Union Pacific faces pending railcar forfeitures

A battle over railroad cars has the federal government threatening to sue one of America's leading raildroad companies.

Union Pacific, the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico is in trouble with the feds.

Court documents filed in U.S. District Court show in March, April, June and Auguest of last year, Customs and Border Protection confiscated hundreds of pounds of marijuana out of nine Union Pacific railcars. All were coming from Mexico into Nogales, Arizona.

According to court filings, most of the drugs were found in hidden compartments.

Following these incidents, the United States government has asked Union Pacific to forfeit those railcars. Claiming it is their responsibility to keep drugs off their trains.

News 4 contacted both parties involved, but neither Union Pacific or the Attorney's Office would comment on the pending forfeitures.

There's no word on whether or not Union Pacific will give up their railcars.