By KRWG News
Las Cruces – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol Agents in Alamogordo made three arrests and seized approximately 773 pounds of marijuana, with a value of $618,000, in two separate incidents this week at Highway Traffic Checkpoints south of Alamogordo.
The first seizure, which occurred at 9 p.m. on July 23, was made when the driver of a 2007 Dodge pick-up truck was referred to secondary inspection and gave consent to inspect a diesel tank tool box in the truck's bed. After emptying the gas from the tank, further inspection revealed compartments that contained five bundles, weighing 553 pounds of a green leafy substance. The substance later tested positive for marijuana. Agents arrested the 58-year-old driver from Mexico.
In a second incident the following day, CBP/Border Patrol Agents at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Highway 70, just West of Alamogordo, encountered a Ford Excursion that was referred to secondary inspection after the driver displayed unusual mannerisms. A non-intrusive K-9 inspection was conducted along with the assistance of checkpoint technology, which revealed anomalies in the vehicle's doors. Agents discovered numerous bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 220 pounds. The 22-year-old driver and a 22-year-old passenger, both from Las Cruces, were taken into custody.
The subjects in both incidents, the narcotics and vehicles were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pending prosecution.