COLUMBUS, N.M. - Customs & Border Protection officers made the largest drug seizure of the weekend at the Columbus, N.M. port of entry. Just over 390 pounds of marijuana was discovered, according to the CBP alert sent out Tuesday.

The seizure was made around 2:30 p.m. Saturday when Evelyn Perez Gardea, 22, of Denver, attempted to drive into the country. During inspection, drug-sniffing dog Domi alerted to the floor area of Gardea's 2003 Ford Explorer, where 252 tape-wrapped bundles were allegedly concealed in non-factory floor compartments, according to the CBP. Gardea and her passenger, 23-year-old Velia Lucero, from Aurora, Colo., were arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents. Both will face federal charges, including drug importation and drug possession with intent to distribute.

A total of 14 marijuana seizures were made over the weekend at all El Paso sector ports of entry, containing 1,686 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $3.9 million.

"These are outstanding seizures; the dedication and vigilance on the part of our frontline officers are what make these seizures possible," said Ana Hinojosa, CBP Director of Field Operations in El Paso.

CBP officers also recorded 29 immigration violations, including 11 impostors, and seven cases of people making false claims of U.S. citizenship or trying to enter with counterfeit documents. Four others were detained on outstanding arrest warrants.

Three seizures of agricultural


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items were also made, for importing prohibited oranges, pork lard and fresh eggs.