NEW YORK: About 2 tons of marijuana worth more than $3 million were seized here the other day at the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35.
The seizure occurred after agents assigned to the checkpoint encountered a tractor-trailer at the primary inspection lane. As the driver was being questioned, a service canine alerted agents to the trailer.
The vehicle was then directed to secondary inspection, during which a non-intrusive scanner revealed anomalies in the trailer, Border Patrol said. Upon further inspection of the trailer, agents said they discovered numerous cellophane wrapped bundles concealed inside cardboard boxes filled with Styrofoam cups.
The bundles tested positive for marijuana. A total of 380 bundles were removed from the trailer. The contraband weighed 4,174.83 pounds and has a street value of $3,339,864.
The narcotics, vehicle and driver were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Border Patrol did not identify the driver.
