Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $681K Worth of Narcotics
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
BROWNSVILLE (News Release) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged narcotics in three separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $681,596.
“Our officers use multiple enforcement tools to detect dangerous narcotics and prevent these deadly drugs from entering our country,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry..
The first seizure took place on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at Los Indios International Bridge when a 42-year-old male United States citizen who resides in San Benito attempted entry into the United States driving a 2009 Dodge. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. While in the secondary inspection area, with the aid of a non-intrusive imaging system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 10 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 24.2 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The second seizure took place on Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 47-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2000 Ford. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a canine unit and a non-intrusive imaging system (NII), CBP officers discovered nine packages hidden within the 2000 Ford. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 20.89 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The third seizure also took place on Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 23-year-old female United States citizen from Laguna Vista, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2011 Dodge. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive imaging system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 13 packages hidden within the 2011 Dodge. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 16.68 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.
The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $186,660, $161,160, and $333,776, respectively.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the travelers and turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
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