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.
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