Agents net biggest pot bust at port
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North County Times wire services
CALEXICO - In the largest marijuana bust ever at the Calexico port of entry, about 8.85 tons of suspected pot worth an estimated $67 million was seized, federal agents reported Saturday.
The contraband was seized Friday, co-mingled with shipments of flat panel television sets, said David de la Peza of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A tractor-trailer truck was in the Free and Secure Trade entry lane at about 4:20 p.m. when drug sniffing dogs alerted officers, de la Peza said.
Officers discovered 1,019 large packages containing 17,701 pounds of suspected pot among the TVs.
The accused smuggler is a 25-year-old Mexican and registered participant in the FAST program, he said.
FAST is an agreement between Mexico, Canada and the United States to expedite trade. "Low-risk" drivers must submit an application and agree to a security profile.
The cache and tractor-trailer were seized by federal agents, who booked the driver into the Imperial County jail.
Motel robbery suspects sought
North County Times wire services
SAN YSIDRO - Investigators were on the lookout Saturday for two men in their 20s who robbed a Super 8 Motel off Interstate 5 near the international boundary.
A clerk who was working at the motel told authorities that two robbers entered the hotel on Calle Primera at 6:36 p.m. and demanded money. They walked behind the counter and removed two cash drawers before fleeing the area.
No weapons were seen.
The robbers were described as Latino males in their 20s, 5-feet 10-inches tall wearing dark, hooded sweat shirts and baggy jeans.
Police chase leads to suicide
North County Times wire services
SAN DIEGO - Police chased a carjacked sedan into a Claremont Mesa neighborhood Saturday, and were chasing the car thief amongst houses when the man shot himself to death in a backyard.
San Diego Police said a shotgun-wielding man and an accomplice stole a black 2007 Chrysler 300 at gunpoint at about midnight Saturday in the 6200 block of Beadnell Way. One man, armed with a shotgun, demanded the keys and threatened to kidnap the owner before stealing the car.
About 45 minutes later, the men were spotted by police in the stolen Chrysler as it entered the Cabrillo (163) Freeway northbound at Friars Road . After a short pursuit, the car exited at Genesee Avenue, turned west and then turned left onto the first residential street west of the freeway.
After making another left turn onto Judson Street, the passenger bailed out of the moving vehicle, carrying the shotgun. He ran into the backyard of a house, where he shot himself in the head, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken into custody.
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Ken wrote on Nov 11, 2007 9:54 AM:About the Agents Bust, this is just another reason to close our borders, as well as NOT having the super highway from Mexico to Canada. I knew that if we allow Mexico trucks a clear or easier passage into the US, we would see just this, ILLEGAL DRUGS and next we will see ILLEGAL ALIENS use the trucks to gain access into the US. STOP the INVASION of ILLEGAL DRUGS and ILLEGAL ALIENS from crossing our southern border.
JV wrote on Nov 11, 2007 1:56 PM:At $450.00 LB Thats roughly 8 mil $ not $67 mil. South of the border sensationalism!!! Guess we'll just hand over that Billion $$$ in aid now.I say put some zeros behind that 8 tons Like 800 tons that probably slipped thru while they were getting their pictures taken for this publicity stunt.
jv wrote on Nov 11, 2007 5:02 PM:Exactly where did you get your prices? You a dealer? I think the release was accurate. And 67 million does not equal 1 billion...just a math observation, genious.
JV wrote on Nov 11, 2007 7:33 PM:The billion is what Bush has decided to give Mexico several days ago in AID To THE WAR ON DRUGS !!! GENIOUS jv !!
NoName wrote on Nov 11, 2007 10:31 PM:Prices on marijuana vary according to purity, quantity, place of origin and sale, and numerous market trends. Generally, depending on who you believe, a pound goes for around $2500 to about $4000, again depending on factors listed above. And JV what makes you think this was a publicity stunt? How about saying "Good Job" and "Keep it up!"
Adams wrote on Nov 13, 2007 2:01 PM:JV got it exactly right, 8 tons of mexican pot probably has a $450.00 - 550.00 dollar a lb price tag, on the street. the dealers are most likely getting an even better deal than that. It's all peanuts anyway, no one person is making millions on the deal. No name gets his pot from indoor growers and the war on drugs is a joke!
jk wrote on Apr 19, 2008 9:12 AM:In the Detroit area a lb goes for around $500-3000 depending on the quality/quanity
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