Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Brownsville International Bridges seized 154.5 pounds of marijuana and 8.2 pounds of cocaine in four separate and unrelated weekend drug seizures. The combined estimated street value of the marijuana is $123,533 while the value of the cocaine is $264,552.
On February 19, CBP officers working at the Los Indios International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1993 Chevy Silverado pickup truck. After the initial primary examination, the vehicle was referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, CBP officers seized 29 marijuana packages that were found hidden in the truck's gas tank. The marijuana weighed 60.2 pounds and the estimated street value is $48,501. CBP officers seized the marijuana and the pickup truck.
Later in the evening, CBP officers working at the Brownsville/Matamoros International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1995 Plymouth Grand Voyager van. After a primary examination, a CBP officer referred the Voyager van to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, CBP officers seized 25 marijuana packages that were found hidden in the vehicle's roof area. The marijuana weighed 54.3 pounds and the estimated street value is $43,474. In this action, CBP officers also seized the marijuana and the Voyager van.
On the next day, February 20, CBP officers working at the Brownsville Gateway International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2002 Pontiac Aztec SUV. While at primary, a CBP officer discovered packages hidden in the vehicle's roof. The inspection continued in secondary, where officers seized a total of 19 marijuana packages that were all found hidden in the Aztec's roof. The marijuana weighed 39.5 pounds and the estimated street value is $31,658.
On February 21, CBP officers working at the Los Indios International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2001 Ford Focus. After the initial primary examination, the vehicle was referred to secondary for further inspection.
In secondary, officers seized seven cocaine packages that were found hidden in the car's dash area. The cocaine weighed 8.2 pounds and the estimated street value is $264,552. CBP officers seized the cocaine and the Ford Focus.
All four incidents are under further investigation.
Michael T. Freeman, CBP port director in Brownsville said, "I commend our frontline officers for intercepting several drug loads that were all found hidden in passenger vehicles." Freeman further said," This is an example of our officers doing what we do best and that is seizing contraband."