DRUG SEIZURES REPORTED UP ALONG BORDER

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) The U.S. Customs Service has reported record high drug
seizures for the fifth year in a row at West Texas and New Mexico ports of
entry.

Drug seizures have tripled at area ports over the last five years, according
to statistics released last week by the Customs Service.

Agents working in ports in West Texas and New Mexico seized more than
308,952 pounds of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana since
September 1999. Last year they seized 268,772 pounds.

The agency also reported a record number of arrests and indictments. There
were 2,360 arrests and 1,312 indictments this year.

U.S. Customs officials cannot estimate the amount of drugs imported into the
country every year, spokesman Roger Maier said. "We don't know the universe,
we just know what we catch," he said.

The high number of seizures may not reflect an increase in arrests but
rather a 20 percent increase in staffing over the past five years, he said.
In 1995, more than 100 positions were added in the region.

"It's really given agents the flexibility to do more enforcement
activities," Mr. Maier said.

Technological advances, such as X-ray units capable of quickly inspecting
commercial trucks, have also contributed to the increase, he said.

Nationally, seizures for most drugs are up, Mr. Maier said.