EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized 33 pounds of methamphetamine Monday. One person was arrested in the case.
“CBP officers are working hard to maintain the free flow of legitimate trade and travel while enforcing the laws of our nation,” said Beverly Good, CBP El Paso Port Director. “Every day CBP officers are identifying and stopping illegal activity at our ports of entry.
![Spare tire and bundles.](/sites/default/files/styles/webp_original_size/public/u413/march27methtire2.jpg.webp?itok=yPLXIeD5)
The methamphetamine seizure was made at approximately 6:30 a.m. at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing. A CBP officer at the primary inspection station directed the driver of a 1989 GMC Suburban to the secondary inspection area after noting a number of issues during the primary inspection. CBP officers scanned the vehicle with an x-ray system and noted anomalies in the appearance of the spare tire. CBP officers initiated an exam and located 14 bundles hidden in the tire. The contents of the packages tested positive for methamphetamine.
CBP officers took custody of the driver, a 49-year-old Mexican male. He was turned over to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department to face charges associated with the failed drug smuggling attempt.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.