LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to work at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge seized methamphetamines in two unrelated enforcement actions with a combined value of more than $2.5 million this past Labor Day weekend.
Packages containing 51 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry.
“There was no day off for our CBP officers working at the international bridges this holiday weekend,” said Port Director Joseph Misenhelter, Laredo Port of Entry. “While many people spent time at home enjoying time with their family our CBP officers remained vigilant in protecting our borders.”
The latest incident occurred on Monday, Sept.7, when a CBP officer noticed discrepancies in a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. CBP officers referred the 27-year-old female United States citizen from Houston, TX and her vehicle for a secondary examination. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, CBP officers discovered a total of 16 bottles containing 79 lbs. of alleged liquid methamphetamine valued at $1,589,075.
The second incident occurred on Sunday, Sept. 6, when a CBP officer referred a 2012 Mazda 5 driven by a 52-year-old male Mexican citizen from Guanajuato, Mexico for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducted a closer examination, utilized a non-intrusive imaging system and discovered 51 lbs. of alleged crystal methamphetamine valued at $1,020,288.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and vehicles in each incident and arrested both subjects. The subjects and cases were then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.