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  4. Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $431K in Narcotics in Two Seizures

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $431K in Narcotics in Two Seizures

Release Date
Mon, 11/30/2020

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged narcotics in two separate enforcement actions with a combined estimated street value of $431,560.

“Our CBP officers remain committed to safeguarding our borders and the multiple narcotics loads seized in the past few days are a testament to their efforts,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Packages containing 50.75 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing 50.75 pounds of cocaine seized by
CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first seizure took place on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 20-year-old male United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a gray 2002 Kia Sedona.  The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  In secondary, with the aid of a canine, CBP officers discovered 177 packages hidden within the Kia Sedona.  CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 201.1 pounds of alleged marijuana.

The second seizure also took place on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Veterans International Bridge when a 28-year-old male United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States as the driver of a white 2006 Chrysler Pacifica.  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 20 packages hidden within the Chrysler Pacifica.  CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 50.75 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $40,220 and $391,340 respectively.

CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the drivers and the passenger 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