GUARDSMEN HELP INS AT BRIDGES

Soldiers Will Assist With Checks Until More Inspectors Arrive

National Guard troops on Thursday began helping patrol El Paso's
international bridges and assisting the Immigration and
Naturalization Service with inspections.

The unarmed soldiers, who are trained in drug interdiction, will
remain at the bridges until 50 new INS inspectors report for duty in
late summer, said Ray Adams, INS deputy district director in El Paso.

"The primary mission of the National Guard is to increase security at
the border," Adams said. "They will work directly with armed INS
inspectors."

For security reasons, Adams said, the INS could not disclose how many
soldiers are assigned to bridge duties. He did say they will be on
hand around the clock.

On Thursday, the soldiers at the Paso del Norte Bridge helped check
the exteriors and interiors of vehicles as INS inspectors checked the
immigration documents of people traveling from Juarez to El Paso. The
soldiers walked down the line to direct traffic and look for any
suspicious activity or cargo.

"We're also hoping this helps move the lines a little faster," INS
Paso del Norte Port Director Isabel Mullens said. "The National Guard
will be of great assistance to us."

During the news conference to announce the National Guard's role with
INS, a drug-sniffing dog alerted U.S. Customs Service officers to a
pickup in an INS inspection lane that might have marijuana in the
tires.

The truck was directed to the canopy area, where it was checked more
closely for illegal drugs.

U.S. Customs spokesman Roger Maier said that as of Thursday
afternoon, customs had conducted three marijuana seizures at the Paso
del Norte Bridge. Three people were arrested in connection with the
busts.

On Wednesday, bridge officials reported seven marijuana interdictions
at border crossings -- three at Paso del Norte and four at Santa
Teresa.

"Fifty-one percent of the drug seizures at the bridges are the result
of INS referrals," INS spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said. "An INS
inspector will note a suspicious vehicle or a driver acting
nervously, and he or she will refer the vehicle to a secondary
inspection, lane where they detect drugs or other contraband."

U.S. officials credit stepped-up border inspections for record drug seizures.