Teen Accused of Carrying Pot-Filled Cans

It didn't look quite right to federal agents when the high school student strolled into the U.S. border crossing while carrying six enormous cans of vegetables.

After agents took X-rays of one can, their suspicions were confirmed. It turned out the industrial-size containers of hominy and jalapeno peppers actually were stuffed with 25 pounds of marijuana, agents said.

The cans normally hold about 5 pounds of vegetables and are commonly used in food service and restaurants, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Roger Maier said.

The 17-year-old, a U.S. citizen who lives in Juarez, Mexico, had declared she was just bringing in some food, She was turned over to the El Paso County Sheriff's Department.

In all, CBP officers in El Paso, West Texas and New Mexico made 10 marijuana seizures totaling 805 pounds on Wednesday.

"These cases clearly illustrate that smuggling organizations will use any means imaginable in their attempts to introduce contraband into the United States," said Arthur Gonzales, acting CBP El Paso port director.