High-Tech X-Ray Detectors Discover Drug Smuggling

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a drug smuggling attempt when they detected 640 pounds of marijuana with the aid of a high-tech X-ray machine.

On Jan. 26 at approximately 2:30 p.m., CBP officers were utilizing a high-tech X-ray machine to screen commercial trucks coming from Mexico. While screening a 2001 Freightliner the officers noticed an anomaly in one of the X-ray scans. The vehicle was driven by a 42-year-old man who was identified as a U.S. citizen and resident of Douglas, Ariz.

With the assistance of a narcotics detection K-9 team, the CBP officers investigated the cause of the anomaly and discovered large packages of marijuana concealed in the double back wall of the Freightliner. The total weight of marijuana was 640 pounds with an estimated value of $291,000.

CBP officers seized the vehicle and the marijuana. The man was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.