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  4. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Intercept Almost $2 Million in Cocaine

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Intercept Almost $2 Million in Cocaine

Release Date
Tue, 03/16/2010

Laredo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo port of entry intercepted nearly $2 million in cocaine this weekend at Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge.

The cocaine was seized on Saturday, March 13. A CBP officer referred a 1996 GMC van driven by a 36-year-old Mexican citizen from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon for a secondary inspection. A CBP canine "Sita" alerted officers to the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. CBP officers inspected the van which led them to the extraction of 25 bundles of cocaine concealed within the fuel tank. The cocaine, which weighed 61 pounds, has an estimated street value of $1.9 million.

CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle in this enforcement action and referred the matter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further investigation.

"Our officers' commitment to the CBP mission has resulted in the interception of this significant seizure," said Gene Garza, port director, Laredo, Texas. "We are dedicated to securing our borders and, in the process, keeping drugs off the streets."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021