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  4. Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $256K Worth of Cocaine in Two Seizures

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $256K Worth of Cocaine in Two Seizures

Release Date
Thu, 12/03/2020

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 $256,360.

“Our CBP officers have effected multiple narcotics seizures in recent days and remain committed to the security of our borders,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Packages containing nearly 20 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing nearly 20 pounds of cocaine
seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first seizure took place on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 39-year-old male Mexican citizen from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, applied for entry into the United States driving a green 1998 Chevrolet Blazer.  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), CBP officers discovered six packages hidden within the green Blazer.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 13.58 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second seizure also took place on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 37-year-old male United States citizen from San Benito, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a green 2009 Dodge Journey.  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 eight packages hidden within the green Dodge Journey.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 19.66 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $104,720 and $151,640 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.

For more information about CBP, please click on the attached link.

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: Feb 03, 2021