BROWNSVILLE, Texas— Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted two loads of alleged narcotics, with a combined value of $429,000, hidden within a 1999 Dodge truck and a 2015 Toyota Rav4.
“Our frontline officers’ outstanding attention to detail and great teamwork delivered a winning combination that resulted in the excellent interception of two hard narcotics loads just days apart,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry. “I congratulate our CBP officers for these seizures and arrests.”
Bundles containing nearly 21 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
The first seizure took place on Saturday, June 27 when CBP officers working at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a black 1999 Dodge truck driven by a 23-year-old United States citizen, who resides in Harlingen, Texas. After referring the vehicle to secondary for further examination, officers discovered 10 packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the pickup. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 20.81 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The second failed drug smuggling attempt occurred on June 29, when CBP officers working at the Veteran’s International Bridge referred a black 2015 Toyota Rav4, for a secondary inspection. While in secondary, CBP officers discovered six hidden packages within the vehicle occupied by the Sanford, North Carolina women, both 24-years-old. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 13.45 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.
The estimated street value of the narcotics from these seizures is approximately $160,000 and $269,000, respectively. In both cases, CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicles. CBP officers arrested those involved and turned them over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.