Officers Seize Cocaine worth Over $380K
Press Release
LAREDO —U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized cocaine in separate, unrelated incidents that totaled over $380,000 in street value.
"The smuggling of illicit narcotics is a serious international health and security threat,” said Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry. “CBP will continue to intercept these dangerous drugs using every tool at our disposal.”
The first enforcement action occurred on January 24th at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge after a CBP officer referred a 2009 Chevrolet for a secondary inspection. The vehicle was driven by an 18-year-old female United States citizen who applied for entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered a total of seven packages containing 16.97 pounds of alleged cocaine within the vehicle. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $130,900.
The second seizure occurred on January 25th at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge after a CBP officer referred a 2009 Nissan for a secondary inspection. The vehicle was driven by a 25-year-old female United States citizen who applied for entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered a total of two packages containing 4.67 pounds of alleged cocaine within the vehicle. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $36,040.
The third seizure occurred at the World Trade Bridge when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility referred a 2009 Kenworth tractor hauling a shipment of glass candles for a secondary examination. The tractor was driven by a 44-year-old male Mexican citizen who was making entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 11 packages containing 28.61 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the tractor. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $220,660.
The three interceptions have a combined street value of $387,600.
CBP seized the narcotics, two vehicles, and one tractor involved in the smuggling attempts. The drivers were arrested and the cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.