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  4. Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $645K Worth of Narcotics in Two Seizures

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $645K Worth of Narcotics in Two Seizures

Release Date
Wed, 08/04/2021

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 $645,320.

“Our CBP officers used the available enforcement tools along with their experience and skills while conducting their inspections and were able to intercept these dangerous narcotics,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Packages containing 49 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing 49 pounds of cocaine seized by
CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first seizure took place on Monday, Aug. 2, at the Veterans International Bridge when a 21-year-old female United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2007 Dodge.  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 2007 Dodge.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 49.25 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second seizure also took place on Monday, Aug. 2, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 56-year-old male United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2007 Chevrolet.  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 15 packages hidden within the 2007 Chevrolet.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 34.43 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $379,780 and $265,540 respectively.

CBP officers seized the narcotics and vehicles, arrested the travelers, 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 23, 2023