Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted alleged narcotics in two separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $306,427.
“Every drug seizure big or small helps keep our borders secure and is one less load that reaches our streets,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
The first seizure took place on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 25-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2014 Ford. 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 inspection system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered one package hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the package which contained a total of 2.31 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The second seizure took place on Saturday, Sept. 24, also at the Gateway International Bridge when a 40-year-old female United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2009 Chevrolet. 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 inspection system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered nine packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 20.63 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $30,907 and $275,520, respectively.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the drivers and turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
