BORDER PATROL POT SEIZURES UP SIGNIFICANTLY FIRST WEEK OF THIS MONTH

McALLEN -- U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley seized 188
percent more marijuana the first week of December this year compared to the
same period last year, according to figures from the agency.

Agents seized more than 20,600 pounds of marijuana throughout the Valley
from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8.

The largest seizure was more than 3,600 pounds and had an estimated street
value of $16.5 million. The drugs were found inside a trailer at the
checkpoint near Falfurrias.

"The government of Mexico is cutting down on trafficking and they're doing
an excellent job," said Border Patrol spokesman John Lopez, explaining the
increase in confiscated marijuana. "It's also a result of increased efforts
by federal, state and local agencies."

Officers carried out 57 seizures the first week of this month, a 155
percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.

From fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2008, however, the number of
marijuana seizures decreased about 10 percent. Border Patrol fiscal years
run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

Lopez said the dramatic increase in seizures this month is likely a result
of drug dealers trying to liquidate big marijuana stashes in Mexico by
smuggling loads into the United States instead of risking getting caught
with massive quantities of drugs in stash houses.

"They want to push the drugs in (to the United States)," Lopez said.

Nationally, the Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley Sector ranks third in
marijuana seizures and first in cocaine seizures, the agency reports.

Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor.