Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged cocaine in three separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $527,340.
“Every drug seizure made by our CBP officers is meaningful as it is one less drug load that makes it to our streets and our communities,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
The first seizure took place on Thursday, Mar. 31, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 49-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2007 Mazda. 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), CBP officers discovered 10 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 26.32 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The second seizure took place on Friday, Apr. 1, also at the Gateway International Bridge when a 21-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2009 Mitsubishi. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system (NII), and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 12 packages hidden within the 2009 Mitsubishi. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 27.95 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The third seizure took place on Thursday, Apr. 7, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when an 18-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2006 Honda. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered six packages hidden within the 2006 Honda. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 14.1 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $202,980, $215,560, and $108,800 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.
