March 5, 2007

ICE Agents, Local Law Enforcement Agencies Seize 19,000 Pounds of Marijuana
School buses were used in drug smuggling case

HOUSTON - Federal and local law enforcement officers seized more than 19,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $13 million yesterday inside two yellow school buses at a remote Southeast Houston location.

The participating law enforcement agencies included: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Harris County Sheriff's Department (HCSD), Houston Police Department (HPD) and Pasadena Police Department (PPD).

As part of an on-going investigation, ICE agents conducted surveillance at the remote Southeast Houston location over the weekend, and identified this area as an offloading and distribution site for large amounts of marijuana shipments illegally imported from the Southern border.

During the surveillance, ICE, CBP and other local law enforcement agencies observed numerous van, truck and vehicle traffic. Two yellow school buses were also used in this apparent drug-smuggling operation at the site.

When ICE, CBP and other law enforcement officers entered the area, they discovered several vehicles containing large amounts of marijuana inside. Overall, ICE agents and the other law enforcement officers seized more than 19,000 lbs (9½ tons) of marijuana, and seized many of the vehicles.

"This significant drug seizure exemplifies the professional teamwork among our local, state and federal law enforcement partners," said Robert Rutt, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Houston. "We work aggressively to keep drugs out of our communities, and to dismantle the criminal networks that profit from narcotics trafficking."

Two individuals were apprehended at the site and now face federal drug charges.

This is an ongoing ICE investigation.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

  Last Modified: