LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized various types of narcotics in separate, unrelated incidents on Wednesday, May 27, that totaled over $650,000 in street value.
"The smuggling of illicit narcotics is a serious international health and security threat,” said Port Director Gregory Alvarez, Laredo Port of Entry. “CBP will continue to intercept these dangerous drugs through our vigorous enforcement actions.”
by CBP officers at Laredo's World Trade Bridge.
The first enforcement action occurred at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge after a CBP officer referred a 2007 GMC Yukon for a secondary inspection. The vehicle was driven by a 22-year-old male Mexican citizen who applied for entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered a total of four packages containing 5.15 pounds of alleged heroin and two packages containing 2.42 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the vehicle.
The second seizure occurred at the World Trade Bridge, when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility referred a 1995 International tractor hauling an empty reefer for a secondary examination. The tractor was driven by a 39-year-old male Mexican citizen who was making entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 217 packages containing 2,242.10 pounds of alleged marijuana concealed within the commodity.
The two interceptions have a combined street value of $654,815.
CBP seized the narcotics, vehicle, tractor and trailer involved in the smuggling attempts. Both drivers were arrested and the cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
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