U.S. CUSTOMS FINDS 13 PEOPLE WITH MARIJUANA TAPED TO THEIR BODIES

When U.S. Customs Service inspectors checked out the baggy clothing of 13
people entering the United States from Mexico, they found more than 225
pounds of marijuana taped to their bodies.

The bust Wednesday night was one in a series over two days in West Texas
that netted 3,691 pounds of marijuana and 234 pounds of cocaine.

The 13 people were riding in two vehicles and were taken into custody on
suspicion of drug smuggling along with two drivers who weren't carrying any
marijuana on their bodies.

"It was a bold smuggling attempt, but not a bright one," customs spokesman
Roger Maier said Thursday.

The inspectors found the drugs about 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Fabens port of
entry when two vehicles were stopped for a routine check and the occupants
were asked to get out of the vehicles.

The passengers had noticeable bulges on their bodies and legs, Maier said.
The marijuana bundles were secured with duct tape and the person with the
heaviest load was carrying about 26 pounds of marijuana.

Also on Wednesday, customs inspectors at the El Paso port of entry seized
3,466 pounds of marijuana and arrested two men after finding the marijuana
hidden in a tour bus entering from Mexico.

Inspectors found the marijuana shortly after 5 a.m. in the rear wall of the
bus, which had the band name "Banda Zorro" painted on the side. The drugs
were detected by a drug-sniffing dog.

Both men were from Mexico and are being charged with drug smuggling and
intent to distribute a controlled substance.

On Tuesday, customs inspectors found more than 234 pounds of cocaine in a
tractor-trailer rig entering the United States at the Presidio port of entry.

Inspectors searching the cab of the tractor found the drugs behind a trap
door on a carpeted engine cover.

The driver, who is from Mexico, was arrested.