CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio. “CBP Officers utilize their skill, and various tools and other resources to aid in the successful interception of these dangerous drugs while also facilitating the flow of lawful trade and travel.” On Feb. 10, CBP officers intercepted 617.6

Dulles CBP Intercepts 73-Pound Marijuana Load Destined to Paris, VA State Police Arrest two Nevada Men

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STERLING, Va. – Two Las Vegas men are facing felony narcotics possession charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nearly 73 pounds of marijuana in their checked baggage on Thursday at Washington Dulles International Airport. Virginia State Police troopers charged Kaliq Talib McCallister, 33, and Christian Tyler Knight, 28, with felony possession with intent to distribute, transportation, and narcotics conspiracy charges. CBP has observed an increasing trend of United States-based growers and retailers shipping marijuana to Europe and Africa where high-quality weed