EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso Field Office U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers continue to make noteworthy and unusual drug seizures including the discovery of a controlled substance hidden inside a toy doll.
“CBP Officers throughout West Texas and New Mexico are constantly on alert to find and stop threats posed against our nation,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “Finding hidden controlled medication in a doll is like finding a needle in a haystack and our officers succeeded in doing so.”
On May 7 CBP officers working at the Ysleta Port of Entry cargo facility selected a shipment that was manifested as cotton dolls for inspection. During examination, one of the dolls was found to have multiple pills secreted within. The tablets were identified as Stilnox which is a sedative-hypnotic controlled drug. The medication was seized and the investigation continues.
The same day, at the Bridge of the Americas, a 24-year-old U.S. citizen male was discovered to be transporting over 40 pounds of cocaine hidden in the floor of the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette he was driving. CBP officers employed a number of tools and resources to stop the smuggling attempt including a drug-sniffing canine, an X-ray scan, and officer experience and vigilance. The cocaine was seized and the subject was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to face federal charges.
Also, on May 7, CBP officers at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry where officers intercepted a female U.S citizen attempting to smuggle approximately three pounds of methamphetamine. The drugs were hidden in the undercarriage area of the car she was driving. She was also turned over to HSI to face federal charges and the drugs were seized.