BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged narcotics in three separate enforcement actions over the weekend that have a combined estimated street value of $2,066,242.
“We maintain a robust enforcement posture in order to keep our borders secure,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “I am proud of the outstanding enforcement efforts of our officers which led to the seizure of these dangerous drugs.”
methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at
Brownsville Port of Entry.
The first seizure occurred Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Gateway International Bridge, when CBP officers encountered a 26-year-old female United States citizen who resides in Alamo, Texas, as the driver of a 2010 Ford Taurus. The driver was referred to CBP secondary, for further examination after the primary inspection. With the help of a non-intrusive inspection system and canine unit, CBP officers discovered 10 packages hidden within the Ford Taurus. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 22.88 pounds of alleged cocaine that carry an estimated street value of $176,460.
The second seizure took place on Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Gateway International Bridge, when a man attempted entry as the driver of a white 2006 Nissan Titan pick-up truck. The driver, identified as a 19-year-old male United States citizen, along with a 24-year-old male United States citizen passenger were referred to CBP secondary, for further examination after a primary inspection. With the help of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 48 packages concealed within the vehicle, which contained a total of 90.35 pounds of alleged methamphetamine and have an estimated street value of $1,806,890.
The third seizure also occurred on Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Gateway International Bridge, when CBP officers encountered a 41-year-old female Mexican citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, as the driver of a 2017 GMC Arcadia. The driver was referred to CBP secondary, for further examination after the primary inspection. The additional effort resulted in CBP officers discovering one package hidden under the driver’s clothing. CBP officers removed the package, which contained a total of 4.14 pounds of alleged methamphetamine that carries an estimated street value of $82,892.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the drivers and passenger, and turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
However, seizing narcotics is not all Brownsville CBP officers did this weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 8, CBP officers working at the Gateway International Bridge rendered lifesaving aid to a United States citizen child. A United States citizen mother with her unresponsive child approached CBP officers working at the midpoint of the bridge. When the officers were appraised of the emergency, they immediately sprang into action administering first aid as they escorted both the mother and her child to the secondary inspection area where additional medical assistance was provided by onsite medical contract service while the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived on the scene. Thanks to the immediate first aid and medical assistance, the child became responsive. EMS later transported the child to a local hospital for care.
“Our officers are always alert and at the ready to render medical assistance whenever it is needed,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “I could not be more proud of our officers and their prompt action which once again have helped save a traveler’s life.”
For more information about CBP, please click on the attached link.