Agents crackdown on commuter lane drug smugglers

El Paso Times ^ | Dec 13, 2002 | Diana Washington Valdez

[FITZ]

A drug-sniffing dog alerted U.S. inspectors to suspected drugs in a vehicle at the Stanton Street Dedicated Commuter Lane while federal officials conducted a news conference Friday on the recent rash of drug busts at the “express lane.”

“It’s an anomaly,” said Victor Jimenez, El Paso INS acting assistant district director for inspections.

U.S. Customs Service officers contacted investigators about the alert, and escorted the driver of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder with Texas plates to an adjacent office. Agents proceeded to take apart the vehicle carrying marijuana.

Minutes before, U.S. customs Port Director David Longoria had announced that U.S. bridge inspectors planned to use K-9 units more often at the Dedicated Commuter Lane, because “we’ve had a rash of drug seizures here recently.”

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com

Full story in tomorrow's El Paso Times

[FITZ]

This should have come as no surprise to anyone. Of course the drug smugglers would find it convenient to get the swipe cards that lets them come in and out of the country without being checked. These cards would be nice for terrorists too obviously.

[Fish out of Water]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Cup of Joe]

Close all of the borders!

[FITZ]

The commuter lanes have been a way to keep the borders very open, for a few hundred dollars, someone could buy an electronic swipe card that lets them into the US easily and quickly, they don't have to be inspected which slows traffic down considerably. It works like a parking lot swipe card. Ideal for people living in Mexico who want to work or study in the USA, also ideal for drug runners but no one apparently thought about that. Hopefully terrorists didn't think to buy these cards but I wouldn't count on it.

[Wolfie]

“It’s an anomaly,” said Victor Jimenez, El Paso INS acting assistant district director for inspections.

I'll say. Most of the stuff gets through undetected.

[FITZ]

The commuter lanes are an obvious for drug smugglers ---for $400 they can get an electronic swipe card that lets them go back and forth without being checked and they don't need to have any wait coming over. It's pretty clear that someone coming from Mexico only to shop at Walmart for the day isn't going to come up with $400 to buy this easy entry into the US.

[you have no clue]

YOU have no clue what you ate talking about, did no one ever teach you about NOT generalizing???? And yes there are people that pay $400 to have the quick card to go to wal-mart. Something you can not relate maybe?? can afford it??? I thought so