Pubdate: Fri, 15 Mar 2002 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2002 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Diana Washington Valdez GUARDSMEN HELP INS AT BRIDGES Soldiers Will Assist With Checks Until More Inspectors Arrive National Guard troops on Thursday began helping patrol El Paso's international bridges and assisting the Immigration and Naturalization Service with inspections. The unarmed soldiers, who are trained in drug interdiction, will remain at the bridges until 50 new INS inspectors report for duty in late summer, said Ray Adams, INS deputy district director in El Paso. "The primary mission of the National Guard is to increase security at the border," Adams said. "They will work directly with armed INS inspectors." For security reasons, Adams said, the INS could not disclose how many soldiers are assigned to bridge duties. He did say they will be on hand around the clock. On Thursday, the soldiers at the Paso del Norte Bridge helped check the exteriors and interiors of vehicles as INS inspectors checked the immigration documents of people traveling from Juarez to El Paso. The soldiers walked down the line to direct traffic and look for any suspicious activity or cargo. "We're also hoping this helps move the lines a little faster," INS Paso del Norte Port Director Isabel Mullens said. "The National Guard will be of great assistance to us." During the news conference to announce the National Guard's role with INS, a drug-sniffing dog alerted U.S. Customs Service officers to a pickup in an INS inspection lane that might have marijuana in the tires. The truck was directed to the canopy area, where it was checked more closely for illegal drugs. U.S. Customs spokesman Roger Maier said that as of Thursday afternoon, customs had conducted three marijuana seizures at the Paso del Norte Bridge. Three people were arrested in connection with the busts. On Wednesday, bridge officials reported seven marijuana interdictions at border crossings -- three at Paso del Norte and four at Santa Teresa. "Fifty-one percent of the drug seizures at the bridges are the result of INS referrals," INS spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said. "An INS inspector will note a suspicious vehicle or a driver acting nervously, and he or she will refer the vehicle to a secondary inspection, lane where they detect drugs or other contraband." U.S. officials credit stepped-up border inspections for record drug seizures. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh