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  4. CBP Officers in West Texas Make Large Meth Bust

CBP Officers in West Texas Make Large Meth Bust

Release Date
Fri, 07/02/2010

El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the port of entry in El Paso, Texas stopped a vehicle loaded with methamphetamine from entering the U.S. from Mexico on Wednesday.

"CBP officers seized these narcotics amidst heavy summer travel season traffic. Our officers remain alert each day as they protect our homeland," said William Molaski, CBP El Paso port director. "This is a great example of our officers utilizing our CBP Narcotic Detection Dogs to make these significant seizures.

The seizure was made at the Paso Del Norte international crossing at approximately 10:10 a.m. when CBP officers seized 48.29 pounds of methamphetamine from a 24-year-old male from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The seizure was made when a 2008 Dodge Avenger was selected for inspection during a pre-primary operation and CBP drug sniffing dog "Lady" alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers discovered 95 packages concealed in the fire wall of the engine compartment. The contents of the bundles tested positive for methamphetamines.

CBP officers at the port arrested the driver, Felipe Placencia Aguirre and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents to face federal charges including importation of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail where he is being held without bond.

A second seizure was made at approximately 16:32 p.m. when a 1994 International tractor-trailer hauling an empty refrigerated trailer entered the Bridge of the Americas cargo facility from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a gamma-ray exam and identified several anomalies in the appearance of the front wall of the trailer.

The vehicle was moved to the inspection dock where CBP drug sniffing dog "Ozzy" searched the trailer and alerted to the front wall. CBP officers inspected the front wall and found a false front compartment. CBP officers removed a total of 550 marijuana-filled bundles from the compartment. The seized marijuana weighed 605.88 pounds. No arrests were made and the investigation is continuing.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021