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  4. Brownsville Port of Entry CBP Officers Seize $48 Million in Methamphetamine at Veterans International Bridge

Brownsville Port of Entry CBP Officers Seize $48 Million in Methamphetamine at Veterans International Bridge

Release Date
Thu, 10/28/2021

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Veterans International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged methamphetamine, hidden within a 1997 Freightliner truck.

“This substantial seizure illustrates the importance of remaining vigilant and our CBP officers used their experience and enforcement tools available in keeping these dangerous narcotics from entering our country,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Buckets containing nearly 2,445 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Buckets containing nearly 2,445 pounds of 
methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville
Port of Entry.

The seizure took place on Friday, Oct. 22, at the Veterans International Bridge when a 60-year-old male Mexican citizen applied for entry into the United States driving a 1997 Freightliner truck. The truck was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  In secondary, CBP officers discovered 62 buckets which contained a total of 2,444.92 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.

The estimated street value of the methamphetamine from the seizure is $48,898,072.

CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicle, arrested the driver and turned him 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 17, 2022