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  4. CBP Field Operations at Brownsville’s Gateway International Bridge Seizes Close to $500K in Cocaine

CBP Field Operations at Brownsville’s Gateway International Bridge Seizes Close to $500K in Cocaine

Release Date
Mon, 11/17/2014

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas arrested a 52-year-old woman from San Benito after discovering alleged cocaine in the Ford pickup she was driving.

“Our officers’ continued vigilance and outstanding commitment to help keep drugs from entering our country through the border has enabled us to intercept these narcotics at one of our international crossings,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry. “The small load concept appears to be the trend these days, but our frontline officers’ resilience will not be hindered.”

Bundles containing 13.43 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry

Bundles containing 13.43 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry.

The incident occurred on Nov. 13 after CBP officers working at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a female United States citizen driving a grey 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck. The female who arrived from Mexico was referred to secondary for further examination and it was there that officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics concealed within the Ford truck. Officers from OFO removed and seized five packages of alleged cocaine, weighing approximately 13.43 pounds which carry an estimated street value of $430,000 and seized the pickup as well.

CBP Field Operations arrested the adult female who was ultimately released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.

CBP’s Brownsville Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.

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