10/30/2009

News / CBP Officers Seize Weapons, Marijuana at Texas Border

Laredo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo, Texas port of entry yesterday seized several weapons and marijuana valued at $321,000 in three separate interceptions at the International Bridges.


The weapons seizure occurred on Oct. 28 at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge when CBP officers and Border Patrol agents were working outbound (southbound) inspections. A Border Patrol agent referred a 1999 Mercury Cougar driven by J. Santos Guel Barbosa, a 47-year-old Mexican national, for a secondary examination.


The driver gave a negative declaration for currency in excess of $10,000, weapons or ammunition. CBP officers noted discrepancies in the quarter panels during the vehicle’s secondary inspection. CBP canine “Akim” alerted to the odor of currency/weapons emanating from the rear area of the vehicle. A scan of the vehicle also resulted in anomalies being found in the quarter panels of the vehicle.


CBP officers and Border Patrol agents conducted an intensive examination of the quarter panels and discovered a total of 15 unassembled weapons and two rounds magazines. CBP officers arrested Guel Barbosa on weapons smuggling charges and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who investigated the seizure. CBP officers seized the vehicle and the weapons.


“Our officers remain ever vigilant and help secure the border through northbound and southbound inspections," said Gene Garza, CBP port director, Laredo. "This significant weapons seizure underscores the determination of our officers and agents and the effectiveness of our enhanced outbound inspection operations."

The first marijuana seizure occurred on the same date and bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2004 Honda CRV driven by Erik Javier Cepeda Ramirez, a 28-year-old male Mexican national from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon for inspection. CBP officers noted discrepancies in the rocker panels of the vehicle. CBP canine “Darko” alerted to the presence of narcotics emanating from the vehicle and a scan resulted in anomalies in the same area. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the rocker panels and discovered 29 bundles containing a total of 72 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $72,000.


The second marijuana seizure also occurred yesterday at the World Trade International Bridge. A CBP officer referred a 1996 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Gabriel Solis Burciaga, a 27-year-old male Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas for a secondary inspection. At secondary, a non-intrusive imaging system indicated anomalies in the sleeper area of the Freightliner. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the tractor’s sleeper area and discovered 13 packages containing a total of 249 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $249,000.


CBP officers arrested both drivers and turned them over to ICE special agents who investigated the marijuana seizures and processed them on federal drug charges. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the Honda CRV.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10292009_3.xml

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