CBP Officers Seize $60,000 in Marijuana, Arrest Fugitive, Prior Deported Immigrant at Texas Port of Entry

CBP Officers Seize $60,000 in Marijuana, Arrest Fugitive, Prior Deported Immigrant at Texas Port of Entry

(Tuesday, July 22, 2008)
contacts for this news resease


Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection field operations officers at the Eagle Pass port of entry kept their eyes sharp this weekend and their vigilance yielded a seizure of $60,000 in marijuana, a drug fugitive and an arrest of a prior deported man for immigration violations.

The immigration violation arrest occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on July 20. CBP officers at Bridge I referred 51-year-old pedestrian Manuel De La Torre Salgado, a Mexican citizen from Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico for a secondary examination. De La Torre Salgado presented a Texas photo identification and claimed U.S. citizenship. CBP officers conducted queries to verify the citizenship claim and discovered that De La Torre Salgado was a Mexican citizen and had three prior removals in 1999.

CBP officers arrested De La Torre Salgado on charges of making a false claim to U.S. citizenship and processed him for expedited removal with prosecution.

The marijuana seizure occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 at Bridge I. CBP officers referred a 2003 Nissan Frontier pickup driven by Andrew Dee House, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen from Fredericksburg, Texas for a secondary inspection. During the examination, CBP officers noted discrepancies in the spare tire area. CBP narcotic detector dog "Herta" also alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. A non-intrusive imaging system scan revealed anomalies in the spare tire.

Intensive examination of the spare tire area yielded bundles containing 60 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $60,000. CBP officers arrested House and turned him over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who investigated the seizure and processed the driver on federal drug charges.

A significant fugitive apprehension also occurred on July 19, at Bridge II. CBP officers referred pedestrian Juan Jose Rodriguez, 18, a resident alien from Eagle Pass, Texas for a secondary examination after a primary name query indicated a possible warrant. In secondary, CBP officers confirmed Sullivan had an outstanding Maverick County warrant for possession of marijuana. CBP officers turned Rodriguez over to the custody of Maverick County sheriff’s deputies for adjudication of the warrant. A detainer was placed on Rodriguez to ensure his return to federal custody pending final adjudication of the state charges.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
109 Shiloh Dr., Suite 300
Laredo, TX 78045 Richard Pauza
Press Officer
Phone: (956) 753-1749
Fax: (956) 753-1750