ARIZONA KEY GATEWAY FOR POT

Arizona, already the country's main entry point for illegal
immigration, is gaining another dubious distinction: marijuana
smuggling gateway.

The Border Patrol said agents seized over 331 tons (662,650 pounds) of
marijuana worth $530 million last fiscal year, ending Sept. 30. That
set a record for the fifth straight year. It nearly equaled the 350
tons seized in California, Texas and New Mexico combined.

Now, Arizona is on a pace to set a new record. Since Oct. 1, agents
have seized over 106 tons, worth $170 million, nearly 20 tons more
than the same period the previous year.

Marijuana seizures typically spike in late fall, after the harvest in
Mexico, and a bumper crop this year means more pot to smuggle.

The record seizures indicate the Border Patrol, augmented by more
agents, and National Guard troops, are doing a better job of stopping
marijuana loads from getting through, officials said.

The size of some loads is staggering. On Dec. 6, agents seized an
estimated $4.2 million worth of pot crammed inside two pickups in Nogales.