Battle against drug smuggling continues

LAREDO MORNING TIMES ^ | 01/01/2008 | CELINA ALVARADO

[SwinneySwitch]

Ongoing warfare with rival drug cartels across the border seemed to have quieted down this year, but the amount of drugs entering through the border and moving through the streets of Laredo – by any means possible - is ever-growing, officials said.Some 165 tons of narcotics, worth $140 million which failed to make their way through Laredo's four international bridges this fiscal year, is proof of this ever-growing trend.

That is how much marijuana, cocaine, meth and heroin Mucia Dovalina, chief CBP officer and uniformed public affairs liaison, said was intercepted from Oct. 1, 2006 to Sept. 30, 2007.

Finding the drugs was no easy feat. "I don't have any earthly idea how they do it, but they package the drugs very well," Dovalina said, noting that drugs have been found in the most unusual places.

"We've found drugs strapped on people's bodies, hidden within their shoe soles, inside religious statues - you name it, we've seen it," she said, adding drugs are often inserted into such things as car engines, tires, vehicle wall paneling, gas tanks and a multitude of other compartments.

Dovalina said the department saw 3,149 pounds of cocaine and 36,427 pounds of marijuana this year, which was "way higher" than last year.

However, other types of drugs rarely seen in the Gateway City have also threatened to take a foothold lately.

"Rarely do we see heroin - sometimes we go years without seeing heroin," Dovalina said, "but this year, and in fiscal year 2008, we're already seeing a rise of heroin."

Last fiscal year, the CBP encountered no heroin seizures at Laredo's four international bridges.

This year, however, agents intercepted 15 pounds of heroin in five seizures.

"It always comes in small loads and more often than not, it is hidden inside shoe soles," Dovalina said of the heroin busts.

Meth, another rare commodity, is also on the rise.

Last fiscal year, the department reported 44 pounds of meth seized; this year there were 101 pounds seized, she said.

It is not clear exactly how much of this illegal contraband manages to make its way past border checkpoints.

U.S. BORDER PATROL (Laredo Sector)

Greg Salinas, supervisory agent in charge of Public Affairs for the Border Patrol, said agents saw a 22,000-pound increase in marijuana this fiscal year versus what U.S. Border Patrol agents seized last fiscal year. In 2006, BP agents seized 113,000 pounds of marijuana; in 2007, that number increased to 135,000 pounds, he said.

Their largest seizure this year occurred Nov. 28 in Freer, he said, noting 5,450 pounds of marijuana was recovered from a tractor-trailer. Where the marijuana originated from was unclear, he said.

"We also saw a slight increase in cocaine apprehensions when it comes to pounds," Salinas said, explaining that compared to the 2,600 pounds of cocaine seized in 2006, 2007 saw a difference of about 100 pounds.

And though CBP reported an increase of heroin seizures at the bridges, Salinas said BP saw a decrease in this rare substance out in the field.

In 2006, Border Patrol agents seized 1,265.46 ounces of heroin; that number decreased to 353.44 in 2007.

BP agents also saw a significant decrease in Meth seizures – which are also rarely seen in Laredo, he said.

In 2006, BP seized 76.92 pounds of meth; this year that number decreased to 36.39 pounds.

Despite a decrease in several categories, the Southwest border region is still at the top of every drug-related category, he said, in seizures made.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police spokesman Jose E. Baeza said the Laredo Police Department recovered 47,055.041 pounds of marijuana this calendar year in the city. Cocaine was also seized in big numbers, raking in 2,432.822 pounds.

Police recovered no meth and a little more than 4.692 pounds of heroin.

A total of $2,632,615 in cash - thought to be drug-related proceeds - was also seized by this department this year.

These numbers include drugs seized on the street by narcotics investigators, patrolmen and by HIDTA.

The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area is a national drug control policy which targets high-risk areas in cities where drug trafficking is a problem, Baeza said.

CRIME STOPPERS

Also helping to take drugs off the streets is the successful Crime Stoppers program, under the direction of the Webb County Sheriff's Department.

The program alone helped seize 1,126 pounds of cocaine this calendar year, 156 grams of heroin, 607 vials of Ketamine and 12,748 pounds of marijuana, among other miscellaneous drugs, street valued at $16,757,456.

Ketamine, which marked the biggest drug increase in 2006 versus 2005, was also in high demand this year.

A date rape drug, Ketamine is an animal tranquilizer referred to as "Special K."

Among the biggest loads seized this year was a half-ton load of about 1,000 pounds of cocaine worth more than $9 million, intercepted in March.

Sheriff's deputies recovered the contraband from inside a Laredo home in the 5000 block of Moncayo Street, in the newly developed Vista Nueva subdivision.

The cocaine was seized along with 15 semi-automatic and automatic weapons, more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition and a couple of hundred gun magazines for various weapons.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Texas Rangers, the Department of Public Safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted Sheriff's deputies.

Marijuana, however, remains at the top of the list when it comes to drug demand.

This was the same in 2006, which raked in more than 70 tons of marijuana - including combined local and federal agencies.

"Our geographical area puts us in a spot where not only do we have a lot of commercial trade traffic but we also have a major inland port that makes it more convenient for them to smuggle their stuff through here," Capt. Ted Garcia said.

"Marijuana has always predominantly been the biggest contraband seized in Laredo and Webb County, but we have also noticed that within the last year and a half there has been a spike in cocaine," Garcia, of the Laredo Crime Stoppers program, said. "This is evident when you look at the numbers for all local and federal agencies.

"We are keeping up with the trend, and I think we have made a significant difference," he said, speaking for all of the law enforcement agencies.

He added the majority of busts made within the city and county limits have also been thanks to the community getting involved and keeping an eye on their surroundings.

(Celina Alvarado may be reached at 728-2566 or celina@lmtonline.com)

[SwinneySwitch]

Paging Glenn Beck!

[SwinneySwitch]

Los dos Laredos!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[devane617]

Legalize Marijuana now!!! Tax the %^$# out of it, and empty the jails. I had rather run across a stoner than a drunk any-day.

[SwinneySwitch]

I try to miss both!

Happy New Year!

[devane617]

It’s a dead give-away when driving down the street to get behind a car full of hippies eating Cheetoes and driving 20mph below the speed limit. Thay always seem to be having a good time though.

[coloradan]

They always seem to be having a good time though.

And let's face it, there is a powerful demographic in the country that simply can't allow that to happen.

[devane617]

Yep....

[mtbopfuyn]

"I don't have any earthly idea how they do it, but they package the drugs very well," Dovalina said

Duh, same places they've been hiding for the last half century, you idiot. Dovalina is either beyond stupid or is on the take, either way he needs his butt fired, pronto.

[secretagent]

Robust numbers. Lots of churn and jobs for everyone.

[glmjr]

MINUTE MEN of America

NRA of America

 We want to know.....what the hell are you waiting for?

Your endorsements could make the difference in the upcoming elections.  If you haven't noticed, you have the perfect candidate in the race.  The future of stopping illegal immigration and the individuals right to bear arms are at stake.  Failure to give your support to the right person could cost all freedom loving Americans dearly.  Your members want you to endorse a person that will stop illegal immigration and secure our rights to bear arms.  A true conservative is the only choice, no liberal republicans or democrats need apply.

Everyone needs to call NRA headquarters / Minute Men headquarters today and voice our opinions.  I have.

 

"When I am president, I will build a fence."

"My idea of gun control is a good, steady aim."