United States Border Patrol agents seized several hundreds of pounds of cannabis in two separate incidents in New York and Texas last week.
On August 27, a pickup truck approached the primary vehicle inspection lane at the Interstate 35 checkpoint north of Laredo, Texas.
The vehicle was referred to a secondary inspection after a service canine alerted Border Patrol agents to the scent of concealed humans or narcotics inside.
During a search of the vehicle, agents discovered six bundles of cannabis weighing 145 pounds that were hidden in a toolbox in the bed of the truck.
The driver was identified as a U.S. citizen and arrested and processed accordingly.
The vehicle was also seized by Border Patrol and the cannabis, which was valued at $116,051, was to be handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
On August 28, Border Patrol agents from the Wellesley Island Station in New York conducted an operation with Homeland Security Investigations, Metro Jefferson County Drug Task Force, New York State Police, New York State Parks Police, and the Alexandria Bay Police Department.
After investigating suspicious activity at the Harbor Village Villas in the Village of Alexandria Bay, Border Patrol agents obtained a search warrant and a canine team for a residence located inside the community.
During the execution of the search warrant, the canine alerted agents to several locations on the property as well as a van that was parked outside.
Agents discovered a total of nine duffel bags containing more than 393 pounds of cannabis with an estimated street value of $314,400.
The Metro Jefferson County Drug Task Force and Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case.
