EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers working at the El Paso ports of entry had a busy 48 hours leading to seven drug busts in a variety of concealment methods.
“CBP is committed to disrupting drug trafficking organizations’ attempts to smuggle narcotics through ports of entry and into our communities,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “CBP Officers are faced with an array of smuggling attempts and concealment methods. The Officers’ passion and dedication to our mission is critical in stopping contraband from entering our country.”
The first seizure occurred June 29, at the Ysleta port of entry when a 27-year-old United States citizen male arrived from Mexico in a 2008 Pontiac G6. CBP Officers selected the male for a secondary inspection. During this inspection, a CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and an X-ray examination revealed several anomalies in the vehicle’s dash area. A total of 27.27 pounds of cocaine were extracted from the vehicle.
The second seizure occurred June 29, at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing shortly before 3 p.m. A 19-year-old U.S. citizen male arrived from Mexico driving a 2004 Ford Ranger. CBP Officers selected the male for a secondary inspection. During this inspection, a CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and an X-ray examination revealed several anomalies in the gas tank of the vehicle. A total of 29.54 pounds of methamphetamine was extracted from the vehicle.
The third seizure occurred June 30, at the Ysleta port of entry shortly after 8 a.m. when an 23-year-old United States citizen male arrived from Mexico in a 2013 Nissan Altima. The primary CBP Officer selected the male for a secondary inspection. During this inspection, a CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and an X-ray examination revealed several anomalies in the vehicle’s quarter panels. A total of 8.07 pounds of cocaine were extracted from the vehicle.
The fourth seizure occurred June 30, at the Ysleta port of entry when an 18-year-old United States citizen male arrived from Mexico in a 2013 Chrysler 200. The primary CBP Officer selected the male for a secondary inspection. During this inspection, a CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and an X-ray examination revealed several anomalies in the vehicle’s backseat. A total of 30.25 pounds of cocaine were extracted from the vehicle.
The remaining three drug busts occurred at the Ysleta port of entry and the Paso Del Norte border crossing on June 29 and June 30. CBP Officers seized 7.05 pounds of methamphetamine and .011 pounds of heroin from three individuals with the drugs strapped to their bodies.
All subjects were arrested by CBP Officers and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement to face charges for the failed smuggling attempts.