AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED AT THE BORDER DECLINES

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The amount of drugs seized at the California border fell
for the first time in four years, reflecting a post-Sept. 11 security
crackdown and stepped-up enforcement in Colombia and Mexico, authorities
said Friday.

U.S. Customs Service inspectors have seized 158 tons of heroin, cocaine,
marijuana and methamphetamines over the past 12 months. A year ago, the
total was more than 244 tons.

While the amount of drugs seized represents only a fraction of the illegal
narcotics entering the country from Mexico, it serves as an indicator of
the success of U.S. interdiction efforts, according to the Drug Enforcement
Administration.