Pubdate: Sat, 06 Jan 2001
Source: Arizona Daily Star (AZ)
Copyright: 2001 Pulitzer Publishing Co.
Contact:  P.O. Box 26807, Tucson, AZ 85726-6807
Fax: (520) 573-4141
Website: http://www.azstarnet.com/star/today/

720 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA FOUND IN CAR THAT CRASHED PORT

2 Arrested After Chase

DOUGLAS - Border agents seized more than 720 pounds of marijuana from
a vehicle that crashed the port of entry Thursday night by driving
north through the southbound lane.

Two men were arrested in this latest in a string of port-running
events. Law enforcement officials attribute the trend to a crackdown
on smuggling that has left smugglers more desperate.

Port Director James Tong of the U.S. Customs Service said that just
before 9 p.m., Mexican port officials notified Customs inspectors that
a white 1991 Ford Crown Victoria with no license plates had just run
the port.

As the vehicle headed through Douglas, a Border Patrol helicopter
picked up the chase with the help of Border Patrol ground agents,
Douglas police and Customs agents.

"The vehicle crashed through the Rogers Road ranch gate, and a short
distance later the driver lost control and crashed. The two subjects
got out and attempted to flee but were apprehended," Tong said.

The driver, a 15-year-old from Agua Prieta, was injured in the
accident and taken to the Douglas hospital, where he was treated and
then released back to Customs.

The passenger, 21-year-old Cesar Chavez Valenzuela, also of Agua
Prieta - suspected of directing the operation - was taken into custody
at the scene. The marijuana was discovered later at the port of entry
by Customs inspectors as they searched the vehicle.

Since Oct. 1, there have been five port-running incidents. Because of
the threat they pose, law enforcement agencies are working out a
cooperative strategy to combat the smugglers' new tactic, Tong said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake