LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized cocaine in separate, unrelated incidents that totaled over $380,000 in street value.
"The smuggling of illicit narcotics is a serious international health and security threat,” said Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry. “CBP will continue to intercept these dangerous drugs using every tool at our disposal.”
![Packages containing nearly 29 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge.](/sites/default/files/styles/webp_original_size/public/u412/nearly29lbscocWTB12521.JPG.webp?itok=iwvmw5QP)
seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge.
The first enforcement action occurred on January 24th at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge after a CBP officer referred a 2009 Chevrolet for a secondary inspection. The vehicle was driven by an 18-year-old female United States citizen who applied for entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered a total of seven packages containing 16.97 pounds of alleged cocaine within the vehicle. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $130,900.
The second seizure occurred on January 25th at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge after a CBP officer referred a 2009 Nissan for a secondary inspection. The vehicle was driven by a 25-year-old female United States citizen who applied for entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered a total of two packages containing 4.67 pounds of alleged cocaine within the vehicle. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $36,040.
The third seizure occurred at the World Trade Bridge, when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility referred a 2009 Kenworth tractor hauling a shipment of glass candles for a secondary examination. The tractor was driven by a 44-year-old male Mexican citizen who was making entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 11 packages containing 28.61 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the tractor. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $220,660.
The three interceptions have a combined street value of $387,600.
CBP seized the narcotics, two vehicles, and one tractor involved in the smuggling attempts. The drivers were arrested and 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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