Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Brownsville/Matamoros and Veteran's International Bridges seized 32.7 pounds of methamphetamine and 22.3 pounds of cocaine in three separate and unrelated enforcement actions. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine is $327,383 while the value of the cocaine is $716,054.
On May 7, 2010, officers working at the B & M International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2008 Mazda. The male driver was identified as a 21-year-old U.S. citizen from Brownsville, Texas. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and driver to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized nine methamphetamine packages and five cocaine packages that were found hidden within the Mazda sedan. The methamphetamine weighed 12.2 pounds and was valued at $183,532. The cocaine weighed 13.9 pounds and was valued at $447,974.
On May 8, 2010, officers working at the B & M International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1997 Nissan sedan. The driver was identified as a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Brownsville, Texas. After the initial primary examination, the male driver and vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized four cocaine packages that were found hidden within the vehicle. The weight of the cocaine was 8.8 pounds and was valued at $268,079.
On May 9, 2010, CBP officers working at the Veteran's International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2001 Ford SUV. The male driver was identified as a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston, Texas and was accompanied by 26-year-old U.S. citizen female, also from Houston. A CBP officer referred the travelers and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized six crystal methamphetamine packages that were found hidden within the Ford SUV. The crystal methamphetamine weighed 9.5 pounds and was valued at $143,850.
All three vehicles including the methamphetamine and cocaine were seized by CBP officers. The three men and one woman were transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further investigation.
Michael T. Freeman, CBP Port Director Brownsville, Texas said, "I commend our frontline officers for intercepting these drug loads. Our officers were focused and vigilant and their attention to detail prevented these drug loads from entering our country and our communities."
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 keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.