LAREDO, Texas –U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at World Trade Bridge this week seized more than $214,000 in cocaine hidden in a bobtail tractor.
“Our officers continue to maintain strict vigilance of all traffic in the cargo environment and by applying discipline, experience and all our technological resources, our officers seized a significant amount of cocaine,” said (Acting) Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.
The seizure occurred on July 27 at World Trade Bridge. A CBP officer referred a 2009 Kenworth tractor with no trailer driven by a 28-year-old male Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico for a secondary inspection. During the examination, CBP officers employed all available tools and resources, including non-intrusive imaging systems and canines, and discovered 12 bundles containing a total of nearly 28 pounds of cocaine hidden within the tractor. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $214,540.
CBP officers arrested the driver and tuned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.