Pubdate: Fri, 24 Dec 2004
Source: Corpus Christi Caller-Times (TX)
Copyright: 2004 Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Contact: http://www.caller.com/commcentral/email_ed.htm
Website: http://www.caller.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/872
Author: Ofelia Garcia Hunter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

BORDER PATROL UNCOVERS $10 MILLION IN POT

299 Bundles In Truck Weigh In At 12,139 Pounds

FALFURRIAS - Border Patrol agents seized nearly $10 million worth of
marijuana hidden in drywall on a tractor-trailer in the largest ever
marijuana bust at the checkpoint Thursday.

At about 3 a.m., agents searched the trailer and discovered 299
bundles of marijuana weighing 12,139 pounds. The marijuana has an
estimated value of $9.7 million.

The driver, from Roma, was arrested.

"This drug seizure illustrates the continued threat posed by smugglers
attempting to bring illegal drugs into our country," said McAllen
Sector Chief Patrol Agent Ramon Ortega.The bust also is second-largest
for the McAllen sector, said Dan Dody, public information officer for
the department.

The largest seizure for the sector was in 1996 at the Mercedes
checkpoint, where agents netted more than 17,000 pounds of pot
estimated at $14.3 million, Dody said. The sector covers 17,000 square
miles in 19 counties.

The case was referred to the Drug Enforcement Administration in Corpus
Christi.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin