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  4. Brownsville Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Narcotics Valued at $790K in Five Seizures

Brownsville Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Narcotics Valued at $790K in Five Seizures

Release Date

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted five loads of alleged narcotics this week. CBP officers discovered the alleged drugs, with a combined estimated street value of approximately $790,500, hidden within five vehicles.

“Our officers are doing an outstanding job in intercepting these dangerous narcotics,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry. “We remain vigilant as we keep our borders secure and keep these narcotics off our streets.”
 

Packages containing 33 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing 33 pounds of cocaine
seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of
Entry

The first seizure took place on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Veterans International Bridge, when CBP officers working primary encountered a man as he arrived as the driver of a white 2010 Toyota Camry. The driver, identified as a 30-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Los Fresnos, Texas, was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. With the help of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered seven packages hidden within the Toyota Camry. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 14.95 pounds of alleged cocaine with an estimated street value of $115,260.

The second seizure also took place on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, when CBP officers working primary encountered a male traveler as he arrived as the driver of a silver 2002 Hyundai Accent. The driver, identified as a 37-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. With the help of a non-intrusive imaging system and canine unit, CBP officers discovered three packages hidden within the Hyundai Accent. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 7.54 pounds of alleged cocaine with an estimated street value of $58,140.

The third seizure also took place on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, when a 53-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, arrived as the driver of a silver 2005 Chevy Equinox. After a primary inspection, the CBP officers referred the driver to secondary for further examination. With the help of a non-intrusive imaging system, CBP officers discovered eight packages hidden within the Chevy Equinox. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 15.17 pounds of alleged cocaine with an estimated street value of $116,960.

The fourth seizure took place on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Gateway International Bridge, when CBP officers working primary encountered a male traveler as he arrived as the driver of a gray 2017 Nissan Versa. The driver, identified as a 20-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. With the help of a non-intrusive imaging system and canine unit, CBP officers discovered 13 packages hidden within the Nissan Versa. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 33.11 pounds of alleged cocaine with an estimated street value of $255,340.

The fifth seizure also took place on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Gateway International Bridge, when CBP officers working primary encountered a male traveler when he arrived as the driver of a white 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix. The driver, identified as a 23-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. With the help of a non-intrusive imaging system, CBP officers discovered 13 packages hidden within the Pontiac Grand Prix. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 31.75 pounds of alleged cocaine with an estimated street value of $244,800.

The combined estimated street value of the narcotics from these seizures is approximately $790,500.

CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the drivers, and turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.

For more information about CBP, please click on the attached link.

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.

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  • Last Modified: February 3, 2021