BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged cocaine valued at approximately $35,700 during a routine examination. CBP officers discovered the alleged cocaine hidden within a reportedly stolen Jeep Cherokee.
Bundles containing 4.6 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge
“This alleged stolen vehicle and its driver were selected for an intensive inspection which resulted in the discovery of two packages of alleged narcotics being smuggled into the country. I congratulate our officers for their outstanding work in this seizure and arrest and the recovery of this stolen vehicle,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry.
On Sunday, April 5, CBP officers working primary at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge encountered a white 1993 Jeep Cherokee being driven by a man. A CBP officer conducting primary examinations referred the vehicle, its male driver, identified as a 48-year-old United States citizen who resides in Mercedes, Texas to secondary inspection for further examination after it was discovered that the vehicle he was driving was reported stolen. While in secondary, CBP officers discovered two hidden packages within the Jeep Cherokee. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which held a combined total weight of approximately 4.6 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $35,700. CBP officers arrested the driver, seized the narcotics and turned the vehicle and its driver over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
CBP Office of Field Operations at Brownsville Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.