Laredo, Texas –U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry on Monday stopped 27 pounds of cocaine from being smuggled into the country inside the cab of a commercial tractor at World Trade Bridge . 

CBP officers at the World Trade Bridge manning the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lane encountered a 1994 Freightliner tractor driven by a 33-year-old Mexican national from Nuevo Laredo , Tamaulipas , Mexico . The FAST registered driver presented documentation for a legitimate commercial shipment of televisions that was being pulled by the tractor he was operating. CBP officers referred the tractor trailer for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the tractor and trailer that led to the discovery of 10 bundles of alleged cocaine weighing approximately 27 pounds within the tractor. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $864,000.

 CBP officers seized the cocaine and the tractor. The driver was turned over by CBP officers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) agents for further investigation. 

 The FAST program is one of CBP’s trusted traveler programs. Travelers who participate in the Free and Secure Trade program are afforded expedited processing when crossing the border. As a participant in these Registered Travelers programs, these travelers are bestowed with a higher level of trust and confidence in regards to security when crossing the border. Because of this higher level of trust and confidence that has been bestowed on participants, violations of this trust will not be tolerated. Violations will result in the prosecution of the violator to the fullest extent of the law. 

 “FAST program participants are entrusted as low-risk travelers,” said Sidney K. Aki, Port Director, Laredo Port of Entry. “This driver violated that trust and attempted to bring illegal drugs into the country. CBP officers remain poised in their enforcement at all international crossings to ensure that checks and balances, especially at trusted traveler lanes, are in place. This significant amount of narcotics intercepted is a testament to the fact that the system works.”

(LAREDO, TEXAS) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry on Thursday apprehended an East Texas man wanted on an outstanding warrant for sexual assault in Montgomery County , Texas . The apprehension occurred on Jan. 26 2011 at Gateway to the Americas Bridge . A CBP officer referred a Dodge Ram pickup driven by Danny Ray Rancher, a 56-year-old male U.S. citizen from Willis , Texas for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers verified Rancher’s identity and confirmed he had an outstanding state warrant from Montgomery County , Texas for sexual assault.

After confirming the warrant was active, CBP officers turned Rancher over to the custody of Webb County sheriff’s deputies for transport to a local jail pending extradition proceedings. “Our frontline CBP officers maintain a constant state of readiness and their vigilance led to the arrest of a man wanted on sexual assault charges. Fugitive apprehension is an important part of the work our officers do on a daily basis to keep our borders secure,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Port Director, Laredo .

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 

DEL RIO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry on Monday seized alleged marijuana valued at $74,000 hidden in a vehicle driven by a local woman.   

 The seizure occurred on Jan. 23 at the Del Rio International Bridge . A CBP officer referred a 2003 Ford Taurus driven by a 45-year-old female U.S. citizen from Del Rio for a secondary examination. In secondary, CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the vehicle and discovered discrepancies in the dashboard area. Further examination revealed 64 packages hidden throughout the vehicle containing a total of 74 pounds of alleged marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $74,000. 

 CBP officers turned over the driver to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

 “This is a significant narcotics seizure and it reflects the perseverance and dedication of our frontline officers to apply their experience, training, canines and high tech tools to keep our borders safe,” said Michael Perez, CBP Port Director, Del Rio . “Stopping narcotics loads of any size is all part of a day’s work for our CBP officers at the port.”  

Courtesy Richard Pauza, 

LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at the Laredo Port of Entry recently intercepted a significant amount of possible cattle fever ticks found on an imported trophy deer hide.

 On Jan. 8, 2012 a CBP officer at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge referred a driver of a Chevy pickup truck to secondary examination after he declared a trophy deer hide originating from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. A CBP agriculture specialist conducted an examination and discovered 23 live ticks on the hide.

 A U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist identified the pest as Boophilus sp., which includes cattle fever tick, a pest of quarantine significance in cattle.

 CBP refused entry of the hide. The hunter abandoned the hide for destruction.     

 Imported trophy deer hides must be free of live or dead ticks. Hides must be treated chemically or be frozen to ensure elimination of these pests.

 “This is the largest amount of fever ticks that our agriculture specialists have found on a single deer hide this season,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Port Director, Laredo . “Stopping fever ticks at the border illustrates the crucial role CBP agriculture specialists play in protecting American agriculture and livestock and preventing possible adverse impact to the U.S. cattle industry.”  

 SOUTH TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists at eight South Texas ports of entry seized a significant amount of narcotics, currency, false documents, and uncovered numerous immigration violations during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012. Fiscal Year 2012 began October 1, 2011 and the first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011.  

 CBP officers at eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville to Del Rio in the first quarter of FY 2012 seized 32,472 pounds of narcotics that carried an estimated street value of nearly $74 million. Specifically they seized 31,054 pounds of marijuana, 942 pounds of cocaine, 414 pounds of methamphetamine, 62 pounds of heroin, $2.1 million in undeclared currency, five firearms and 12,640 rounds of ammunition.

 South Texas CBP officers in the first quarter of FY 2012 determined that a total of 6,147 non-U.S. citizens were inadmissible to the U.S. due to violations of immigration law.

 They made those interceptions while processing 647,000 commercial trucks, 4.7 million privately-owned vehicles, nearly 13 million passengers and pedestrians and 18,168 commercial buses at the ports over the same period.

 “Our frontline CBP officers put forth a strong effort in seizing significant amounts of narcotics, unreported currency, weapons and uncovering immigration violations while processing a significant amount of passenger and commercial traffic,” said Gene Garza, Director, Field Operations, Laredo Field Office. “Their utilization of their training, tools, technology and inspections experience was highly instrumental in achieving our enforcement results in the first quarter of FY 2012.”

 Laredo, Texas – The Import Specialist Enforcement Team (ISET) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Laredo Port of Entry targeted and seized 18,000 items, including digital camcorders with memory cards and car radios and parts that infringed on the Secure Digital or “SD” registered trademark valued at over $782,000 in two separate trademark enforcement actions. 

In the first enforcement action, CBP import specialists from the Laredo ISET team targeted a manifested shipment of 15,000 items, including digital camcorders with memory cards, for an enforcement examination. CBP import specialists and officers conducted an examination at World Trade Bridge and discovered possible infringement on the SD trademark, which is trademark recorded with CBP. A determination was made that the camcorders bearing the SD trademark did not have the required legal authorization needed for the use of the SD trademark and the shipment was detained pending trademark infringement verification.  CBP later determined the merchandise to be counterfeit and seized it.

In a second case, CBP import specialists from the Laredo ISET team targeted and detained a shipment containing more than 3,000 items, including CD players, MP3 players and spare parts (face plates, remote controls, connectors, brackets and integrated circuits) which also lacked the required documentation for the use of the SD recorded trademark. Trademark infringement verification by CBP revealed the merchandise to be counterfeit. All merchandise was seized.

The combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of both shipments, had the trademarks been genuine, is more than $782,000.

CBP’s vigilant enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights protects America ’s businesses against the threat of unfair and illicit competition from foreign companies and prevents goods that may be dangerous to consumers or national security from entering the United States .  

 “CBP’s Import Specialist Enforcement Team and CBP Officers detained and seized two significant shipments of goods that infringed on the SD trademark. Their astute targeting and vital work protects American consumers from potentially substandard merchandise infringing on legitimate trademarks,” said Sidney Aki, CBP port director, Laredo Port of Entry.

 The Department of Homeland Security’s recent annual report on IPR seizure statistics documents the increasing illicit activity that CBP faces every day in the ports. In fiscal year 2011, DHS made 24,792 seizures with an MSRP of $1.1 billion. Goods from China accounted for 62 percent of all the goods seized and the number of potentially dangerous goods seized increased by 40 percent in fiscal year 2011 over fiscal year 2010.

 WASHINGTON – Theft of American intellectual property is a serious crime, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced today that their vigorous, ongoing efforts to protect America from the trade in counterfeit and pirated goods during fiscal year (FY) 2011 resulted in 24,792 seizures, a 24 percent increase over 2010.

 Many fake goods seriously threaten the health and safety of American consumers and our national security.  With this in mind, CBP and ICE continued to step up enforcement against these dangerous products resulting in a 44 percent increase in the number of seizures of health and safety products that could have harmed Americans.  The value of these seizures soared to more than $60 million due to increases in pharmaceutical and perfume seizures. 

 Despite the significant increase in the number of seizures, the domestic value for seizures in fiscal year 2011 decreased by five percent to $178.9 million and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price declined slightly to $1.1 billion.  This is primarily due to a shift toward using international mail, express courier, and consolidated shipping services to import counterfeit and pirated goods.

 “The growth of websites selling counterfeit goods directly to consumers is one reason why CBP and ICE have seen a significant increase in the number of seizures at mail and express courier facilities,” said Acting CBP Commissioner David V. Aguilar.  “Although these websites may have low prices, what they do not tell consumers is that the true costs to our nation and consumers include lost jobs, stolen business profits, threats to our national security, and a serious risk of injury to consumers.”

 “I’m very proud of the unrelenting efforts of the ICE-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and our law enforcement partners,” said ICE Director John Morton.  “IP enforcement is a high priority for ICE and CBP because the trade in counterfeit and pirated goods robs Americans of jobs and puts their safety at risk, costs legitimate businesses billions of dollars in revenue, and fuels criminal activity. In fiscal year 2012, ICE and CBP will continue to focus on keeping these goods off the streets and bring those responsible for producing and distributing them to justice.”

 China continues to be the number one source country for counterfeit and pirated goods seized, accounting for 62 percent or $124.7 million of the total domestic value of seizures.

 For the first time since FY 2005, footwear was not the top commodity seized in fiscal year 2011.  Consumer electronics were the top commodity seized, and approximately one-third of this category was represented by IPR infringing cellular phones. 

 The top 10 categories of IPR-infringing products seized were pharmaceuticals, health/personal care, eyewear/parts, critical technology components, electronic articles, cigarettes, perfumes/colognes, batteries, exercise equipment and transportation/parts.

 As the federal agency responsible for the management, control and protection of U.S. borders, CBP is on the frontline of IPR enforcement.  The men and women of CBP protect our nation’s economy, the safety of its people, and our national security against harm from counterfeit and pirated goods.  The continued vigilance of CBP personnel protects United States citizens and businesses every day.

 As the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) plays a leading role in targeting criminal organizations responsible for producing, smuggling, and distributing counterfeit products.  ICE HSI focuses not only on keeping counterfeit products off our streets, but also on dismantling the criminal organizations behind such illicit activity.

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center ( IPR Center ) is one of the U.S. government’s key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. The IPR Center uses the expertise of its 19 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions, and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public’s health and safety, the U.S. economy and the war fighters.

To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center , visit www.IPRCenter.gov.

The annual IPR seizure report is now available on the CBP and ICE web sites.

 LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry this weekend seized $305,967 in undeclared currency during a routine outbound examination.   The currency seizure occurred on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge . CBP officers and agents conducting outbound examinations referred a 2006 Acura TL driven by a 19-year-old U.S. citizen from Laredo , Texas for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the vehicle and discovered 41 bundles hidden within the vehicle containing a total of $305,967 in undeclared currency.  

 CBP officers seized the currency and turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.  

“This is a significant seizure and it underscores the importance of outbound enforcement operations in interdicting large quantities of undeclared currency,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Port Director, Laredo . “Seizures such as these help keep our borders safe and secure.”

  Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U.S. However, if the quantity is $10,000 or higher, they must formally report the currency to CBP. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection has compiled its list of top 10 seizures of 2011. This list illustrates the important role CBP’s officers and agents play in protecting the nation against unsafe and unfair products as well as intercepting smuggling attempts along the nation’s borders and ports of entry. These seizures represent the largest and most unique items seized across the country in 2011. Click on the below stories for information about these top 10 seizures and more.

• CBP officers conducting southbound operations in El Paso , Texas , stopped a Mexican national from leaving the country with $420,440 in undeclared cash hidden within the seats of his vehicle. ( CBP Seizes in Excess of $400,000 in Undeclared Currency )
• Outbound inspections led to the seizure of rifles, shotgun, pistol, assorted magazines and rounds of ammunition from a vehicle driven by a Ft. Worth, Texas , woman. ( Largest Weapons Seizure to Date by CBP Officers at Del Rio Port )
• Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector, with the help of CBP’s Office of Air and Marine, seized $8.5 million in drugs within 48 hours. ( CBP U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $8.5 Million in Drugs within 48 Hours )
• Counterfeit computer networking equipment labeled with Cisco Systems’ trademark was seized in the Washington , D.C. area by CBP personnel using detective work and financial analysis. ( CBP Shuts Down Electronics Counterfeiting Conspiracy )
• Over one weekend, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized nearly 2.5 tons of marijuana and 80 ammunition magazines, several which were fully loaded. ( Agents in Texas Seize Ammunition, Nearly 2.5 Tons of Marijuana )
• CBP officers at an air cargo consignment facility at Los Angeles International Airport seized 1.5 tons of methamphetamine chemicals arriving from China with a destination in Illinois . ( 1.5 Tons of Meth Precursors Seized by CBP Officers at LAX )
• CBP agricultural specialists at Los Angeles International Airport halted attempts by two Japanese nationals to smuggle 55 exotic reptiles concealed in cookie boxes. ( 55 Live Turtles Found in Passenger’s Luggage at LAX )
• CBP officers and import specialists assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport discovered and seized 30,300 pairs of counterfeit sunglasses in the violation of the Lacoste trademark in a shipment arriving from China. ( CBP Seizes $4.5 Million in Fake ‘Lacoste’ Sunglasses )
• CBP officers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport seized children’s pajamas that were in violation of the Paul Frank trademark in a shipment arriving from Indonesia . ( Nearly 15,000 Kid’s Pajamas Seized at LA/Long Beach Seaport )
• A CBP maritime patrol vessel intercepted a boat with 10 bales of cocaine, totaling 661 pounds, about 50 miles north of the coast of Aguadilla , P.R. The drugs’ value was estimated at $6.3 million. ( CBP Intercepts Vessel with 300 Kilos of Cocaine )

In fiscal year 2011, CBP seized nearly five million pounds of narcotics and more than $126 million in undeclared currency. CBP processed nearly $2.3 trillion in trade and more than 340 million travelers and 24.3 million containers through our nation’s ports of entry. CBP officers conducted more than 24,800 seizures of violations of intellectual property rights.

Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 

 SOUTH TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists at eight South Texas ports of entry seized a significant amount of narcotics, currency, false documents, and uncovered numerous immigration and agricultural violations during fiscal year 2011. Fiscal Year 2011 began October 1, 2010 and ended Sept. 30, 2011.  

 CBP officers at eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville to Del Rio in FY 2011 seized 157,119 pounds of narcotics that carried an estimated street value of nearly $404 million. Specifically they seized nearly 150,000 pounds of marijuana, 5,465 pounds of cocaine, 1,017 pounds of methamphetamine, up 34 percent over FY 10, nearly 636 pounds of heroin, up 16 percent over FY 10, $13.3 million in undeclared currency, 258 firearms and 51,291 rounds of ammunition. Weapons seizures alone soared 132 percent over FY 10 totals. They made those interceptions while processing 2.5 million commercial trucks, 19.3 million privately-owned vehicles, 49.8 million passengers and pedestrians and 73,036 commercial buses at the ports over the same period.

 South Texas CBP officers in FY 2011 determined that a total of 25,901 non-U.S. citizens were inadmissible to the U.S. due to violations of immigration law. CBP officers and agriculture specialists in FY 2011 intercepted a total of 13,643 pests.  They also made 29,719 interceptions of quarantined animal materials. CBP in South Texas also tallied 110,727 interceptions of quarantined plant materials in FY 2011.

 “I am proud of the hard work put forth by our frontline CBP officers, import specialists and agriculture specialists in FY 2011, particularly the significant percentage increases in firearms and hard narcotics seizures including methamphetamine and heroin,” said Gene Garza, Director, Field Operations, Laredo Field Office. “More than doubling the number of weapons seized over the previous fiscal year shows the true force multiplier effect of having Border Patrol agents and state and local officers working side by side with our CBP officers in the outbound environment.”