Chicago CBP Officers Stop Drugs from Being Grown
(Monday, June 06, 2011)
Chicago, Ill. This weekend, Chicago Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers working at the International Mail Facility at OHare Airport seized almost one half of a pound of marijuana seeds coming in to this country from Europe.
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[TD="class: photo_caption"]A small sample of some of the marijuana seeds seized over the weekend by Chicago CBP officers.[/TD]
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Since last Friday evening, CBP officers have seized over 60 parcels containing marijuana seeds going to various locations throughout the United States. The majority have come from the Netherlands. The seed totals range from 0.5 grams to 20 grams. The shipments contain anywhere from 5 to 20 seeds concealed in everything from candy bars to documents.
It takes a keen eye to spot something as small as a marijuana seed on an x-ray, said David Murphy, CBP Director of Field Operations in Chicago. Our officers are very well trained, vigilant and dedicated to preventing any type of contraband from entering the United States, no matter how small it may be.
It is suspected that many of the seizures originated from internet orders through companies in the Netherlands who specialize in marijuana seeds. It is important to remember that marijuana seeds do fall under the Controlled Substance Act and it is a violation of federal law to import or cause to import. All the seeds will be destroyed and a Notice of Seizure will be sent to the recipient.
CBP officers and agriculture specialists are stationed at International Mail Facilities throughout the country in major cities. CBP is constantly screening arriving international mail and on the lookout for any type of contraband or prohibited items being shipped to the United States which can harm the community or may be used to harm the nation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.