U.S. Border Patrol agents seized nearly 1,500 pounds of marijuana at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint after authorities said a shipment labeled “NON-MARIJUANA” tested positive for the drug.
According to U.S. Border Patrol, a K-9 alerted agents to the shipment during an inspection at the checkpoint. A subsequent field test indicated the substance was marijuana.
Agents seized 1,484 pounds of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes, according to the agency. Border Patrol estimated the shipment’s street value at more than $1 million.
Photos released by the agency show dozens of cardboard boxes stacked inside a cargo van and later stored at a Border Patrol facility.
“A drug is a drug, regardless of how it’s labeled, packaged, or disguised,” Border Patrol said in announcing the seizure. “We will identify it and seize it.”
The Sierra Blanca checkpoint is operated by the U.S. Border Patrol’s Big Bend Sector in Hudspeth County along Interstate 10, east of El Paso.
