Border Patrol, DEA Make Large Marijuana Seizure

Monday, July 28, 2008

Alamogordo, N.M. – As a result of a cooperative effort by agents from the Alamogordo Border Patrol Station and the Drug Enforcement Administration, more than 380 pounds of marijuana was seized at a traffic checkpoint on U.S. Highway 54 over the weekend.

The incident unfolded when Border Patrol agents received information from DEA about a possible smuggling load that may be coming through the Highway 54 checkpoint over the weekend. The suspect vehicle was described as a late model Dodge pickup. At approximately 12:15 p.m., a 2006 Dodge Ram pulling a horse trailer pulled into the checkpoint.

The agent at the primary inspection area noticed the vehicle had no license plate. Upon further questioning, the agent became suspicious of the mannerisms being displayed by the driver, a 35-year-old U.S. Citizen from Oklahoma. Agents were given consent to look inside the trailer and tack room, as well as conduct a search with a Border Patrol canine. The canine inspection of the truck and trailer led agents to a hidden compartment located behind an aftermarket wall inside the horse trailer. Using a fiber optic scope to look inside the wall, agents then located a cardboard box concealed inside the compartment. Further inspection led to eight duffle bags and a box containing plastic wrapped bundles of marijuana. A total of 328 bundles were discovered with a total weight of 383.22 pounds.

Agents arrested the driver of the Dodge Ram and turned him over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the contraband.