On March 16, Laredo North agents assigned to the Border Patrol Checkpoint located on Interstate Highway 35 encountered a White tractor-trailer driven by Miguel Angel Escamilla, a 31-year old male, United States Citizen from Laredo at the primary inspection lane.
As the driver was being questioned as to his citizenship, a service canine alerted to the trailer and was referred for further inspection.
Agents utilized non-intrusive detection technology that revealed anomalies in the cargo area. The cargo contained cardboard boxes filled with plastic bottle sprayers, microwave ovens and other miscellaneous items. After conducting a physical inspection of the anomalies within the cardboard boxes, agents discovered several bundles wrapped in clear cellophane containing a green leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana. A total of 223 bundles were removed from the cargo area. The pot weighed 5,459 pounds and has a street value of $4,367,200.
The narcotics, vehicle and subject were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
