EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry seized fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine over the last three days.
“The smuggling threat remains consistent and CBP officers continue to identify and stop significant drug loads on a daily basis,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “Every drug load that is stopped represents a substantial financial setback for the smuggling organizations who are attempting to introduce these dangerous items into our community.”
On June 6, CBP officers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted a vehicle with two occupants attempting to smuggle fentanyl. Upon a primary inspection of the vehicle driven by a 28-year-old male U.S. citizen, CBP officers discovered a bag filled with blue pills inside of a laundry basket. Once both travelers were secured, a CBP canine alerted to the odor of narcotics emitting from the passenger, a 34-year-old female U.S. citizen. The female admitted to carrying narcotics on her body and voluntarily removed two bundles filled with blue pills from her rectal cavity. A total of .44 pounds of fentanyl was seized from both individuals.
On June 7, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing intercepted 36.4 pounds of cocaine from an 18-year-old male U.S. citizen. CBP officers located multiple bundles hidden within the vehicle following a non-intrusive inspection and CBP canine alert.
Approximately one hour later, CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing intercepted a mixed load of hard narcotics. CBP officers inspected a vehicle driven by a 53-year-old female Mexican citizen. During a secondary search by a CBP canine and non-intrusive inspection, CBP officers discovered 21.12 pounds of methamphetamine, 12.72 pounds of fentanyl and 2.33 pounds of heroin concealed within the vehicle.
On June 8, CBP officers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted 14.41 pounds of fentanyl from a 28-year-old female U.S. citizen. CBP officers located multiple bundles hidden throughout the vehicle she was driving following a non-intrusive inspection and CBP canine alert.
The subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations or local authorities for prosecution.