DRUG INFLUX ON BORDER REPORTED

Drug traffickers appear to be taking advantage of the normal slow-down in
people movement across the border from Mexico this year by increasing the
number of marijuana shipments through the Del Rio area.

During a seven-day period that ended Monday, agents with the U.S. Border
Patrol seized more than a ton of marijuana, valued at about $2.1 million, in
five separate incidents.

The seizures brought November's total to more than 2 tons so far, which is
well above normal, said Carlton Jones, a spokesman for the Border Patrol
office in Del Rio.

"Other operations appear to be pushing (smugglers) into our area," Jones
said. "Our apprehensions are up 60 percent at a time when the number of
illegal aliens trying to get into our country is normally declining."

Jones explained Mexicans and Central Americans, who might normally attempt
to enter the United States illegally, will stay home for the holidays with
their families.

In addition, crackdowns by U.S. officials along other sections of the border
in programs such as Operation Rio Grande could be diverting illegal activity
to the Del Rio section, he said.

"That probably means we will be catching more drug smugglers," Jones said.

The recent marijuana seizures occurred from Dimmit County up through Val
Verde County, he said, listing the following incidents:

Nov. 16-Agents from the Eagle Pass station seized 891.5 pounds of marijuana,
valued at $713,160, about 18 miles east of Eagle Pass. No arrests were made.

Nov. 19-Eagle Pass agents seized 935.2 pounds of marijuana, valued at
$748,160, about 13 miles south of Eagle Pass. Officers confiscated a 1992
pickup truck and charged Rene Valdez-Casas of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, with
possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Saturday-Agents based in Del Rio seized 106 pounds of marijuana, valued at
$64,000, during a traffic stop on U.S. 277 about two miles south of Del Rio.
Charged with possession of marijuana was Jesus Alonso Moreno-De La Rosa of
Coahuila, Mexico.

Sunday-Eagle Pass officers seized 80 pounds of marijuana, valued at $64,000,
about 13 miles south of Eagle Pass on Farm Road 1021. Officers confiscated a
1987 pickup.

Monday-Agents from the Carrizo Springs station seized 713.8 pounds of
marijuana, valued at $571,040, and a 1991 pickup following a traffic stop on
Farm Road 1021 on the Cuevas Creek Bridge near El Indio.

"The peak harvesting period (for marijuana) is in October and November, so
we expect to see some higher number of arrests," Jones said. "This year
we've seen a steady increase throughout the year of about 25 percent."

Checked-by: Don Beck