MILLIONS IN DRUGS SEIZED

For the third straight year, drug seizures by Texas Department of Public
Safety troopers on traffic patrol topped the $100 million mark.

According to 2002 statistics released this week by the Traffic Law
Enforcement Division, DPS troopers intercepted illegal drugs valued at
$123.8 million while on normal patrol duty.

Texas troopers have led the nation in highway drug seizures for the last
several years, officials said.

"Seizing drugs intended for someone's neighborhood is just one positive
byproduct of our normal patrol activities," said DPS Director Col. Thomas
A. Davis Jr.

"In addition to arresting drunk drivers and slowing down speeders, our
traffic patrols put drug smugglers, murderers and other criminals behind
bars-a big step forward in making Texas a safer place."

Some of the highlights in 2002:

* Heroin seizures of 86 pounds were a record for DPS troopers.

* The 1,780 drug arrests were the second highest in DPS history.

* Cocaine seizures topped one ton (2,202 pounds) worth an estimated $90.1
million.

* Troopers also confiscated more than 25 tons (50,908 pounds) of marijuana.

All totaled, this year's drug seizures rank fourth in DPS history.

DPS troopers arrested more than 17,000 people for a variety of criminal
violations, ranging from homicide to auto theft.