Sonoma County police seized more than $400,000 and 328 pounds of marijuana during a fall campaign to stop drug traffickers on Highway 101 during the outdoor marijuana harvest.

Local law enforcement officials are expected to announce today a countywide policy of accepting Mexican consular ID cards as a valid form of identification. Such a move would could keep some illegal immigrants from landing in jail, where they most likely would be flagged by federal immigration officials.

Sonoma County activists are decrying the impound policy at police DUI checkpoints, saying the loss of cars creates undue hardship for illegal immigrants caught driving without a license.

“Lest readers not understand anything else about the protest against police checkpoints, they should understand that I support law enforcement efforts to get drunken drivers off our roads. My problem is with our police taking advantage of the poorest people of our community by implementing an impound policy that is contrary to current law.”