EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized methamphetamine and heroin in a variety of concealment methods in three separate busts.
“CBP is committed to disrupting drug trafficking organizations’ attempts to smuggle narcotics through ports of entry and into our communities,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “CBP Officers are faced with an array of smuggling attempts and concealment methods. The Officers’ passion and dedication to our mission is critical in stopping contraband from entering our country.”
The first seizure occurred June 12, at the Paso Del Norte border crossing when a 37-year-old United States citizen male and a 32-year-old U.S. citizen female arrived from Mexico in a Jeep. CBP Officers selected the duo for a secondary inspection. During this inspection, CBP Officers discovered that the female had drugs strapped to her pelvic area. The female was carrying one drug-filled bundle with .068 pounds of heroin and a second drug-filled bundle with .164 pounds of methamphetamine.
The second seizure occurred June 16, at the Paso Del Norte border crossing shortly after 5 p.m. A 38-year-old U.S. citizen female arrived from Mexico as a pedestrian. CBP Officers selected the female for a secondary inspection. During this inspection, two drug-filled bundles were discovered in the subject’s vaginal cavity and jacket.
The third seizure occurred June 16 at the Paso Del Norte border crossing at approximately 6:30 p.m. A 41-year-old U.S. citizen male arrived from Mexico in a MINI Cooper. CBP Officers selected the vehicle for secondary inspection. A CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and an X-ray examination revealed several anomalies in the vehicle’s quarter panels. CBP Officers extracted 14.9 pounds of methamphetamine from the vehicle.
All subjects were arrested by CBP Officers and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations to face charges for the failed smuggling attempts.