They are just some of the dozens of items recently seized by U.S. Customs Service officers that are being put up for bid at the next U.S Department of Treasury auction in El Paso. The media is invited to attend this interesting news event. Many of the items included in the auction are vehicles that U.S. Customs Service officers have seized from drug smugglers. More than 140 vehicles, many in which Customs officers found hidden drug loads, will be sold. Included in the inventory are a 1993 Lexus, a 1991 Lincoln Towncar, a 1996 Ford Ranger XLT, and a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban.
Car parts are also up for sale.
Along with 48 V6 Ford engines for 1999 Explorers, interested buyers can also bid on clutch and alternator parts, brakes and wheels. Many of the items on the auction block are the result of the escalating number of drug seizures Customs officers are making in the El Paso area. In the first seven months of fiscal year 1999, area Customs officers have seized 158,004 pounds of marijuana compared to 128,339 pounds during the first seven months of fiscal year 1998. 1999 area Customs officers have seized 5,394 pounds of cocaine, up from the 1,006 pounds seized during the same time last years. The most recent example of the escalating drug enforcement activity occurred this week.