EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso ports of entry seized approximately 50.53 pounds of methamphetamine and 15.83 pounds of cocaine in three separate busts.
“CBP is committed to disrupting drug trafficking organizations’ attempts to smuggle narcotics through ports of entry and into our communities,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “CBP Officers are faced with an array of smuggling attempts and concealment methods. The Officers’ passion and dedication to our mission is critical in stopping contraband from entering our country.”
The first seizure occurred May 26, at the Paso Del Norte border crossing when a 51-year-old Mexican male attempted to smuggle drugs concealed in the spare tire of his pickup truck. The man arrived from Mexico after 9 p.m. CBP Officers selected him for a secondary inspection. During this inspection, a CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the pickup truck. CBP Officers discovered 12 bundles of methamphetamine in the spare tire, weighing approximately 27.43 pounds.
The second seizure occurred on May 28 at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing shortly after 3 p.m. A 21-year-old U.S. citizen male arrived from Mexico in a SUV. CBP Officers selected the vehicle for secondary inspection. A CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and an X-ray examination revealed several anomalies in the vehicle’s quarter panels. CBP Officers extracted 23.1 pounds of methamphetamine from the vehicle.
The third seizure occurred on June 1, at the Ysleta Port of Entry shortly after 7:30 a.m. A 17-year-old U.S. citizen male arrived from Mexico in a compact car. CBP Officers selected the teen for a secondary inspection. A CBP drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and an X-ray examination revealed several anomalies in the vehicle’s rear seats and center console. CBP Officers extracted 15.83 pounds of cocaine from the vehicle.
Additionally, ports of entry continue to see an influx of arrests for wanted individuals within the El Paso, West Texas, and southern New Mexico regions. Arrests made included the following offenses: sexual assault of a child, parole violations, driving while intoxicated, and fugitive from justice.
All subjects were arrested by CBP Officers and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and local authorities to face charges for the failed smuggling attempts.