EX-CUSTOMS AGENT GETS MAXIMUM IN DRUG CASE

Former U.S. Customs agent Timothy Wade Davis, 38, has been sentenced to 71
months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Davis was handed the maximum sentence Monday in Del Rio by U.S. Judge Fred
Biery.

"The tenor of the sentencing was that he will not tolerate this from anyone
in law enforcement, in Eagle Pass or elsewhere," said Bill Reid, an
assistant U.S. attorney in Del Rio.

Davis was arrested in November 1997 in Eagle Pass in possession of 785
pounds of marijuana and a replica U.S. Customs badge. Authorities believe
he used the fake badge to aid him in smuggling drugs.

Davis worked with a canine inspection unit in Eagle Pass from 1991 to 1996,
when he retired due to a disability.

"He was involved with numerous co-conspirators in the Eagle Pass area, some
of whom pled guilty in this case, and some of whom pled guilty in related
cases," Reid said.

"He was a bad apple. He was telling the drug organizations with which he
dealt about the workings of the port of entry and how to avoid the
drug-sniffing dogs," Reid said.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski