Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge discovered cocaine valued at approximately $489,600 concealed within a Toyota Tercel.
On Wednesday, May 14 at the Gateway International Bridge, CBP officers encountered a green 1997 Toyota Tercel driven by a 60-year-old male, Mexican citizen and resident of Olmito, Texas. A primary CBP officer referred the driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. At secondary, CBP officers discovered hidden packages within the Toyota. CBP officers removed six packages from the vehicle which had a combined total weight of 6.95 kilograms (15.3 pounds) of cocaine.
The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $489,600. CBP officers turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.
"Brownsville CBP officers stopped these dangerous narcotics from entering our country. I congratulate our officers for their vigilance and dedication to the protection of our nation," said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville port of entry.
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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.