LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Laredo Port of Entry seized narcotics valued at over $2.8 million in two separate, unrelated enforcement actions at both the World Trade and Colombia-Solidarity Bridges.
“The effort to secure our nation’s borders from illicit drugs is clearly illustrated in these interceptions. CBP continues to implement a robust border security enforcement posture which helps curb the flow of narcotics,” said Acting Port Director Eugene E. Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry.
![Packages containing 7,704 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge](/sites/default/files/u412/7704lbsmjWTB120820.png)
seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge.
The first narcotics interception occurred on Tuesday, December 8th when CBP officers assigned to the World Trade Bridge cargo facility encountered a tractor trailer with a shipment of rolls of carpet. The 2008 Freightliner tractor and its shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 1,186 packages containing 7,704 pounds of alleged marijuana within the shipment. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,414,824.
The second narcotics seizure occurred on Wednesday, December 9th when CBP officers assigned to passenger operations at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge encountered a privately owned vehicle traveling from Guanajuato, Mexico to Dallas, Texas. A 2003 Chevrolet Astro van was referred for a canine inspection, resulting in the discovery of 23 beer bottles totaling 73.1 pounds of alleged liquid methamphetamine hidden within baggage. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,462,091.
The narcotics combined have an estimated street value of $2,876,915.
CBP officers seized the narcotics. The cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
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