CBP Seize Hard Narcotics
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
LAREDO (News Release) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized hard narcotics in two separate, unrelated incidents that totaled over $3.5 million in street value.
“In an effort to secure our nation’s borders, as these narcotics seizures clearly illustrate, CBP has implemented enforcement strategies that have furthered the disruption of dangerous drugs entering the country,” said Acting Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry.
The first seizure occurred on Wednesday, May 26th, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2000 Chevrolet for a secondary examination. The vehicle was driven by a 29-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 three packages containing 167.37 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle. The narcotics and the vehicle we seized. The driver was arrested, and the case was turned over to state and local law enforcement officials for further investigation.
The second seizure occurred later that evening, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2007 Toyota Tundra for a secondary examination. The vehicle was driven by a 23-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 14 packages containing 21.16 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the vehicle. 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.
The narcotics combined had an estimated street value of $3,510,664.