Pubdate: Sat, 13 Dec 2008
Source: Monitor, The (McAllen, TX)
Copyright: 2008 The Monitor
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/qsOVHygd
Website: http://www.themonitor.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1250
Author: Ana Ley, The Monitor

BORDER PATROL POT SEIZURES UP SIGNIFICANTLY FIRST WEEK OF THIS MONTH

McALLEN -- U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley seized 188 
percent more marijuana the first week of December this year compared to the 
same period last year, according to figures from the agency.

Agents seized more than 20,600 pounds of marijuana throughout the Valley 
from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8.

The largest seizure was more than 3,600 pounds and had an estimated street 
value of $16.5 million. The drugs were found inside a trailer at the 
checkpoint near Falfurrias.

"The government of Mexico is cutting down on trafficking and they're doing 
an excellent job," said Border Patrol spokesman John Lopez, explaining the 
increase in confiscated marijuana. "It's also a result of increased efforts 
by federal, state and local agencies."

Officers carried out 57 seizures the first week of this month, a 155 
percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.

 From fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2008, however, the number of 
marijuana seizures decreased about 10 percent. Border Patrol fiscal years 
run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

Lopez said the dramatic increase in seizures this month is likely a result 
of drug dealers trying to liquidate big marijuana stashes in Mexico by 
smuggling loads into the United States instead of risking getting caught 
with massive quantities of drugs in stash houses.

"They want to push the drugs in (to the United States)," Lopez said.

Nationally, the Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley Sector ranks third in 
marijuana seizures and first in cocaine seizures, the agency reports.

Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor.
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