EAGLE PASS, TEXAS—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry arrested a Mexican national Friday afternoon after finding more than $300,000 worth of drugs stashed in his vehicle.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, CBP officers at Eagle Pass International Bridge I inspected a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta as it arrived from Mexico. Officers directed the vehicle and driver, a 51-year-old Mexican citizen, to a secondary inspection area. Using a non-intrusive imaging system along with a CBP canine, officers found 25 packages hidden inside the car's body panels. Testing revealed the packages contained a total of 23.27 pounds of the narcotic methamphetamine, worth an estimated $349,140.
The case was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.
"CBP implements multiple layers of enforcement to prevent dangerous contraband from entering our country," said Cynthia O. Rodriguez, CBP port director, Eagle Pass. "Officer training and experience, coupled with excellent use of tools and resources made this seizure possible."
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation's ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.