CBP Officers Seize Cocaine
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
LAREDO (News Release) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized cocaine in one enforcement action that totaled over $380,000 in street value.
Packages containing 49 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Laredo's Juarez-Lincoln Bridge.
“Drug smugglers go through great lengths to conceal drugs from our officers,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Narcotic interceptions, like this seizure of cocaine, remain a priority for the CBP border security mission.”
The seizure occurred on Thursday, August 26th, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2015 Ford Transit 470E for a secondary examination. The vehicle was driven by a 35-year-old male United States citizen making entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 20 packages containing 49.42 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the vehicle.
The narcotics had an estimated street value of $381,140.
CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle. The driver was arrested, and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.