News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2002

TO ALL EL PASO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

Special Agent in Charge Sandalio Gonzalez of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), El Paso Field Division announced that a formal press conference would be held on May 31, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. at the Federal Justice Center, 660 Mesa Hills, Suite 2000, El Paso, Texas. This press conference will be co-hosted by the El Paso Sheriff's Office. Special Agent in Charge Gonzalez will present the El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego, two checks totaling approximately $700,000 dollars.

In November of 2000, a joint criminal investigation by the El Paso Sheriff's Department, US Border Patrol, the El Paso Police Department and DEA concluded with the arrests of nine defendants, seizure of approximately 37,000 pounds of marijuana and $1.233.800 U. S. currency. The money was subsequently forfeited under a federal forfeiture law, which allows for the sharing of forfeited assets with state and local law enforcement agencies.

"This investigation led to the largest single seizure of marijuana since the establishment of the Federal Justice Center three years ago. It was a combined effort of hard work, extended surveillance, and drug agents exhausting every investigative lead they could develop, " said Gonzalez.

Any further inquires should be directed to Larry N. Holifield Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the El Paso Field Division at 915-832-6109.