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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake