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  4. Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $618K in Narcotics in Three Seizures

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $618K in Narcotics in Three Seizures

Release Date
Fri, 12/11/2020

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged narcotics in three separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $618,520.

“Our CBP officers remain committed to keeping our borders secure and their hard work and dedication has led to the recent series of significant narcotics seizures,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Packages containing 33.55 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing 33.55 pounds of cocaine
seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of
Entry.

The first seizure took place on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Veterans International Bridge when a 46-year-old male United States citizen from Harlingen, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2004 Ford F-150.  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 14 packages hidden within the Ford F-150.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 33.55 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second seizure also took place on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 56-year-old male United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2006 Ford F-350 pick-up.  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 14 packages hidden within the Ford F-350.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 11.33 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The third seizure also took place on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 20-year-old male United States citizen from Yoakum, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu.  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 seven packages hidden within the Malibu.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 10 pounds of alleged black tar heroin.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $258,740, $87,380 and $272,400 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