October 11, 10

NEWS / Boy Busted with $20,000 in Marijuana at Douglas Port of Entry

Douglas, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a drug smuggling attempt when they seized more than two pounds of marijuana concealed in a backpack that belonged to a young boy as he was on his way to school.

On Oct. 7 at approximately 7 a. m., CBP officers were screening traffic coming from Mexico when they selected a vehicle full of school children for further inspection. During the search, the CBP officers discovered that one of the school backpacks contained a little more than two pounds of marijuana.

The back pack belonged to a 14-year-old boy identified as a U.S. citizen and resident of Douglas, Ariz. The two pounds of marijuana had an estimated street value of $20,000.

CBP officers seized the marijuana. The boy was held for further questioning and released to his custodial parent.

“The drug traffickers’ prey upon the naivety and innocence of our youth,” said Michael Humphries, area port director for the Douglas and Naco ports of entry. "The consequences of such decisions are serious and can scar the life of a child forever. CBP remains vigilant against any element that threatens our nation or its people."

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/10072010_4.xml