NOGALES, Ariz - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers inspecting commercial imports at the Nogales port of entry got just what they wanted when they chose a shipment of honeydew melons for inspection, seizing more than 2,300 pounds of marijuana hidden among the pallets of fruit.

At around noon yesterday, CBP officers screening commercial imports for contraband chose a 1998 Freightliner tractor and trailer for further inspection and sent the vehicle for an examination using the vehicle x-ray system.

When officers examining the results noticed anomalies in the images, they decided to open the trailer and unload the produce. Officers then discovered 300 packages of marijuana hidden among the pallets of honeydew melons.

The driver, a 58-year-old man from Nogales, Sonora, was arrested. When the CBP officers found that he was a participant in the Free And Secure Trade (FAST) program, his membership was immediately revoked. The marijuana, tractor, and trailer were all seized.

Estimated value of the narcotics is between $2.3 million (bulk) and $7.3 million (street).

The FAST (Free And Secure Trade) program is designed to give registered travelers bringing imports into the country expedited processing, but also carries great responsibility for the traveler. Because of the trust and confidence placed in the program participant, U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes every effort to see violators prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Office of Field Operations is responsible for operations at the ports of entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers' primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States.

Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.