Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Ysleta international port of entry seized 42 pounds of cocaine July 20. The drugs were concealed in a vehicle being driven by a 21-year-old female U.S. citizen.
“Homeland security is our primary mission; but the tools and techniques we employ often help us stop drug smugglers in their tracks,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnie Gomez. “This is yet another example of how the work performed by CBP helps keep our communities safe.”
The seizure was made shortly before 4 p.m. when a 2001 Ford Explorer with a single female occupant arrived from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a secondary exam after a low energy portal scan identified anomalies in the appearance of the SUV.
A CBP drug sniffing dog searched the vehicle and alerted the officers to the presence of narcotics. CBP officers continued their exam and located a hidden compartment below the rear seat containing 10 bundles. The contents of the packages tested positive for cocaine.
CBP officers arrested the driver. She was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.
