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  4. Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $743K Worth of Narcotics in Two Seizures

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $743K Worth of Narcotics in Two Seizures

Release Date
Thu, 02/18/2021

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted alleged narcotics in two separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $743,632.

“These significant narcotics seizures are a testament to our officers’ dedication and ongoing commitment to keeping our borders secure,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Packages containing 24 pounds of meth, nearly nine pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing 24 pounds of methamphetamine,
nearly nine pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers
at Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first seizure took place on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 37-year-old male Cuban citizen from Houston, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2004 Chrysler.  The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  In secondary, with the aid of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered three packages hidden within the 2004 Chrysler.  CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 6.96 pounds of alleged heroin.

The second seizure also took place on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 27-year-old female United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2010 Chrysler.  The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  In secondary, with the aid of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 21 packages which contained 24.25 pounds of alleged methamphetamine and four packages which contained 8.95 pounds alleged cocaine hidden within the 2010 Chrysler. 

The estimated street value of the narcotics seized is approximately $743,632.

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: Oct 07, 2022