CUSTOMS SEIZES 895 TONS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS IN FISCAL YEAR 2001
U.S. Customs seized 1.79 million pounds of illicit drugs in its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, a 16-percent increase over the year-earlier period and almost double the amount seized four years ago.
'While anti-terrorism is now the number one priority for all U.S. Customs Service officers, the increased drug seizure numbers demonstrate the skill and determination of Customs employees in interdicting all types of contraband,' sad Robert Bonner, U.S. Customs commissioner.
The volume of heroin seized rose 41 percent to about 3,622 pounds, while cocaine volumes seized rose 287 percent to 190,856 pounds. Customs seized 1.5 million pounds of marijuana, an increase of 16 percent.