EP MAN BUSTED WITH 5000 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA

LAS CRUCES -- An El Paso man is behind bars after the seizure of 4,910
pounds of marijuana by the Las Cruces-DoA1a Ana County Metro Narcotics
Agency.

The marijuana has a street value $6 million, the largest bust in the
agency's history, an official said.

"The seizure was part of a three-to five-week-long undercover
investigation," Sgt. Joseph Gonzales said.

El Pasoan Arturo Flores, 49, was arrested Thursday at 336 Paseo Real
in Chaparral, N.M.

Inside the residence and a 1998 Chevy panel truck that Flores was
driving, agents found the marijuana in shrink-wrapped bags inside 125
boxes, Gonzales said.

Gonzales said agents were still investigating where the marijuana came
from and where it was headed.

Flores was charged with possession with intent to distribute a
controlled substance, a second-degree felony.

He was booked into the DoA1a Ana County Detention Center and held in
lieu of a $100,000 cash-only bond.

Gonzales said it was the largest bust for Metro Narcotics since 2,800
pounds of marijuana was seized five
years ago in Santa Teresa.

"It's the largest I can remember from any agency in the area,"
Gonzales said.

Anyone with information on suspected illegal drug activity may call
the Metro Narcotics tip line at 521-3784.