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  4. Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $156K Worth of Cocaine in Two Seizures

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $156K Worth of Cocaine in Two Seizures

Release Date
Wed, 05/19/2021

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged narcotics in two separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $156,570.

“Our officers continue their diligence in securing our borders as their vigilance and hard work help disrupt the flow of illegal drugs,” said (A) Port Director Bob Parker, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Packages containing nearly 16 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing nearly 16 pounds of cocaine
seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first seizure took place on Wednesday, May 12, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 23-year-old female United States citizen from San Benito, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2008 Ford.  The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive imaging system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered two packages hidden within the 2008 Ford.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 4.36 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second seizure took place on Friday, May 14, at the Gateway International Bridge when an 18-year-old male Mexican citizen from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, applied for entry into the United States driving a 1999 Ford.  The traveler was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive imaging system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered six packages hidden within the 1999 Ford.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 15.93 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $33,660 and $122,910 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.

Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on Twitter at @DFOLaredo, on Instagram at @dfolaredo and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Jun 22, 2023