El Paso CBP Officers Apprehend Attempted Murderer, Seize 600 Pounds of Marijuana in Jalapeno Shipment

January 15, 2010 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry apprehended a man yesterday afternoon who was being sought on attempted murder second degree, arson and aggravated assault charges in Jefferson Parish, La.

In addition to the fugitive apprehension, CBP officers at the El Paso port also made a 627 pound marijuana bust. “Our officers did an outstanding job in intercepting and confirming the identity of this dangerous criminal. CBP officers at the El Paso port of entry identify approximately two dozens wanted people every week because of our inspection process,” said William “Bill” Molaski”, U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso port director. “In addition to the fugitive apprehension, CBP officers continue to discover drugs in a variety of concealments. They have intercepted drugs in bags of dog food, stuffed animals and now co-mingled with fresh jalapenos.”

The fugitive apprehension was made at approximately 2:48 p.m. when 29-year-old Jason Michael Acosta entered the Paso Del Norte Bridge crossing from Mexico. Acosta told CBP officers he was wanted. CBP officers performed a query on Acosta and found that there was a National Crime Information Center warrant for the resident of Harvey, La. CBP officers took custody of Acosta and confirmed the warrant. El Paso Police officers took custody of Acosta.

The drug seizure was made at approximately 4:30 p.m. when a 1992 International tractor-trailer hauling a load of fresh jalapenos entered the Bridge of the Americas cargo facility from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a gamma-ray exam and identified several anomalies in the appearance of the shipment. The vehicle was moved to the inspection dock where CBP drug sniffing dog “Wizard” searched the shipment and alerted to the cargo. CBP officers inspected the boxes containing mesh bags filled with jalapenos and found numerous wrapped bundles at the bottom of the boxes concealed under the jalapeno bags. CBP officers removed a total of 550 marijuana-filled bundles from the shipment. The seized marijuana weighed 627 pounds. No arrests were made and the investigation is continuing.