Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. CBP Officers Intercept More Than 3 ½ Tons of Marijuana in Seizure at World Trade Bridge

CBP Officers Intercept More Than 3 ½ Tons of Marijuana in Seizure at World Trade Bridge

Release Date
Mon, 06/03/2019

LAREDO, Texas –Amid balmy weather and the start of the summer travel season, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized more than three and a half tons of marijuana in a single enforcement action at World Trade Bridge.

“This is quite a large seizure of marijuana and our Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations Todd Owen was visiting Laredo this week and got the chance to personally congratulate our frontline officers for their diligent work in securing the border in the cargo environment,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.  “The seizure reinforces the seriousness of the drug threat our officers face every day and our ongoing commitment to border security.”

Packages containing 7,272 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge
Packages containing 7,272 pounds of marijuana
seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge.

The seizure occurred on Tuesday, May 28 at the World Trade Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2019 Freightliner tractor hauling a commercial shipment of synthetic rubber for a secondary examination. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered 768 packages containing a total of 7,272 pounds of alleged marijuana hidden within the conveyance. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1.4 million.

CBP officers seized the narcotics and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-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: Feb 03, 2021