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  4. Brownsville Port of Entry CBP Officers Seize Fentanyl at Gateway International Bridge

Brownsville Port of Entry CBP Officers Seize Fentanyl at Gateway International Bridge

Release Date
Thu, 10/22/2020

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged fentanyl, hidden within a 2008 Dodge Caliber.

“These are extremely dangerous drugs and our officers are committed to preventing them from entering our country,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

Packages containing more than five pounds of fentanyl seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing more than five pounds of
fentanyl seized by CBP officers at Brownsville
Port of Entry.

The seizure took place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 43-year-old male Cuban citizen applied for entry into the United States driving a 2008 Dodge Caliber.  The driver was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive imaging system and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered six packages which contained a total of 5.24 pounds of alleged fentanyl hidden within the vehicle.

The estimated street value of the fentanyl from the seizure is $146,915.

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.

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: Oct 26, 2023