SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "CBP Makes Two Large Marijuana Busts"

'FCL' here, covering  for our poor 'Nanny' who fractured her wrist a few days ago.

Look at this photo!  Can you believe some of the ways these cartels try to smuggle in dope to the USA??!

Click title to read about this bust. 

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Border Patrol Seizes More Than One Ton of Marijuana"

"Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized approximately 2,155 pounds of marijuana worth just over $1 million over the weekend.

 

Yesterday morning, Casa Grande Station agents utilizing imaging technology notified ground agents of 10 possible narcotics smugglers near the international boundary. Agents responded to the area, seized 14 bundles of marijuana and apprehended two subjects. The narcotics and the subjects were transported back to the station for processing. The narcotics weighed 740 pounds with an estimated value of $370,000. The subjects may face federal charges and the narcotics will be turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

Willcox Station agents working at the State Route 90 checkpoint referred a vehicle for secondary inspection on Saturday after a canine team alert. Agents discovered three bundles of marijuana concealed in the gas tank after utilizing imaging technology. The driver, a U.S. citizen was placed under arrest and transported along with the narcotics to the station for processing. The narcotics, weighing 18 pounds with a value of $9,000, will be turned over to the DEA. The driver may face federal charges.

 

In a separate incident Saturday, Willcox agents conducted a vehicle stop on a pickup truck and discovered 13 bundles of marijuana in the bed of the truck. The driver, a U.S. citizen was arrested and transported along with the narcotics for processing. The total weight of the narcotics was 212 pounds worth an estimated $106,000. The driver may face possible federal charges and the narcotics will be turned over to the DEA.

 

Ajo Station agents working on the ATV unit located 15 bundles of marijuana abandoned in the desert on Friday. The narcotics weighed 728 pounds worth an estimated value of $364,000. A few hours earlier, during a separate incident, Ajo agents utilizing imaging technology notified additional agents of possible narcotics smuggling near the international boundary. Agents responded and seized nine bundles of marijuana and apprehended four subjects. All narcotics and subjects were transported to the station for processing.

 

The narcotics weighed 457 pounds worth an estimated value of $228,500.

 

The Tucson Sector employs targeted enforcement efforts to deny and dismantle transnational criminal organizations. As a result of the Border Patrol’s enforcement efforts, criminal organizations are becoming increasingly desperate to get their narcotics into the interior of the United States.

 

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free.

 

All CBP assets in Arizona were realigned under a unified command structure in February 2011. Joint Field Command – Arizona unifies the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors and Air Branches, as well as the Tucson Field Office, to enhance border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation missions to meet Arizona’s unique challenges. Follow us on Twitter @CBPArizona or visit the attached website for more information. ( Arizona )

 

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

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Customs and Border Patrol "Texas CBP Officers Seize $3.7 Million in Marijuana Disguised as Lettuce"

Read this one closely.

One has to wonder how long they've gotten away with this and what other kinds of fruit and produce is used in this detailed way to smuggle dope in from Mexico?

A ton and a half of pot, street value of $3.7 million dollars.

One semi and one bust.

"On Jan. 17, CBP officers at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge encountered a Sterling tractor and utility refrigerated trailer at the cargo facility. The tractor and trailer were referred to CBP secondary screening for further inspection. Examination by CBP officers in the cargo secondary screening area revealed 1,348 packages commingled within the manifested commodity of fresh cabbage. CBP officers removed the 1,348 packages from the trailer which had a total weight of 1,661.5 kilograms, or 3,662.98 pounds, of alleged marijuana.

 

The alleged marijuana from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $3,662,980. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the tractor-trailer.

	click for hi-res More than 1,300 packages weighing more than 3,600 pounds were found in the shipment.

“Finding unique modes of concealment used in an attempt to smuggle illicit narcotics into the country is a daily occurrence for CBP officers on the frontline. This is a large load of alleged marijuana that has been stopped and will not make it into our nation’s cities thanks to the hard work of our CBP officers,” said Efrain Solis, CBP port director for Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas..."

(Read more?  See more photos?  Click title. )

SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "K-9 Unit dog sniffs out stash of marijuana "

'SandBox Nanny' is very glad she waited a day or so to post the news about this major pot bust by Eagle County Sheriff.

Why?

Because of this fabulous photo of Eagle County Sheriff K-9 Officer Best.  Good job! 

Since we are not being given a gender, we'll say:  "What a beautiful dog!  Keep up the good work."

Thanks so much!

(See K-9 Officer Best?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Coloradoan "Pot bust leaves grower in quandary"

Wonder what would happen if Colorado voters elected state lawmakers into office that campaign promised to sit down and tackle the job of roto-rooter mucking out the quagmire of Colorado's laws?

Then watched over them to make sure they were keeping their promise once they were sworn in.

Lawmakers who would take the time to go statewide and talk with all of our cops, district attorneys, judges.

Eliminate the myriad of gray areas and clean up laws that are causing so much angst and burden on our cities and towns.

Wonder what would happen?

"Stephen Minardi says he's done nothing wrong.

He says the 50 marijuana plants in his west Fort Collins home are there to treat legal patients who can't afford to buy from store-front medical marijuana centers.

Minardi, who, along with his wife, is facing felony charges of cultivation and distribution, said the criminal case makes them "look like massive Al Pacino drug dealers."

Fort Collins police have reason to doubt the Minardis' story. The day before Thanksgiving, they served a search warrant and confiscated processed marijuana and $3,400 cash at Minardi's home, where pictures of his wife and three children line the walls of the living room.

As dispensaries close, police worry about the rise of larger home-grow operations. They’re allowed under state law, but lawyers and law enforcement officials continue to deal with gray areas regarding how much a person can grow, and even what constitutes a plant.


The laws leave people like Stephen Minardi in a precarious position.
“I’m proud of what I do,” he said. “I take care of people....
(Robert Allen)

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 "Traffic Stop Nets Over $40K, Leads To Child Abuse"

'Fretterd':

"you know what's really stupid...knowing your transporting a federally illegal substance with a minor in the vehicle and SPEEDING!"

"EAGLE, Colo. -- Around 8:00 a.m. Sunday, a deputy with the Eagle County Sheriff's Office pulled over a rental car which was traveling close to 100 m.p.h. on I-70 outside of Eagle.

After searching the car, police say they seized over a pound of marijuana and more than $40,000 in cash.


According to police, the driver was identified as Erin Colove, 25, of Olathe. The passenger was Chase Esrich, 22, of Alton, MO. Police say the suspects admitted that the money had derived from previous drug transactions...."
(KJCT)

(Read more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 "Mesa County Drug Bust Nets 100 Pounds Of Marijuana"

Thank you to the Mesa County Sheriff's deputy that made this bust simply because he was an observant guy when he pulled them over.

"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- A drug bust in Mesa County led to the arrest of two people...."
(KJCT)

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SandBox Comments: KREX 5 "Father and Son Found With 49 Pounds of Pot"

"Mesa County - A father and son face a number of charges after an officer discovered 49 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle. 32-year-old Dionel Gutierrez and his father, 57-year-old Oscar Gutierrez, were arrested on I-70 near Mack when a Drug Task Force deputy noticed their SUV drifting on to the shoulder repeatedly...."
(Christina Marrazza)

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