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  4. CBP Officers Seize Cocaine Hidden in Tractor at World Trade Bridge

CBP Officers Seize Cocaine Hidden in Tractor at World Trade Bridge

Release Date
Fri, 04/24/2015

LAREDO, Texas –U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo Port of Entry this week seized a load of cocaine hidden in the tractor of a driver enrolled in the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.

Bundles containing nearly 16 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers from a tractor cab at World Trade Bridge  in Laredo, Texas

Bundles containing nearly 16 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers from a tractor cab at World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas

“CBP extends front of the line privileges to drivers enrolled in FAST but also conducts spot checks to ensure compliance with the program. In this instance, CBP officers adhering to the adage “trust, but verify” discovered a cache of hard narcotics,” said Port Director Joseph Misenhelter, Laredo Port of Entry. 

The seizure occurred on April 23 at World Trade Bridge when CBP officers in the secondary express area selected a 2000 Freightliner driven by a 40-year-old Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico for a spot-check examination. During the examination, CBP officers discovered packages hidden within the tractor cab containing 15.6 pounds of cocaine. The estimated street value for the narcotics is $120,360. 

CBP officers seized the narcotics, arrested the driver and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021