U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a 74-year-old Albuquerque man they say attempted to smuggle 172 pounds of marijuana across the El Paso port of entry.
The seizure was made Saturday at approximately 12:34 p.m. at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing when a 1989 Chevrolet Scottsdale 1500 pick-up was selected for inspection and CBP drug sniffing dog “Frankie” alerted to the gas tank of the vehicle.
CBP officers discovered two large compressed bales concealed in metal containers in the gas tank. The contents of the bales tested positive for marijuana.
CBP officers at the port arrested the driver, Alex Garcia of Albuquerque. He was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents to face federal charges including importation of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
He is currently detained without bond at the El Paso County Jail.
